Maxi-mum Effort

It's been a long time coming. The dramatic swish of fabric against the ground. The splash of brightly coloured toenails peeping out from under a curtain of material. The royal salute as the maxi skirt raises a (floor length) fist to its forgotten sister, the mini skirt, sulking in the corner - I made it, I'm here to stay.

'Dare to bare' is no longer the way forward. Chuck your fake tan (and your razor if you're so inclined) to the back of your wardrobes ladies, the legs are officially covered up for summer.

More often than not, a look that is truly raved about following a season of catwalk shows, does not land in the high street with such a successful bang. However, it would appear that after a couple of seasons of hard graft, the maxi and midi skirts have finally made that massive leap from catwalk favourites to high street must-haves.

You'll certainly look a lot more grown up in a maxi skirt - not to mention feel a massive burst of relief when your already pasty pins (speaking from experience here) are showcasing a particularly hideous blue hue on a perfect summer day. But - and this is a big but - they're not easy to wear.

Your shoes have to be flat, or wedged, with a floor length skirt - heels and long skirts are only acceptable when you're wearing a gown. Note the difference. Walk the red carpet = heels. Walk through the city on a summer day = flats. One of the absolute essentials is getting your top half right - if you don't want to end up looking like a hippy (which, by the way, is not what this season's maxi is all about it, we are not channelling Nicole Ritchie again) you have to go for a more structured look. Think a crisp white blouse tucked into your skirt ala the fabulous Tilda Swinton in devine Jil Sander at this year's Golden Globes. Or think simply of Jil Sander's Spring/Summer runway show where the models teamed their eye popping neon maxis with plain white cotton t-shirts tucked in. Add an eye-catching, but not over-the-top, belt to give your outfit a bit more definition. If you want to go for a slightly more feminine floaty look, head straight to American Apparel for a body or leotard to give your outfit a ballerina feel.

With midi skirts, which are somewhat harder to wear than maxis, the top look is pretty much the same - keep it simple, keep it tucked in. But what about your feet? Slouchy knee high boots look amazing, they give a wistful and romantic look to the skirt but in the height of summer they're not so easy to wear without your feet swelling up like balloons so instead try a simple ballet pump to show off your ankles (fake tan optional).

So ladies, it's time to step away from those minis - you don't want to look like you've forgotten to put your skirt on in the morning do you - and chuck your dresses (yes your dresses, no longer will you just chuck on a one-piece and be done with it, this requires thought) to the back of your closet until next season - the maxi is back(si)...

Whistles Skirt

Reiss Skirt

Jill Sander SS11 show

Tilda Swinton

ASOS Collection Chiffon Maxi

ASOS Jersey Midi