Anyone eyeing up the cute spring dresses while quietly crying inside because spring weather is nowhere in sight? Don’t worry, gotcha covered. Today we’re going to talk about how to wear a dress in different seasons so that you can get more use out of those cute dresses!
I picked up this stinking ADORABLE dress from LOFT during my recent try-on session. However, I totally forgot to show it to you during that try on, haha!??♀️ It’s so so so so cute though, so wait until it goes on sale and scoop it up! It’s got cute ruffles at the wrists and hem which add a little flirtiness to it. There drawstring at the waist helps to cinch it a bit. However, it goes right across the midsection instead of being higher up at an empire waist. If you hate when things cut right across the tummy, this might not be great. You CAN tie it without needing to cinch it at all, i.e. make it barely noticeable that it’s even there, but wanted to give a heads up anyway.
I’m 5’6″ wearing the regular length version, and it hits a little above my knees. Comes in regular, petite, and plus HERE.
You can wear many types of dresses in winter and spring, and I show tons of examples in a past post How to Wear Dresses in Multiple Seasons. But, a black floral print like this makes it extremely easy. One with a navy background works great too. The darker background lends itself to pairing with darker and more wintry colors–great for those gloomy days when something light and bright seems weird. But the floral print has lots of colors to pull out and play with when you’re ready for some lighter and brighter colors.
Here are two very simple outfit formulas that you can use to style a dress in two different seasons!
SIZING INFO: I’m 5’6″ with a short torso and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
Darker Cardigan + Tights + Booties or Boots
If days are still dark and gloomy but you’re thinking spring thoughts, pair a dress with a darker cardigan, tights, and booties. I went with a thicker, oversized black cardigan, but maroon, tan, grey, or even a lighter oatmeal/beige would work too. There are some great oatmeal, tan, and grey cardigans HERE that are really, reallyyyyy soft. They’re medium to lighter weight though, and better for spring transition than freezing winter. I wear them in size Small/Medium.
In addition to a cardigan, I’d absolutely recommend wearing a thin layer underneath dresses for added warmth. I’ve talked about UNIQLO HEATTECHS many times in the past, and I still swear by them. I used to wear the regular weight ones, and though I loved them, I always wished they were a TAD thicker because I just run so cold. This year I saw UNIQLO added two different weights: the Extra Warm HEATTECH and the Ultra Warm HEATTECH. The Ultra Warm HEATTECH is like a fleece, and I find it harder to wear under things, though I wear it to sleep. 😀 The Extra Warm HEATTECH is between the regular ones and the Ultra Warms and has taken the place of my regular weight ones. I LOVE it! Wearing those under your dresses (and shirts and sweaters) is sooo helpful in adding another layer to keep you warmer without adding bulk. I wear these in size M.
I’d also recommend fleece lined tights over regular tights. Regular tights just don’t cut it when it’s cold! The pair I own is very old and not available, but there’s an inexpensive pair for $12.99 with really good reviews HERE. Definitely a must if you want to wear dresses or skirts in the winter!
Add booties or boots–definitely boots if it’s colder!
If it’s sunny but still cold, try this same combo but with an oatmeal/beige cardigan with the black tights and boots. It was super sunny but chilly when we shot these pics, and it felt a bit weird to be in such dark colors while the sun was shining. Yet, it was cold. It would have felt more fitting to wear a lighter colored cardigan.
Dress: LOFT (exact-size S)
Cardigan: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Tights: (similar-fleece lined for warmth)
Booties: Nordstrom (similar)
Tote: c/o Sole Society (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Denim Jacket + Flats in a Color From Print of Dress
Once spring weather hits, a denim jacket with colored flats is an easy go-to formula. Denim jackets with dresses is a combo too adorable not to do! Put a twist on the outfit with colored flats, using any color from the print. I chose yellow OF COURSE :D, but pink or orange would be cute too!
(Unfortunately here my legs are very pale right now and blend into the yellow flats, haha! Buuuuut I’ll just assume I’ll be more tan once spring hits and it’s actually warm and sunshiney enough to wear this outfit. ?)
Another way to style this would be to wear a colorful cardigan like blush pink, yellow, or green. I love prints because there are so many colors to play with. You can pull out any of the colors and incorporate them in other parts of your outfit like shoes, cardigan, or accessories.
So, there you go. Two very easy outfit formulas to wear a dress in different seasons!
Dress: Loft (exact-size S)
Jacket: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Flats: Amazon (exact-size 9)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact-size M)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
More Dresses That Will Transition from Winter to Spring
Here’s a roundup of more versatile dresses that would work with these same outfit formulas!
