You might not have heard the term maximalism before, but we bet you've seen the bold looks that are inspiring the movement. Fashion girls everywhere are ditching the neutral tones and clean lines of a minimalist aesthetic for a louder approach to dressing that involves graphic prints, ruffles on everything, and exaggerated silhouettes (oversize sleeves, anyone?).
Now is not the time to hold back on this season's most daring trends. We've broken down three of the biggest ways to dress like a maximalist for fall and exactly how you should be wearing them. While curvy, short, and tall shapes are highly generalized body types, we hope to give you a little bit of personalized inspiration on how you can try these trends in a way that works best for you.
Don't think a bold maximalist look is for you? Think again. You can dress for your body and stay super current with just a few styling tips. Read on to learn more and shop selected pieces.
Ruffles have easily become this season's top trend—they're everywhere. But they're often tricky to style, which is why we're breaking down tips on how to wear them for curvy, short, and tall body types.
For the curvy girl
The ruffled hem on these pants balances curvy hips.
Even subtle ruffle accents can make a statement.
The high waist and midi length on this skirt are super flattering.
For the short girl
Don't be afraid to play with volume here. The small stripes on this top help to balance out the big ruffles.
The asymmetric hem works to lengthen your legs, and the ruffles add just a bit of shape.
You can't go wrong with a wrap dress, and we love the ruffle accents on this one.
For the tall girl
Elongated ruffles won’t overwhelm your tall shape, so you can pile on the vertical ruffle accents.
Strong shoulders make this jumpsuit a standout piece.
A horizontal ruffle balances out your height—and this bodysuit is too chic to pass up.
Prints can be one of the hardest things to style, as they can easily look unflattering if not chosen carefully. For example, avoid wearing horizontal stripes if you're on the shorter side (vertical stripes typically lengthen any body type). And when in doubt, bigger is better when it comes to prints.
For the curvy girl
Larger graphics work on a curvy shape.
For the short girl
Cropped pants that show a bit of ankle will work to lengthen your legs.
This fit-and-flare style is so flattering.
A cropped hem shows off your waist and accentuates your figure.
For the tall girl
Cropped pant legs are universally flattering, and we love the orange hue of this pair.
A midi-length skirt that hits below the knee is best for tall shapes.
Don't be afraid to try bold, allover prints.
With dramatic hemlines and asymmetric tailoring, this is one of our favorite trends yet. And just like with ruffles, knowing how to execute the exaggerated silhouette can be tricky, but the payoff is worth it. It's always best to add the eye-catching drama to your best-looking features.
For the curvy girl
This wrap top cinches at the waist, while the long ties draw the eye down to lengthen out your figure.
These bell sleeves are an elegant and understated way to try this overstated trend.
The high waist and slight taper give these voluminous pants a great shape.
For the short girl
Miniskirts are a short girl's best friend (hello, legs!), and this Balenciaga one brings the drama.
This might just be your new going-out top.
A cropped style shows off your figure instead of hiding it. We love the contrast stitching on this jacket.
For the tall girl
These sleeves are major—and won't overwhelm you.
A corset? A jacket? A jacket-corset? You decide.
Pretty enough to wear to dinner, bold enough to wear for fashion week. Which bold fall trends are you daring enough to try? Show us your best maximalist outfits by using #WhoWhatWearing on Instagram!