How to Layer a Dress

Last Updated: December 4, 2022 References

Deciding which clothes to pile on during the transitional and winter months requires creativity and practicality. Dresses are usually the first items to fall off the layering radar because they are not the bit part players of your closet. With some fashion tips and tricks, you can add all types of dresses on your pairing agenda, and feel confident in your layering style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Finding Items to Wear Under Your Dress

1
Wear a turtleneck to stay warm. Wear the thin version of a wool turtleneck underneath a long strappy dress or a V-neck short-sleeve skater dress. For a more conservative approach to layering, you can choose to work with one neutral color for both items such as gray, beige, or black, or you can opt for a bolder fashion statement by mixing up colors. Regardless of the color coordination, the mixture of different fabrics and textures will make the layering effect noticeable.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- To avoid a bulky look, wear a thin turtleneck and a thicker or voluminous dress.
- Keep your hair up to showcase your turtleneck and accessorize your look with a pair of dangling chandelier earrings. Alternatively, you can compliment your outfit by attaching a brooch to your turtleneck. It can be a metal, blingy pin or an eccentric fabric, wooden, or ceramic one.
2
Wear a white shirt to look timeless. The white shirt in your closet is the one piece of clothing that never goes out of style. Wear a fitted or loose white shirt, and you have endless outfit possibilities, which may subconsciously take you back to the 1990s. Pair your shirt with a black maxi dress, and you are guaranteed a stylish transition into spring.
- To keep the outfit classic, accessorize it with timeless hoop earrings and hold a quilted chain handbag.
Advertisement
3
Wear lace tights for a romantic effect. Depending on how you combine lace tights, you can give them a different look: sophisticated, elegant, romantic, or edgy. Wear them below a casual dress for a multidimensional style.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Avoid wearing lace tights with a dress covered in patterns, as it will end up being a battle for supremacy. Instead, opt for a monochromatic dress, which can be matched with a necklace of a different color.
- If you want to showcase a brighter and funnier side of you, opt for color tights. Wear a pair of pink or yellow tights for a twist on a total black look, or dare to play with many colors at once by wearing a patterned dress. For a well-balanced look, add an accessory such as a crossbody handbag, which matches the color of the tights.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
4
Wear a sheer blouse for practicality. If you have a sheer blouse in your closet, which you were unsure how to layer, one way is to wear it under your dress. You will resolve the see-through issue while adding a touch of unpredictability and excitement to your style by mixing different textures.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Depending on the transparency or thickness of the fabric, colors lose or gain intensity. Thus, a linen red has a softer tone than a cotton red.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
5
Wear pants instead of tights to be comfortable. Pants underneath a long tunic dress are warmer than tights and more comfortable, making your outfit winter appropriate. Wear tight pants that are of a neutral color such as black leather pants or skinny jeans.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- This is a great example of an intriguing layering. It is bringing together the sporty look and feminine power. To maintain the comfort of this outfit, wear sneakers.
- Boost the practicality and style of your urban outfit with a leather, suede, or leather-trimmed fashion backpack.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Layering over Your Dress

1
Wear a leather jacket to toughen up your style. An easy way to rock your cocktail dress style is by wearing a leather jacket. However, this all-time-classic item is also a great match for your long floral dress. Layering a tough item with a delicate piece creates a sweet but edgy impression.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- To complete this look, slide on a pair of staple stacked booties with a solid, thick heel for a busy day out. If the occasion is special, and includes a nice dinner and drinks rather than walking, wear lace-up leather ankle boots or open-toes boots in a wild color to showcase the freedom and creativity of your style.
2
Pop on a blazer or a cardigan to loosen up. Save the skinny trousers, the fitted shirt, and the pencil skirt for another day. Instead, pick up a loose blazer or cardigan, which is light enough to wear all day long as a layer over your asymmetric or shirt dress. The blazer or cardigan can be longer than the dress, and expect it to add a relaxed yet sophisticated look to your outfit.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- This outfit cries out for a huge scarf around your neck for extra warmth, color, or pattern.
3
Put on a tight-fitting sweater to define your waist. If your dress is the A-line type, which is fitted at the top and widens from the hips, keep the upper part tight. Put on a tight-fitting sweater, which reaches just above your thighs, and accessorize your outfit with a thin, high-waist belt to define your waist.
- For an unexpected turn of your girlish, yet glamorous look, wear heels with colorful and delicate socks. Try to coordinate the color of the socks with the belt or your handbag, so that the whole outfit falls into place effortlessly.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
4
Tie a knot on your baggy sweater for a casual look. If all the sweaters in your wardrobe are baggy, you can tie a knot on your top to make it tighter. Choose this style of layering if you want to wear a short, skinny dress, but at the same time give it a bit of volume, without making the whole outfit baggy.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You can apply a good knot to different items, even to the dress itself, transforming in an instant a shapeless piece of cloth to a tailor-made item.
5
Wear a long coat to narrow down your silhouette. A long coat on top of a midi sweater dress doesn’t only add a layer of warmth, but also makes you look taller and slimmer.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Depending on the temperatures you are tackling, this outfit may require an extra layer underneath the coat, which you can keep hidden while wearing the coat. To achieve the most discreet possible result, choose a middle layer of different length to the dress and the coat; otherwise, you may look puffy.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you look cute in layers?

Stephanie Fajardo
Professional Stylist
Stephanie Fajardo is a Personal Stylist based in Portland, Oregon. Stephanie has over 17 years of styling experience in personal consulting, television, photography, and film shoots. Her work has been featured in Esquire Magazine and Portland Fashion Week.

Stephanie Fajardo

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Make sure your layering pieces fit close to your body. Look for tight-fitting T-shirts in a color that complements the dress, like a cap sleeve tee under a jumper or a stretchy tank top under a V-neck dress.