How To Wear A Dress In Cold Weather
With a little creativity, you can wear almost any dress in cold weather. Remember the nineties trend of wearing a t-shirt under a strappy summer dress? That trend is back in style and is one way to extend your summer wardrobe. It’s a fun trend, but if you have a mature style and body, it can easily look frumpy.
If you start with a dress that is seasonless (i.e. in a fabric that isn’t too heavy for warm weather or light for cold weather), it’s a little easier to style. My favorite dresses to wear in cold weather are:
A solid or printed dress that gives you enough room to wear layers underneath. Choose any length, from mini to maxi.
Or
A fitted dress that falls just above the knees. A sleeveless version is easiest, but sleeves work too as long as they are snug.
For this post, I’m styling two dresses that I already own: my Snakeskin Print Dress (similar one available here) and my Everlane Party Of One Dress (available here.)
Option 1: Swap Sandals For Boots
Some cozy boots may be all that you need to warm up your outfit. This year you’ll find every style of boots from sleek ankle boots to chunky combat boots, from barely-there shooties to over-the-knee boots. If you have the extra room, add some cozy wool blend socks.
My Lucky Brand boots are from a few years ago, but these are similar.
Option 2: Add Warm Baselayers
If you have a dress that isn’t fitted, then start with some warm base layers. Add a camisole in silk or wool knit (that has a snug fit.) Both are fibers that help you stay warm without adding much bulk.
For extra warmth, wear a long-sleeved base layer under a a long-sleeved dress. A couple of years ago, I bought Uniqlo’s Heattech Crew Neck T-Shirt which is made from a polyester blend. If you prefer natural fibers, consider L.L.Bean’s Women’s Silk Underwear. Just make sure you have a next-to-skin fit so that you don’t have any bulk or bunching up, under your dress.
(For more information about silk versus polyester, read this post: The Beauty And Benefits of Silk.)
You can also wear pantyhose or opaque tights to keep your legs warm. I tend to snag my hosiery pretty much every time I put them on, so I don’t spend a lot of money on them. Control top ones are staples for my wardrobe.
Option 3: Carry A Wrap
If your dress has loose sleeves, you may not be able to fit a cardigan or jacket over it, so consider a wrap. For a dressy look, opt for a clean, smooth cashmere wrap like C By Bloomingdale’s Cashmere Travel Wrap which comes in 15 colors!
You could also wear a poncho which has a little more shape to it than a rectangular wrap.
Barefoot Dreams makes some innovative wraps with pockets for casual looks.
Option 4: Add A Cardigan
A cardigan works best over a more fitted dress, like my Party Of One Dress. My cardigan is from Banana Republic from last year, however, their new Birdseye Duster Cardigan Sweater and Silk Cotton Long Cardigan Sweater are similar.
If you are looking for more casual looks, try these Barefoot Dreams options:
Option 5: Wear A Cropped Blazer Or Jacket
A classic blazer is an easy way to create a polished look, but if you don’t want your dress to disappear under one, try a cropped jacket.
My cropped coat is an old one from Banana Republic so here are some options that are available now:
$ For a casual look, try a classic denim jacket with sherpa trim.
$$ Anthropologie’s LeaHoundstooth Shimmer Cropped Coat is a classic feminine coat.
$$$ You can’t go wrong with a Classic Leather Moto Jacket or a Vegan Leather Biker Jacket.
$$ Even a quilted jacket can look good with a dress if it has a slim fit!
With all these options, you’ll be able to keep wearing your dresses even when the leaves start to fall. Leave me a comment below to let me know whether you like to wear a dress in cold weather, and your favorite tricks to staying warm!
If you liked this post, please sign up for my newsletters! About once a week, I’ll send you more fashion, beauty and lifestyle ideas that are easy to add to your busy life.
