Dressing in winter can be a struggle sometimes. You need allll the layers to stay warm, but you still want to look chic and intentional with those layers. And when you want to wear your favorite dresses in winter AND keep warm, well, that takes a little extra thought and planning. There are a few styling solutions you can embrace to add more warmth and avoid frostbite when the weather says, “Bundle up” and your fashionable self says, “But look good!”. In today’s post, we’re sharing a round-up of items you can wear stylishly over a dress in winter. AND a few outfit ideas for inspiration.
For all of our favorite winter dresses including dressy and casual options, make sure you check out this post next. You’ll also find the best winter coats and jackets for extreme cold here.
What To Wear Over A Dress In Winter
Longline Coat Over A Dress
Let’s talk about coats…an obvious choice for wearing over a dress. Some of us can get hung up on which coat length goes best with which length of dress. But a longline coat is always a great solution! A longline coat will work beautifully over a longer maxi dress, a midi dress, or a mini. It will also keep you the warmest especially if you stick with fabrications like wool or cashmere. If you opt for a wrap coat like the one Erin is wearing above, you’ll have the flexibility of cinching the waist to add some definition but you can also easily layer a cardigan, sweater, or blazer over the dress and under the coat. Here are a few wrap coats that would work beautifully with your dresses.
Blazer Over A Dress
If you will be indoors and want to layer something over your dress, a blazer is a great option. A blazer adds a layer of sophistication without trying too hard. In most cases, we’d recommend a streamlined or tailored blazer over your dress for the most flattering look. You want the blazer to complement the dress, not compete with it. So, if you keep the blazer length on the shorter side you won’t be engulfed by too much fabric. Now oversized and boyfriend blazers are VERY on-trend and would also look super chic with some dresses, but if you go that route, you’ll probably want to be sure your dress is more fitted to balance out the oversized blazer cut. In the look above, you’ll see Erin is wearing her classic cut Balmain blazer over a sweater dress. The shoulder pads and button details add some structure, strategic waist definition, and elegance!
Cardigan Over A Dress
Another great layering piece for a dress is a cardigan. If you are wearing a mini dress like Erin is here, you could go with either a cropped cardigan or a longer-line cardigan similar to the length of the dress. A hip-length cardigan could be tricky because it might add unnecessary bulk right where you don’t want it. If you are wearing a midi or maxi dress, to keep the line long and lean, again either a cropped or longer cardigan (similar to your dress length) will be the safest bet. When in doubt, you could always belt the cardigan to add waist definition or leave it open and make sure your dress has a tie or belt to achieve the same effect. You’ll get some extra mileage out of your summer dresses with a wintery cardigan and taller boots that make them more seasonally appropriate.
Faux Fur Coat Or Jacket Over A Dress
Fur coats have always been stylish, but with the latest Mob Wife trend, they are really having a moment! Regardless of the length of your dress, an oversized fur coat or jacket is going to not only keep you warm, but it’s SO glamorous! A 10 out of 10 on the statement-making scale. Bring your confidence, bundle up, and rock it! You can wear your fur coat over a slip dress, a cocktail dress, and even a gown.
See how Erin’s friend Melissa Myers styled her faux fur coat over a slip dress for winter in this post.
Teddy Coat Over A Dress
Similar to a faux fur coat, a teddy coat is a cozy oversized topper that you can wear over any length of dress. It’s just a furrier and fluffier version! Erin is wearing a faux shearling Vince teddy coat over a mini sweater dress and she added some cool tall boots for added warmth. We love this combo!
You can read all about Erin’s recent splurge…the celebrity-favorite Max Mara Teddy Coat here. She shares her honest review and some look-a-likes too!
Winter Dress Outfits
Now for some winter outfit inspiration featuring…you guessed it, what to wear over a dress! Whether you own one of these dresses or something similar, each of these outfits will show you what to wear over your favorite casual and elevated minis, midis, and maxis AND your cocktail dresses too.
1) Cropped Military Jacket & A-Line Dress
In this first outfit, Erin is wearing a semi-cropped boucle military-style jacket over a fit and flare sleeveless A-line mini dress. The dress is more conservative, even office-appropriate, but the jacket edges things up a bit. The cropped fit of the jacket adds some waist definition, but she also added a belt for an even more flattering silhouette. Erin is also wearing some textured tights and booties to complete the look. For even more warmth, you could also wear fleece-lined tights. And don’t forget you can layer a turtleneck sweater underneath your dress too!
2) Classic Leather Blazer & Little Black Dress
A classic black leather blazer is a great staple to have in your closet. The tailored silhouette and edgy fabric are such a great combination. You can wear it over a mini dress like Erin did here and add some statement booties and a belt. But, if shorter dresses aren’t your thing in winter, you can also wear a leather blazer over sweater dresses, a sheath dress, or a wrap dress. This super chic monochromatic black-on-black outfit is a look you could so easily recreate.
3) Leather Jacket & Maxi Dress
Along the same lines as a leather blazer, you can also pair a classic leather jacket with your winter dresses. Believe it or not, this pic is from 2017 during NYC Fashion Week, but the look is still VERY on-trend today. Erin is wearing a floral print maxi dress with a tailored-fitting black leather jacket and some tall black boots. Chic and simple! If you live in a really cold climate, just layer a wrap coat over the leather jacket for some extra warmth.
4) Teddy Coat & Sweater Dress
Here’s another look with Erin wearing the same Vince teddy coat we mentioned earlier in the post. Here she styled it with a sexy, long-sleeve midi-length sweater black sweater dress, and some brown booties. Browns and black are neutral colors and can look very elegant when worn together. Don’t you think?
5) Suede, Leather, or Faux Leather Trench & Sweater Dress
The photo on the left is an older picture of Erin, but we wanted to show you how gorgeous a suede trench coat will look over your winter dresses. Such a chic and timeless look! On the right, is a faux leather trench option, and even though Erin’s wearing jeans, you can certainly picture how lovely a black sweater dress would look underneath! The black dress paired with the brown trench and boots once again makes for a very rich and luxe combination.
Leather and faux leather are still trending. You’ll find some amazing finds in this post.
6) Trench Coat and Wrap Dress
If you love the look of a leather or suede trench but the climate where you live is milder, a classic lightweight trench might be all you need over your winter dress. In this look, Erin styled a simple wrap sweater dress with a gorgeous, pleated Sandro trench and some light-colored lug sole booties to keep her look light and neutral.
7) Cropped Blazer & Maxi Dress
Here’s another example of a way you can style a lightweight dress to make it more winter-appropriate. Adding a cropped blazer will provide a warm layer but also waist definition. The shorter blazer length will draw your eye upward, make your legs look longer, and help nip in your mid-section. In colder months, you could look for heavier fabrications in your cropped blazer like leather, wool, or tweed. You might think you need a dress with long sleeves in winter, but not always! You can try repurposing your sleeveless dresses and bring them into your winter wardrobe with just a bit of creativity. Just add some knee-high boots along with your cropped blazer and you’re good to go.
8) Cape & Event Dress
If you’re wearing a more formal or cocktail dress for a wedding or special event, you don’t want to throw on any old everyday coat. You want something a bit more elevated to match the style of your dress. A cape or ruana is an elegant option. Here, Erin is on her way to the Dior Fashion Show in Paris wearing a Dior cape over her dress. You can glean inspiration from this look and find a cape or wrap that suits the vibe and fabric of your special occasion dress.
Which of these looks is your favorite? If you plan to recreate any of them, we’d love to hear about your inspiration in the comments below!
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