How To Style A Dress: Different Ways To Wear Your Favorite Frock

When it comes to styling dresses, the possibilities are endless! 

We’ve all been there—staring at our favourite dress, wondering how to make it feel fresh again.

Figuring out how to make it work for different occasions or suit your mood can be frustrating, but with a little creativity, you can easily breathe new life into it!

The best part about learning how to style a dress is embracing your personal style and using universal styling techniques to find what works for your unique body type or body shape.

In this article, you’ll learn multiple methods for styling dresses, from pairing belts and accessories, to adding layers and adapting to the season so that no matter what is “in-fashion”, you can create a mini capsule wardrobe of versatile pieces to make virtually any dress style work for you. 

So, let’s dive into some easy ways to refresh your dress looks!

Pro Tip: Pin your favorite looks to your pinterest boards for style inspiration

Style 1: Dress it up

Elevate a plain or casual dress into an outfit that looks thoughtfully put together and makes it look more expensive than it may actually be. 

The most effective ways to dress up a dress is by teaming it with a pair of good heels or polished flats, an elegant clutch bag and some classic jewelry. 

You can dress up a regular dress as little or as much as you wish but the ultimate goal is the same; to create an outfit that looks thoughtfully put together, more classy than an everyday outfit and appropriate for the formality of the environment you’re in.

Style 2: Dress it down

Dress down a dress to create a casual look that’s comfortable and laid-back without looking unkept or like you just rolled out of bed. 

Avoid being too matchy with your accessories, pair your dress with clean white sneakers or layering a cropped cardigan or denim jacket on top.

It’s important to remember that dressing down doesn’t mean wearing clothes that are stained, torn or creased; it’s about making your dress outfit look more relaxed and effortlessly chic while still looking clean and respectful in your environment. 

Style 3: Cinch it with a belt

Cinch your dress in at the waist with a belt to create shape and define an interesting focal point in your outfit. 

The kinds of belts that go with a dress either compliment or contrast your dress color, texture or style so that it looks like an intentional style decision and not just chosen at random. 

For example a solid-colored belt can break up busy patterns nicely and a chunky brown belt can add depth to a bright white cotton dress. Wide belts make a great statement, thin or delicate belts add a touch of elegance while scarf or obi belts can create a unique, stylish twist.

Style 4: Embrace a layered look

Layer your dress by adding complimentary pieces under and over it to create dimension and warmth.

Layering can be as simple as adding your favourite staple pieces that you already own but when you learn how to layer a dress properly, you not only add warmth and versatility but you can use the art of layering to create harmony or contrast in the overall look.

A layering piece that has a bit more of a masculine vibe like a moto jacket, boyfriend cardigan or structured blazer can be a great way to balance the femininity of a floaty floral dress. 

Under layers like turtlenecks, collared shirts, or long-sleeve button-down flannels can help to make sleeveless or short-sleeved dresses look more modest or relaxed. 

Style 5: Make it unique with accessories

Accessories can transform a simple frock into a statement outfit. 

You can use the color and fabric of the dress to guide your accessory choices, choosing gold accessories to compliment warm colors or silver and chrome accessories to compliment cool toned dresses. 

You can use accessories to evoke certain styles like wearing gold bangle bracelets with your dress for a bohemian aesthetic or to keep the focus on the dress, opt for minimalistic accessories that complement rather than overpower.

Style 6: Focus on footwear

Be creative with your footwear to compliment your dress’s style or hemline. 

The key to changing up a dress outfit with footwear lies in the length and silhouette of the dress and the balance or contrast of the styles. 

For instance, longer dresses may call for heels to elongate the leg, feminine dresses can be paired with black boots to create a biker feel, while sleek pointed sling-backs can take a simple, casual dress to semi-formal. 

The season can influence your footwear choices as well, with boots being more practical in fall and winter, and sandals or open shoes for spring and summer. 

Style 7: Play with color

Add a pop of color to provide a vibrant, eye-catching focal point and give your dress a burst of energy.

This style can breathe new life into a neutral or monochromatic dress like what a red lip does for the little black dress (LBD), turning an otherwise simple look into something memorable and striking. 

Choose one or two items to serve as your color focal points so that you don’t overwhelm the dress, they can be anything from your makeup, a hair band, a bag or shoes. 

Look at the color wheel when selecting what color to pair with your dress; complementary colors (those opposite the color of your dress) can create a striking contrast for a bold look, while analogous colors (those on either side of the color of your dress) offer a more harmonious blend. 

Style 8: Play with textures, prints and patterns

Play with your dress material by incorporating a variety of high-quality fabrics and finishes with it to create visual interest and depth.

To keep the look cohesive and not overwhelming, balance heavier textures with smoother ones. For instance, pair a silk dress with a suede jacket or a cotton dress with a chunky wool scarf.

When layering textures in cold weather, stick to a consistent color palette to keep the outfit from appearing too busy. When combining prints, allow one print to dominate, with one or more secondary patterns to complement it.

To maintain a cohesive look, ensure there’s a common color that runs through all the pieces in your outfit.

Style 9: Add leggings or tights

Incorporating leggings or patterned tights into your outfit is a practical yet stylish way to blend comfort and warmth with fashion.

Offer a range of options from sheer to opaque, patterned to solid, making them suitable for both casual and formal occasions.

The key to styling dresses with leggings or tights is in the balance of proportions and understanding the occasion.

For a casual, comfortable look, pair a loose-fitting dress with leggings and boots. For a sleek, elegant look, opt for opaque tights with a structured dress and heels.

Consider the color and pattern of your leggings or tights to complement or contrast with your dress tastefully.

When adding colored or patterned leggings or tights, keep other accessories minimal to let the legs be the focal point. For a cohesive look, match the color of your tights with your shoes or other elements of your outfit.

Style 10: Adapt it for the season

Adapt your dress for the season to give it a vibe that is suitable for the weather conditions and social settings. 

To style a spring or summer dress, opt for accessories made of natural and lightweight materials like straw, rattan, bamboo and silk.

If it is too hot for a belt, add some statement earrings, body jewelry, bracelets, a silk scarf in your hair or statement sunglasses to create a focal point and add some detail to the outfit. 

If natural materials are too casual for the occasion, opt for a lightweight miniature bag or clutch instead of heavier pieces.

If appropriate, pair it with a headpiece or a hat to add some formality and sun protection, wear it with wedges or pointed sling-back flat shoes to add some sophistication and stay comfortable at the same time.

To style a fall or winter dress, warm layering is key. Start with a snug base layer beneath your dress like fleece lined tights, opt for dresses and accessories that are made with warm fabrics like wool, velvet, thick knit, suede or leather and add extra pieces such as a leather jacket, trench coat, denim jacket, or a blazer on top to add style. 

Knee-high or over-the-knee boots offer additional warmth for your legs and can create a sleek look with a short dress. For icy conditions, choose boots with good traction.

Scarves, gloves, and hats are great ways to style a winter dress but be sure to find some coordination between them to avoid it looking messy or unintentional.