With cooler weather on the horizon, you may be shuffling your wardrobe to prepare for the cold days. Although you can trade your adorable dresses for long pants and sweaters, you don’t have to ditch them entirely. Knowing how to style your dresses for cooler days is the ultimate way to utilize more of your wardrobe for extended periods. Follow the best tips and tricks to stay warm in your favorite dresses!

Trade Your Tights for Fleece-Lined Leggings

Tights are a great addition to any dress outfit but don’t always provide adequate warmth and comfort in the cooler months. With that in mind, you should swap them for warm fleece-lined leggings. They come in many colors, patterns, and styles, making it easy to find a pair to match your dress. Whether you wear flats or boots on the bottom, leggings look stylish.

Wear Warm Outerwear

You shouldn’t limit those southern boutique dresses to spring and summer; when the weather changes, you can top your outfit with a stylish coat to stay warm outdoors. Whether you go for a bulky fleece coat or a distressed denim jacket, you’ll look fabulous and stay comfortable in the crisp fall weather.

Don’t be afraid to layer; if you want to wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless dress, consider wearing a long-sleeved top. You can also wear a light jacket or cardigan underneath a heavier coat if you need a more lightweight layer indoors.

Rock a Bulky Scarf

There’s nothing better than rocking a bulky scarf to keep you warm, and it serves more than one purpose. If you want a more casual look, consider topping your t-shirt dress with a cozy knit scarf and a denim jacket. On the other hand, you can dress up your look by wearing a large silk scarf around your shoulders like a shawl.

Wear Taller Boots

If you’re not a fan of leggings or tights under your dresses, your legs might get pretty chilly in the cooler months. However, you can cover most of your legs by wearing knee- or thigh-high boots, which leaves only a small part of your bare legs exposed to the cool air. Tall boots may not be your cup of tea, but you should know they’ll elevate your outfit and keep you warm.

After learning how to style your dresses for cooler days, you can wear a dress any time—regardless of the weather. When you cross seasons with your wardrobe, you get the most possible wear out of each clothing item. With that in mind, you can justify buying a new dress for a fall event because you can wear it anytime.

Laine Spruiell