Although wearing dresses may seem off-limits for you during the winter, you may be able to widen your fashion horizons after reading this article. For many, wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts is much more desirable for the winter months, but you may get bored with your outfits this way. Instead, you can use what you already have in your closet to build gorgeous winter outfits. Don’t ditch your summer dresses—explore these fabulous ways to style your dresses in the winter.
Wear a Turtleneck Underneath
Even if you believe you must leave your summer dresses in the back of your closet, you should think twice before doing so. To make your summer dresses winter friendly, you can wear a turtleneck or another long-sleeved top underneath the dress for extra warmth.
Consider a neutral undershirt to avoid clashing with the dress. With this strategy, you can wear much more of your clothing year round and avoid overstuffing your closet with unnecessary items.
Fleece-Lined Leggings Are Your Best Friend
There’s nothing worse than getting cold legs during the winter months, which is the most common reason many people build their winter outfits around jeans and other pants. However, you can keep it interesting by opting to wear your favorite dress, despite the weather.
Fleece-lined leggings allow you to maintain a dressy and adorable look, but they also keep you nice and warm. Fleece-lined leggings will become your very best friend if you enjoy wearing dresses in cold-weather conditions, as your legs won’t be subject to the cold.
Top It With a Sweater
If you have a tank dress, you can make it a winter outfit by layering your favorite cropped sweater over it. Although this may be outside of your fashion comfort zone, you’ll look extra fabulous in this outfit that provides incredible dimension and depth.
In fact, wearing a red or green sweater over a black dress is one of the best outfits for the holiday season. This wardrobe combination looks like a complete top and a long skirt outfit. Pair this ensemble with your favorite winter accessories for an unstoppable winter look!
Wear a Coat, Jacket, or Cardigan
When in doubt, just rock a coat, jacket, or cardigan over your summer or fall dress options. Whether you prefer a statement coat, a denim or leather jacket, or a puffy soft cardigan, they will help you look great and stay warm this season.
Consider adding some jewelry and other accessories to personalize your adorable outfit. Although adding a jacket may not lead to the most intricate outfit, it adds just enough to transform your summer dress into a stylish winter-weather delight.
Rock Over-the-Knee Boots
Your feet are incredibly important when it comes to staying warm. Believe it or not, your whole body is more likely to feel warm and comfortable if your feet are warm. Therefore, investing in high-quality boots is a must, especially if you live in one of the colder states.
Over-the-knee boots aren’t for everyone, but they’re an excellent addition to your closet if you want to wear dresses in the winter months without leggings. Because these boots cover more than half of your leg, you’ll stay warm and fashionable throughout the chilly months. As a bonus, they also help make a statement in your personal style.
Wear Your Favorite Scarf
Scarves are an excellent way to add a focal point to your outfit. Whether you’re going out for brunch or doing another winter activity, you’ll look stylish when you add a patterned scarf to an otherwise plain dress. Plaid is a classic fall and winter pattern that will pair well with any plain dress.
Furthermore, scarves work to keep your neck, face, and chest warm when you walk outside. With a scarf on, you’ll stay stylish and cozy! Consider investing in a high-quality scarf for the season if you don’t have one already.
Use Warm Accessories
Aside from scarves, you can choose from a few other warm accessories to style your dresses for winter. Whether you want to wear a cozy winter beanie, a pair of adorable mittens, or snow boots, you’ll stay warm and look great this holiday season. Consider getting accessories to match your coat to curate a stylish matching set.
Wear Cozy Socks
As previously mentioned, keeping your feet warm is the best way to keep your entire body warm. With that said, you should consider investing in several pairs of long, fuzzy socks. Even if you wear boots or booties, you can maximize their warming benefits by sliding into your favorite winter-weather socks first. Whether you prefer fuzzy, thick, wool, or synthetic socks, you’ll be able to stay warm and cozy throughout the winter months, even in a dress.
Wear a Slip Underneath
Wearing a slip underneath your dress may not seem like the most practical option. However, this is an incredibly smart strategy if you need to keep warm. Although a slip is just a thin piece of fabric, it gives you the necessary layer to continue wearing your southern boutique dresses throughout the cold season. While you may not think you need one, you should consider wearing the extra layer to see if it makes a difference in how quickly the cold air gets to you. This is most important if you have an extra thin dress.
Choose a Sweater Dress
Sweater dresses are one of the best options when it comes to dressing up in the winter season, as they are a complete outfit made entirely of sweater material. Whether you wear it on its own, pair it with your favorite coat, or wear fleece-lined leggings underneath, you’ll love the comfort a sweater dress can provide.
To really dress up, you should consider getting a green or red sweater dress with a turtleneck design to wear for your holiday parties and other gatherings. You’ll look great and stay warm, and you can pair it with a scarf or simple jewelry to add an extra flair.
Now that you have ten ways to style your dresses in the winter, you’re ready to build beautiful outfits regardless of the weather. Lots of people have a different wardrobe for every season, but that’s not necessary if you don’t want it to be. Use what you already have in your closet to extend your outfit possibilities throughout all seasons. You never know what you already have for other seasons that will work for winter as well. Have fun trying these ideas out! We hope you stay warm, happy, and healthy this holiday season.
