How to Style High Low Dresses

Co-authored by Jordan Stolch and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 8, 2023 References

If you love asymmetrical dresses, you need a high-low dress in your wardrobe! High-low dresses are longer in the back and shorter in the front so they really showcase your legs. You might be wondering how to wear such an unusual style, but you'll quickly learn that it's an incredibly versatile piece. You can easily dress it down for casual, everyday wear, or accessorize it to make the dress the perfect evening look.

1

Wear sandals, sneakers, or flats to create a casual style.

Give your outfit an everyday feel by wearing comfortable shoes. These might be your favorite fashion sneakers, loafers, oxfords, or ballet flats. Choose footwear that matches the color of your dress if you want them to blend in, or go for a bold pop of color if you'd like them to stand out!^{[1]
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- Sandals with a wide strap are great for summer months and you can find them with a low heel if you want a slightly dressier option.
- To make your outfit even more casual, toss on a denim jacket or cardigan and tie a cute belt around your waist.

2

Rock a pair of heels if you want to glamorize your look.

Wear a high-low dress with stilettos, wedges, or heels to dress up your look. Shoes are one of the easiest ways to take your outfit from daytime casual to nighttime formal. For a look that never goes out of style, wear your favorite stilettos or pumps with the dress.^{[2]
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- Pick heels that match the color of the dress if you want them to blend in or go with black for a classic, put-together look. Want to make your legs seem longer? Wear heels that match your skin tone so the shoes look like an extension of your legs.
- If you're not totally comfortable wearing high heels, don't worry! Kitten heels, shoes with a slight wedge, and low-heeled slingbacks are all great options.

3

Toss on a jacket or blazer to complete a casual outfit.

Throw on a denim jacket or a simple blazer to make an everyday outfit. On its own, a high-low dress can feel a little too dressy for day-to-day wear, but a jacket, cardigan, or blazer can soften the look.^{[3]
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- A cute denim jacket or fluffy cardigan are the most casual options, while a fitted blazer is a little dressier—perfect for the office or meetings.
- If it's not too cold, layer a cropped motorcycle or suede jacket overtop.^{[4]
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  Jordan Stolch
  Image Consultant & Style Advisor
  Expert Interview. 27 May 2021.}

4

Wear the dress with scarves and leggings in the winter.

Put layers over the dress to add texture and warmth. Who says high-low dresses are just for summer? It's really easy to transition the piece to cooler weather by wearing leggings underneath it. Then, toss on a soft cardigan or scarf. You can match the color of the dress or choose a complementary color.^{[5]
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- For example, if your dress is a solid color, pick a scarf or shawl with a fun print to add a little interest.
- Not sure what shoes to wear for a winter look? Flats or low-heeled shoes are comfortable options while stylish boots look great with most outfits.

5

Pull on a short sweater or shirt for extra texture or warmth.

Make your outfit appear more relaxed for a daytime look. Dresses tend to be fancier than jeans or skirts, so if you want to wear a high-low dress without feeling overdressed, put on a short sweater or shirt that falls just above your waist. This makes your dress look like separate elements so it's not as formal.^{[6]
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- If your shirt feels too long, just gather the bottom and tie a knot.

6

Dress in neutral colors to look sleek.

Choose a black, white, or gray dress if you'd like a classic outfit. You'll probably find that you have more options for styling neutral-colored high-low dresses. This is because it's easy to stick with a single neutral color when it comes to shoes and accessories, or you can easily add a pop of color to switch up the outfit.^{[7]
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- Go for a black high-low dress if you want to be able to transition it from daytime to nighttime. Swap out casual shoes for heels and add jewelry to go from casual to glam, for instance.

7

Include a burst of color to add interest to a solid dress.

Use color or patterns to give a high-low dress more styling options. If your dress is a solid color, try wrapping a brightly patterned shawl around you or pop on a textured sweater in a different color.^{[8]
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- If your dress is already colorful, add a little black or white so the color really stands out. For example, if your dress is yellow, put on a black cardigan to break up the colors.

8

Use a belt to draw attention to your waist.

Accessorize your look and add definition to your waist with a belt. If you're wearing a form-fitting high-low dress, there's probably a noticeable waistline. If your dress is a loose, flowy style, create an instant waist with a belt. A simple, narrow belt can make the outfit appear delicate, while a wide, metallic belt adds sparkle to your look, for instance.^{[9]
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- The belt is a perfect way to add a bit of color to a dark or neutral dress. Try a pink or mustard-colored belt with a dark, navy dress, for instance.

9

Add jewelry to finish styling a formal outfit.

Complement a fancy dress with a statement necklace and earrings. The dramatic cut of high-low dresses means you can pull off long statement necklaces that fall below your bust. Daring earrings that complement the necklace can complement your evening wear.
- Trying to decide between gold and silver? Pair silver jewelry with cool dress colors like blue, white, and purple. Choose gold pieces if you're wearing warm colors like yellow, red, or orange.

10

Carry a handbag or clutch to complete your outfit.

Use your handbag or purse to transition from daytime to nighttime. Want to keep your high-low dress casual? Carry a large tote or handbag for an everyday style. When you're ready to switch to a nighttime look, just swap out the bag for a fancy clutch.^{[10]
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- The handbag or tote doesn't have to match the dress. You might carry a leather handbag with a blue high-low dress for instance. Then, when you're ready to dress for a night out, choose a blue clutch that matches the dress. This can make your outfit look more put together.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you wear a high low dress in the winter?

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).

Jordan Stolch

Image Consultant & Style Advisor

Expert Answer

You could wear sheer tights with short ankle booties. If it's not incredibly cold out, you could layer a cropped leather jacket on top without wearing tights.