Don’t you hate it when winter rolls round and your beautiful summer dresses get relegated to the back of the wardrobe?
It’s likely that you have one or two favourites in particular – those versatile dresses that are always just perfect for a variety of occasions. The kind of dress that you can rely on to take you from the office to a night out to a weekend lunch date while always looking on point.
But what if I told you that your favourite dress doesn’t have to be hidden until the sun returns? The beauty of a dress is that you can often add layers without altering the way it fits and falls on your body, turning it into an ideal winter dress option too.
Want to make your favourite dress season-proof? Follow these tips and tricks for getting wear out of a dress all year round.
1. It’s what’s underneath that counts
The easiest way to turn your summer frock into a winter wardrobe winner is to add a long-sleeve crew neck slip underneath your dress. This will work for a variety of styles, but tunics, shirt dresses and slip dresses in particular will look great. Black is generally a safe option, as it will coordinate well with a number of pieces, particularly if you have a dress with a sheer fabric. For added warmth, hunt down a slip in merino wool – you’ll know that you’ll be able to wear your dress without having to worry about adding extra layers on top. Add a scarf and some boots and your look is complete!
2. Get a leg up
Add leggings or tights to your outfit to keep your legs covered and warm. Add long boots and a scarf and you’ve got the perfect winter look for an evening out. Closed-toe heels will work perfectly with stockings, but if you want to mix it up, choose a footless legging with an open or closed-toe heel or ankle boot. Consider choosing wet-look or leather-look leggings or ponte pants to add some sass to your outfit – it’s a hot look for this winter.
3. Turtle power
Nail the warmth factor while still rocking your favourite frock by layering your dress with a long-sleeved turtleneck – a look that is bang on-trend for the season. A turtleneck works particularly well with scooped or v-neck dresses, and will keep you snug while looking stylish. Depending on the style of your dress, this look will generally be smart enough to wear to work. In fact, it often transforms summer dresses into more work-safe pieces by eliminating plunging necklines or bare shoulders.
4. Luscious layers
Of course the easiest way to keep your favourite dress on rotation through winter is to add warm layers on top. A cardigan or shrug is a simple fix – choose a fabric such merino wool, which is super snug but doesn’t feel bulky or scratchy on your skin. If you’ve already added your long-sleeve slip, give yourself some extra coverage with a plush faux-fur vest for a stylish and edgy look. Complete your outfit with leggings and boots and you’re ready to step out in any weather.
5. Blaze a trail
A simple blazer on top of your long-sleeve slip and dress will smarten up any dress and instantly make it appropriate for a range of occasions. Embrace this season’s leather-look trend and throw on a cute jacket with a waterfall collar, or create a softer, more casual, look with a bomber jacket or denim jacket, accessorised with your favourite winter scarf.
You don’t have to keep dresses stashed away over the colder months. Getting wear out of your favourite dress throughout the year is easy with some simple warmer wardrobe additions.
Do you have any other tips for making your favourite dress season-proof? Share them in the comments section below.
