I’m going on a cruise in August and you better believe I’ll be packing a maxi dress, one of this summer’s hottest trends. Now I know many of you dread the idea of wearing a floor-length frock during the day, but let me try to, cough, minimize your maxi-dress fears:

First, yes, you can wear this look even if you are short. Flaunt your bosom, wear heels if you’d like, and choose a body skimming cut that drapes vertically to the ground - nothing flouncy.

Second, know where to wear one. Think summer parties, an outdoor concert, picnic, art festival, BBQ, day of shopping, or dinner date…just about any event with a casual-chic dress code is fair game.

Thirdly, don’t spend a lot on this trend. We found a ton of cute, cheap maxi dresses for well under $50 (with the exception of the dress from Mango featured above, which is on sale for $68.99.)

Lastly, if you’re not feeling this trend, and you feel like a damn fool when you test it out, just skip it. No use trying to push a trend that doesn’t make you feel fabulous, right?

[1] Forever 21 Paisley Chiffon Maxi Dress, $24.80
[2] Lulu’s* Cavanaugh Yaught Dress, $42
[3] ELLE Floral Maxi Dress at Kohl’s, Was $50 Now $36.99
[4] MangoShop “Amelia” (ref. 63439945), Was $139 Now $68.99
[5] The Summer Dress Store White/Green Long Dress, $40.50

Where does your worth truly come from? It is true that you are worthy, beautiful, lovely, adored, and cherished, but have you thought about HOW this is true? It is not about what you do, think, say, create, achieve, or look like in this world—even in the Christian world. It is solely about who He is—period. I think we are quick to say, “I know that it isn’t about me, it is about who HE is IN me.”—And yes, that is true, but it is FIRST about who He is. Even BEFORE He inhabits your being. Think about the Lord’s inherent worth and beauty and then consider how His invaluable beauty gives YOU worth.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD
Psalms 27:4a KJV