Francesca is of two minds about  the lately-ubiquitous maxi dresses.

On one of the hands, they smack too closely of the 1970′s, and though it was the decade of Francesca’s birth, she feels that, sartorially, they are best left behind.

On the other of the hands, Francesca can see that the tall, bold Big Girl can rock this style.

On the third of the hands, their empire waists and long skirts are a nightmare for Apple-shaped petite girls like the Francescaness.

Maxi dresses: Yes or No? What say you?

If yes, what is your shape and height, and where would you wear this style?

Our fellow blogger Marianne Kirby has written an excellent refresher course on travel tips for the Big Girl. Be sure to read the comments.

FYI, you can easily purchase your own seatbelt extender on Amazon, here or here, to ensure you will always have one even if the airline does not.

Okay, so I’m not even going to pretend I didn’t spend half my morning looking for sexy pictures of birthday boy Andy Griffith in an attempt to do a Monday Hotness: Mayberry Edition but y’all, and I say this after EXTENSIVE INTERNET RESEARCH, there just are no sexy pictures of Andy Griffith on the internet.* None. He’s a good looking man, but he’s just too aww-shucks goofy to ever bring anything approximating hotness.

So what’s the next logical progression? Adam Ant!

Mr Ant, née Stuart Leslie Goddard was a bit before my time pop idol speaking, but my stars and garters that was a good-looking man.

Not only was he in what is clearly one of the GREATEST COMMERCIALS EVER

(this is the European cut with a surprise ending!)

he also did a great Jane Russell.

(incidentally, Ms Russell –in one of the famous publicity stills for The Outlaw– was wearing the world’s first push-up bra, supposedly created by Howard Hughes out of structural steel. My breasts and my spotless driving record salute you, Mr Hughes!)

Just beautiful. Also I totally want to do my guest bathroom in that wallpaper.

Okay, I’m a little weirded out by this one because he looks shockingly like a fine young priest I know. Emphasis on the FINE.  He and his equally hot wife and I would take my Cadillac and go down to Lockhart for a Saturday afternoon full of barbecue and antiquing. He wore a white silk scarf as favored by the posher pilots in WWI and it suited him perfectly. That’s called panache, folks.

He also predated the Balmain military jacket phase that is current running rampant all over Vogue. and to better effect, might I add.

So there, that’s not the Monday Hotness I wanted, but it’s the Monday Hotness I’ve got, and if  YOU have any hot pictures of Andy Griffith, send ‘em on over. I WILL make this happen.

*Yes, I just got paid to write that sentence. How awesome is my life?

Sydney’s Closet will take 10% off purchases of $50 or more, through June 15, with code SUMMER09. They also announce the arrival of new summer dresses. Their sale page is here. Note if you wear size 30/32: They still have a few of the insanely popular Igigi Brigitte mod dress in red/black, which is no longer available at the Igigi site.

Note to high school sophomores and juniors: many of this year’s prom dresses are now on sale. It is a good time to buy a dress for next year’s prom. Again, the sale page at Sydney’s Closet is here.

Alight is having their summer sale, with prices marked down up to 80%.

Igigi is having  a huge sale on evening dresses, ENDING TODAY at noon PST. They also are giving free shipping through June 13 on orders over $50. Act now to get the dress you need for that evening wedding in August, or think ahead to Christmas and New Year’s.

Saks is offering free shipping with any purchase through June 8, with code SAKSSHIP9. Their plus-size women’s clothing (sizes 14-24) is here. Plus-size sale items here.

Swimsuits for All has new swimsuits and coverups
in their sale category, and if you spend $100 or more and use code maxi15, they will take $15 off your purchase.

Chico’s will take $25 off your purchase of $100 or more with code 6529. Ends June 7. Also, FYI, they have taken 25% off the prices of their wrinkle-free jackets and, through TODAY, 25% off their Soma Intimates activewear, swimsuits, and t-shirt bras.

Lane Bryant sale on swimwear, and they have announced new arrivals.

Avenue is selling casual summer items for $20 each and has announced their Summer Sale.

JC Penney is having a clearance sale. Women’s plus-size and petite-plus clothing is here.

Roaman’s will give you free shipping on any order with code RDSHIPPING. Ends TODAY.