How to Wear a Dress in Winter
Trickier than it sounds, styling a dress so it’s suitable for changeable weather is an art in itself. Liberty’s guide will soon have you layered to perfection
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How to Wear a Dress in Winter
Trickier than it sounds, styling a dress so it’s suitable for changeable weather is an art in itself. Liberty’s guide will soon have you layered to perfection
By: George ElliotYou don’t want to lock away your dress collection until spring, but you also don’t want to freeze on your way to work. No, it may not be rocket science, but knowing how to wear a dress in autumn/winter is an artform. Feeling warm in the face of the season’s often grim weather is the objective here, but the colour, print, fabric and fit of your additional layers all demand crucial consideration, too. That’s why we’ve taken the, ahem, liberty of putting together this very handy guide that’ll teach you how to wear your favourite dress this season. Oh, and one more thing: don't forget your Liberty Umbrella
The Minimalist Dress
When styling minimalist dresses, there are two paths to choose from: do you lean further into the aesthetic with equally pared-back layers or add contrast with a punchy hit of maximalism? For a beautifully simple ensemble that’s as cosy as it is timeless, consider monochrome knitwear your best friend before adding a slick tailored jacket on top. But if it’s the latter that sounds up your street, look upon the dress as if it were a blank canvas in need of vibrancy and pair it with a graphic jumper or print-clad coat.
Read more: Master the art of minimalist style
Style With
The Knitted Dress
With temperatures low and days darker, the morning invitation to hit snooze seems all the more tempting. If only there was a dress that provided effortless style and bed-like cosiness. Behold the knitted dress – a style that's as easy to pull on as a jumper, will add depth and texture to an outfit and is basically the dress equivalent of a warm, all-embracing hug. As for styling them, it's important to keep other knitted pieces to an absolute minimum as too many will leave you feeling uncomfortably hot and bulky. Instead, add interest by opting for pieces in contrasting fabrics and finishes, like a denim jacket and accessorising with chunky jewellery.
Read more: Keep cosy in the season's best jumpers
Style With
The Printed Dress
To clash, or not to clash: this is the question to ask yourself when styling a printed dress. If you've yet to master the art of mixing prints, use the colour palette of your dress' pattern as your starting point, and couple with pared-back pieces in the same tonal family, opting for layers in alternative textures and textiles along the way. Alternatively, pair your dress with other printed pieces, like a shirt or puffer jacket, but ensure they share at least one common colour to create a harmonious mix.
Read more: Become a print pairing pro with this guide on how to mix prints
Style With
The Denim Dress
As effortless to wear as your go-to pair of jeans and with year-round wearability, the denim dress is a wardrobe mainstay. What's more, they're firmly in fashion's favour right now, so it's in your best interests to invest in one (or a few) and then learn how best to style them. Layers in earthy tones including beige, terracotta, sage and cream make ideal pairings for blue and pale denim washes or if you fancy a double denim look, consider contrasting a light denim with another that's darker. On an important, practical note, keep in mind that denim isn't exactly the most insulating of fabrics, so as we delve deeper into cooler climes, apply these styling tips to cold-cancelling knits and warming outerwear.
Read more: Invest in the best autumn/winter coats
Style With
The Voluminous Dress
Liberty’s legendary fashion floors are (almost) stocked to the rafters with voluminous dresses, ideal for when a party invite lands in your inbox. But coming in architectural, body-redefining shapes, layering one up for the autumn/winter period can sometimes be frustrating and uncomfortable. So if you have your eye on a sculptural oversized dress, note that you’ll need layers that accommodate features like billowing skirts, flounce and dramatic puffed sleeves. First off, look for something effortless and unrestrictive like a sleeveless knit or waistcoat. Then opt for outerwear that's generous in fit, so there’s no need to worry about flattening the dress’s incredible volume.
Read more: Get in on the oversize dress trend
