The maxi dress remains a perennial wardrobe staple because of its sheer versatility. While many lean on heavy layering to style these floor-skimming pieces, a more modern approach is to let the silhouette speak for itself with thoughtful accessories and intentional footwear.
By looking back at two distinct moments in Beverly Hills, we can see how Olivia Munn utilizes the maxi dress to bridge the gap between casual daywear and polished glamour.
The 2014 Approach: Monochromatic Minimalism and the “Nudist” Sandal
In April 2014, Munn opted for a streamlined, all-black ensemble that remains a blueprint for effortless city dressing. Eschewing the traditional bright palette of spring, she chose a slinky black maxi dress that prioritized fit over frills.
Olivia Munn effortlessly styles a black maxi dress with Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals and a chic crossbody bag, showcasing minimalist elegance
The success of this look lies in the restraint of the styling. By pairing the dress with Stuart Weitzman’s iconic Nudist sandals and a structured crossbody bag, the outfit feels intentional rather than basic.
This minimalist styling approach is echoed in other Your Next Shoes features where the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandal is paired with longer, flowing silhouettes to maintain a clean, uninterrupted line. In Rita Ora’s grid-patterned maxi dress look, the barely-there heels allow the bold print to take center stage, reinforcing how the Nudist works best when it visually “disappears” beneath statement fabric.
A similar principle applies on the red carpet, where long gowns demand balance rather than competition. In Olivia Wilde’s sculptural Roksanda gown, the Nudist sandal complements the fluid, full-length silhouette without interrupting its movement, highlighting why stylists consistently rely on this design for elongation and proportion.
Olivia Munn looks effortlessly chic in a black maxi dress, accessorized with a stylish crossbody bag and elegant gold jewelry
It’s an unstudied look that proves a monochromatic base is the most reliable canvas for high-quality leather accessories.
Olivia Munn showcases effortless style in a black maxi dress, paired with Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals and a sleek crossbody bag, exuding minimalist elegance in Beverly Hills, California, on April 22, 2014 (Credit: WENN)
Olivia Munn’s coordinates included a Nasty Gal “Moxy” maxi dress, Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” single-band sandals, and a Stella & Dot “Tia” crossbody bag.
Olivia Munn’s effortlessly chic look includes the Nasty Gal “Moxy” maxi dress, Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” single-band sandals, and the Stella & Dot “Tia” cross-body mosaic tile bag
The 2013 Transition: Bold Prints and Graphic Straps
A year earlier, in April 2013, Munn took a more vibrant approach to the maxi silhouette while out in Beverly Hills. This look serves as the perfect counterpoint to her minimalist black dress, leaning into the energy of the season through color and pattern.
Olivia Munn brings effortless summer polish to a bold, geometric-print maxi dress, styled with oversized sunglasses, a sleek topknot, and minimal sandals that keep the focus on the statement silhouette
This “Kitty Cat” dress by Lovers + Friends centers on a warm orange palette and a geometric print.
While the front is high-impact, the design’s real strength is the back—featuring double crisscross straps that add a graphic, architectural element to an otherwise breezy garment.
Julianne Hough keeps it crisp in a white blouse and pastel trousers, while Olivia Munn stuns in a bold, patterned maxi dress as the duo visits a nail salon in Beverly Hills on April 3, 2013
Matched with oversized sunglasses and gold hoops, the outfit is a reminder that a well-chosen print does the heavy lifting for you. It’s a reliable formula for warm-weather dressing: one statement piece, pulled-back hair, and a classic sandal.
Lovers + Friends “Kitty Cat” Printed Maxi Dress, originally priced at $206, featuring a vibrant geometric motif and striking crisscross open-back design that adds a bold, architectural edge to its breezy silhouette
The Enduring Power of the Maxi Dress—And the Shoes That Define It
Across both looks, Olivia Munn demonstrates that the true versatility of a maxi dress lies not just in the silhouette, but in the footwear that anchors it. Whether styled with barely-there “naked” sandals for a sleek, elongated effect or paired with more expressive designs that complement bold prints, the right shoes transform a simple dress into a complete, intentional look.
These two moments in Beverly Hills highlight a timeless styling principle: when the dress sets the tone, the shoes refine the message. From minimalist monochrome to vibrant statement dressing, it’s the balance between fabric and footwear that ultimately defines the outfit’s impact.
For more inspiration on how celebrities style maxi dresses with everything from flat sandals to statement heels, explore the curated stories below.
👠 Explore Maxi Dress Shoe & Fashion Stories:
- 🌿 Hilary Duff’s tie-dyed maxi dress and flat sandals offers an easy lesson in how relaxed footwear can still keep a casual maxi look pulled together.
- 🌺 Shay Mitchell’s floral Flynn Skye maxi dress pairs breezy bohemian print with Valentino Rockstud sandals for a sharper, more elevated summer finish.
- ☀️ Jennifer Lopez’s La DoubleJ maxi dress and Gucci heels leans into bold print and glossy accessories for a more glamorous take on warm-weather maxi styling.
- 🧺 Nicky Hilton’s floral maxi dress with raffia sandals captures an easy daytime formula built around texture, natural tones, and flat summer shoes.