Transitioning your style and wardrobe into a new season can be fun and exciting, but can just as easily be sad and daunting. If you’ve spent your summer months in fun floaty little dresses, the thought of relegating them to the back of your cupboard or packed away awaiting the sun’s return can be a bit of a painful experience. Similarly if you’ve had your eye on autumn’s must-have pinafore – essentially just a strappy dress – or have just found the perfect summery dress but you’re wondering whether you should get it because you have a very limited period of time before the weather starts cooling dramatically; whip out your cards and get those dresses because your fears are about to the allayed with one word – layering!
When most people think layering they immediately think of popping a jacket or jumper over an under layer, and that’s it… done. While jackets and jumpers are very necessary items as we head into the cooler months – and you should definitely be getting some of them – they’re not your only options. Similarly layering garments over your dress is also not your only option, some dress styles would actually work better with under layers as opposed to over layers. The point I’m trying to get to is that you have options, so let’s look at a few.
1. Throw on a jumper
I know what you’re thinking; I just told you that a jumper wasn’t your only option. I stand by my statement, it isn’t your only option but it is a very good one. There are a number of different ways to pull off the dress and jumper combo, the first being my favourite; layer a knitted dress over your more lightweight option. If you love wearing dresses, wear two at once! The longer length of the jumper dress gives you more coverage (essential on particularly cold days) but also creates a slouchy, youthful and thoroughly modern feel. If your jumper has a roll or polo neck, layer it over a strappy maxi or midi-dress. If your jumper has a scoop or even bardot neckline, pop it over your favourite shirtdress, the jumper’s neckline highlight the shirtdress’s collar detail while said collar detail will provide the extra coverage for your neck and shoulders that a scoop or bardot neckline lacks.
From longer length jumpers we move on to cropped ones. Cropped jumpers make the perfect accompaniment to dresses with a full skirt because the length of the jumper will complement, and just as importantly, not impede the fullness of the skirt.
Cardigans are a simple, effective and stylish layering garment. If you’re feeling a little boho throw one over a frilly floral dress and pair with a pair of lace up boots. If you’re feeling a little more preppy instead, team your cardigan with a stripe dress and your favourite sneakers.
Moving away from layering your jumpers over dresses, let’s instead shift our paradigms slightly to layering jumpers under dresses. When layering knitwear under dresses there are two things you have to keep in mind; fit and weight. Lightweight and fitted jumpers are the preferred garments when used as under-layers because heavy and chunky knits under a garment are a sure way to make you look bulky. Try a lightweight polo-neck jumper under a pinafore for a classic collegiate look or under a sleeveless shift for a look that practically screams chic Parisian flair. You could swop out the jumper with a classic buttoned-down shirt on less chilly days.
2. Jackets: The Blazer
A blazer should be a staple in any transitional wardrobe; they provide enough coverage to keep you warm on chilly autumn mornings but are light enough to not have you overheat as the day warms. If during the day you do find that you’re heating up a bit, slip your arms out of the sleeves and drape the blazer over your shoulders instead.
3. Jackets: The Biker
Biker jackets are the answer for toughening up floral mini-dresses for autumn. The juxtaposition between the toughness of the jacket and the soft prettiness of the dress makes for a look that is youthful, fresh and modern. Finish the look with a pair of tights and biker boots. This is also a great excuse to keep buying little printed mini-dresses all through the year!
4. Jackets: The Puffer
You’re going to NEED a puffer jacket this season, but how exactly do you wear one when the temperature isn’t exactly freezing yet? Simple – a strappy dress. Accessorise your look with some chunky sneakers and a waist bag and you’re ready to be hashtagged as a street-style star.
5. Dresses over jeans
Now I know that the dress over jeans combo has gotten a bad rap because of Paris Hilton circa the early noughties, and I’m certainly not advocating for garish satin numbers over bootleg denims and bedazzled strappy sandals – no, nyet, absolutely DO NOT! Instead go for a more contemporary approach and layer a chic wrap dress over a pair of cropped or roll hemmed jeans and ankle boots. A long-sleeved shirt dress would work equally as well – try buttoning your dress only down to the waist of your jeans and letting the rest billow in the breeze (because a little extra drama never hurt anyone).
6. Stock up on tights
For those who prefer their hem lengths ending higher up their legs, and are decidedly not doing the dress and any sort of trouser combo, tights will be an essential buy for the season. On the days when the temperature is more chilly than freezing the tights can be paired with some courts or ankle boots. And on days when the temperature drops a bit and more leg coverage is needed, knee-high or over-the-knee boots are a great option.
7. Reinvent your dress
Style is all about personality; how we choose to wear the garments we purchase is governed by our own individual tastes. There is no set way in which a particular garment, and in this case a dress, has to be styled, and layering (as a style concept) allows for so much experimentation and expression. This experimentation shouldn’t also be regulated to only our “fashion” items but should be applied to the clothes many of us spend the majority of our time; workwear. A sleeveless shift dress – a staple of many a work wardrobe – when teamed with a blazer, tights and courts creates a look that is classically chic. The same shift can also create a look that is sleek and contemporary when layered over a shirt (or blouse) and trousers.
However you choose to layer your dresses this autumn and winter, try keeping to three layers when putting an outfit together. This will avoid you looking like your cupboard has just exploded on you or like you’re trying to start a bag-lady-chic trend.
