How to Dress Down a Dress

Co-authored by Susan Kim

Last Updated: February 5, 2023 References

Dresses are extremely versatile items because they can be both easily dressed up and worn casually. To make any dress in your closet more casual, you can use a layering technique, or you can pick a pair of shoes that are less dressy. If you think your dress is still too fancy, you can add simple accessories.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Layering to Dress Down

1
Throw on a casual jacket for a laid-back look. Pick a colorful bomber jacket, a distressed denim coat, or an edgy leather jacket. Choose a style that contrasts the style of your dress for a fashionable, casual look. You can wear the jacket as normal, tie it around your waist, or drape it over your shoulders.^{[1]
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- For example, if you have an elegant lace dress, you could pair it with a leather jacket to make the dress less feminine.
- If you’re wearing a dark-colored dress, like a little black dress, put on a light-wash denim jacket for a contrasting color.
2
Layer a casual shirt under a strappy dress for more coverage. To make a party dress more appropriate for work or a casual occasion, put on a button-up blouse, a long sleeve turtleneck, or a plain white T-shirt under the dress. Experiment with different colors and prints until you find a combination that works well with your dress.^{[2]
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- For instance, if you want to wear a strappy navy dress, you can put on a red and white-striped turtleneck for a nautical look.
- Don’t be afraid to choose a shirt with ruffles or other fun embellishments. These will help make the outfit more playful!
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3
Pair a party dress with a blazer for a classy effect. If you want to make a fancy sequin or satin dress more work-appropriate, pick a blazer in a darker color, like navy or black. Keep the rest of your outfit casual, with flat shoes and minimal jewelry to play down the dress.^{[3]
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- If you’re going to wear a fancier dress, opt for a jewel-tone color, rather than a pastel or muted shade. This will make your outfit look purposeful and add contrast.
4
Wear a sweater over a dress to create a cozy outfit. One of the easiest ways to make a dress less fancy is by turning it into a skirt. Throw on a chunky knit sweater that hits around your waist to give the illusion that you’re wearing a skirt and a sweater.^{[4]
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Tip: Keep the weather in mind when you’re choosing your sweater for the day. If you get warm during the day, you might have to take your sweater off, leaving you in a fancy dress!
5
Tie a flannel around your waist to dress down a party dress. Flannels are popular in fall and are a great layering piece with dresses of any length. Position the flannel so that your arms wrap around your waist and tie in front of your belly button. You can pull the flannel up slightly to create an A-line look.^{[5]
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- Try to pick a flannel or plaid pattern that compliments the colors in your dress. For example, if you’re wearing a navy dress, you could wear a blue, green, and white flannel.
- With a black dress, you can wear almost any color flannel.
6
Put on leggings under a lighter dress to transition to cooler weather. If you have a spring or summer dress that’s made of a lighter material, like chiffon, you can dress it down by wearing leggings underneath. Choose a pair of dark-colored leggings, like black, dark gray, or navy, and pair it with more cold-weather accessories, like a sweater, to complete the look.
- This is also a great way to keep warm during the cooler months and extend the wear of your spring and summer dresses!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Picking a Pair of Casual Shoes

1
Put on a pair of sneakers for a sporty chic look. If you’re wearing a dress to sightsee on vacation or just run some errands, you can protect your feet by wearing a pair of classy sneakers. Try to pick a pair that contrast with the style of the dress for a more pronounced look.^{[6]
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- One of the most popular ways to get this look is by pairing a shirt dress or bodycon dress with a pair of crisp white tennis shoes.
2
Pair a long dress with flat, strappy sandals to create a boho outfit. Long dresses can make you look taller, giving you a more elegant appearance. To tone things down, pick a pair of sandals with brown or black leather straps. Don’t be afraid to pick a pair that have embellishments or stones, like turquoise, in them.^{[7]
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- For example, if you have a long, flowy, white dress, you can pair it with a pair of strappy brown sandals and a floppy hat to get the perfect, relaxed vacation outfit.
3
Select a pair of oxfords for a more masculine look. Play down a more feminine dress by finishing off your outfit with a pair of leather or suede oxfords with a chunky heel. This is a surprising way to combine styles to create an edgy, exciting outfit.^{[8]
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Tip: If you want to keep a more feminine style, opt for oxfords with a more rounded silhouette. You can even choose lighter colors, like blush pink or white, to make the contrast between the dress and shoes less shocking.
4
Wear ankle boots with a longer dress to transition to cooler weather. Ankle boots are one of the most versatile shoes and are perfect for making a casual look. Pair them with a midi dress that hits between your knees and ankles. This will draw the eye downward, moving attention away from the fancy dress.^{[9]
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- For more interest, pick a pair in a bright color, like red, emerald green, or electric blue. Bright colors will make a fashion statement without making the dress look too fancy.
5
Pair tall boots with a short dress for extra coverage. Showing a lot of skin can make your dress look more like party wear than casual wear. Choose a boot that hits above your knee, but leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between the bottom of the dress hem and the top of the boot. Avoid overlapping the hem, which can make the boots look awkward.^{[10]
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- For even more coverage, you can put on a pair of opaque tights, which will break up the look.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Accessorizing for a Casual Look

1
Wear a medium-width belt to cinch your waist. Choose a black, brown, red, or navy belt that’s about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. Fasten it so that it rests loosely around your waist, drawing attention to the area. This will make the outfit look purposeful, but not overly put together.^{[11]
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- If you’re wearing a sweater over the dress, position the belt outside of the sweater. This will accentuate your waist even in a chunky sweater!
2
Choose subtle jewelry to tone down the look. Opt for jewelry made of natural materials, like wooden bangles or a “raw” quartz necklace, to create a bohemian look. Pick out plain earrings and chains and choose stackable rings without any gemstones.^{[12]
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- This will help make the outfit look purposeful, but keep the look from becoming too dressy with large gems or chunky metals.
3
Drape a light scarf around your neck to cover up a more risque dress. Pick out a fabric scarf in a bright color or exciting print. Wrap the scarf around your neck to cover your chest and shoulders, and let the ends of the scarf hang down on either side of your chest.^{[13]
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- This draping method will cover up most of the top of the dress, depending on the style of the dress.
- Alternatively, you can wrap the scarf around your shoulders like a shawl to cover some of your upper arms.
4
Carry a whimsical purse to dress down a business-style dress. Select a mini-backpack, a belt bag, a clutch with a fun print, or a tote in a bright color to make a business dress more casual for daily wear. Don’t be afraid to choose a bag made out of a different material, like wool, cloth, or even a “basket” style purse made of woven wood.^{[14]
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- In general, try to stay away from leather or suede for a casual bag, since they tend to look more expensive and can be perceived as dressier.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you make a dress less fancy?

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Throwing on a belt that sits below your waist really dresses down a dress or a skirt. You can use a fanny pack for the same effect, too.