Hi friends!
Today I’m talking about transitioning summer dresses into winter so you can make the most of your wardrobe and continue wearing some of your favourite pieces into the cooler months! As you know, I’m all about building a well-edited wardrobe that is super versatile and can be mixed and matched in many different ways!
I’m featuring one of my most loved dresses that definitely ticks all the boxes when it comes to versatility, (and has appeared many times on the blog because of this) and I’ll be sharing a few tips and style features to look out for when choosing dresses that can make transitioning through the seasons a little easier! Being more intentional and smarter when you’re shopping is where it all begins!
A higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality
This black floral daisy-print dress has had SO much wear over the years! It also only cost $20 from Jay Jays! Bargain!
You know I love my Zimmermann dresses, but I also love getting a good deal and this dress was certainly one of my best buys. It just goes to show that it has nothing to do with the price of an item, but everything to do with the fabric and quality (as well as how you take care of it!)
This dress is just a simple cotton number that I throw into the wash on a cold cycle (and in a wash bag - always use a wash bag to protect your pieces!) and although it’s probably starting to look a little more worn, it’s done a great job and lasted really well. If you choose carefully (taking into consideration the type of fabric, how it’s made etc) you really can find awesome pieces at much cheaper prices.
Of course there is the part about how ethically made an item is to consider. It’s not something I thought about for a long time, and I am definitely not perfect or an expert on sustainable fashion, but I do like to think that the fact I’m being very intentional with my purchases, really thinking before I add something to my wardrobe to make sure it will last and will get the wear, means I’m making a very small difference.
Why this dress is such a great transitional piece!
The cut of this dress really lends itself to being styled in a number of different ways making it super versatile! It actually has quite a boxy cut (which makes it nice and roomy for a baby bump!) but the fabric is also really light and flowy, so it’s easy to belt to give more shape.
You can layer under and over it and the darker colour makes it feel appropriate even on cold, gloomy days. The length is perfect too as it pairs really nicely with tall winter boots.
For this particular outfit I simply layered a thin black knit jumper over the top and tied it in a knot at the front to give a little more shape. Tighter pieces on the top half and cinching in just under the bust is the most flattering over a baby bump and looks super cute because it really highlights it!
I paired it with a comfy pair of black leggings for warmth (my faves are the LuLu Lemon Align Pants) and my tall tan leather boots.
Style features to look out for when searching for versatile dresses to add to your wardrobe:
1) Darker prints
It’s a pretty obvious tip, but a darker coloured dress really does make that transition a little easier.
That’s not to say you can’t wear brights in the colder months, I actually think it’s a great way to lift your mood when the weather is dreary and drab, but super bright colours don’t always look the best when paired with more wintery accessories, so just be mindful of this if you’re looking to add a dress that is going to be really versatile and take you through all seasons.
2) Shorter styles
For me, it’s easier to pair shorter dresses with boots which can immediately “winterify” an outfit. Of course you can pair boots with longer dresses, but for someone like myself who is rather petite (to put it nicely, others may say “vertically challenged”), shorter styles with longer boots are definitely a more flattering option that doesn’t swamp you!
I really love the look of short dresses , tights and thigh high boots. They give warmth and can even make your legs look longer!
3) A more relaxed fit
A style that’s not too tight is great because you can layer a long sleeved top underneath for warmth without adding unflattering bulk. I love doing this with jumpsuits too and it’s an easy way to add an extra layer while still showing off the style of the piece instead of having to hide it under a coat!
3) Simple details on the top
Choosing styles that aren’t too fussy on the top (eg: no frills, no off-the-shoulder styles no elaborate detailing) means that you can easily layer over or under! Of course I love details, but opting for more simple pieces can mean a piece will get a lot more wear!
As always I hope you enjoyed the post and that it gave you a little inspiration!
If you enjoyed it you’ll probably also love my free How To Find Your Style video course where I walk you through my step-by-step process for finding your signature style and simplifying your wardrobe, because once you have that down, it is super easy to get dressed in the mornings and feel effortlessly pulled together - everyday!
(It also means you will become a much smarter shopper, spend less money and be able to say goodbye to wardrobe chaos and clutter! - and who doesn’t want that!)
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Lots of Love
Lauren
xxx
Wearing:
Please note: pieces with * are affiliate links
Dress - Jay Jays
Leggings - Lulu Lemon Align Pant*
Jumper - Asos
Bag - Fossil*
Hat - Tigerlily Swimwear
Sandals - Steve Madden
Boots - Old from Zomp, but similar here*
Pin it for later!
You can see other ways I’ve styled this dress over the years in these posts:
My Style Diary - Florals and a Trilby
My Style Diary - Feeling A Little Like Spencer
My Style Diary - Daisy Chains
My Style Diary - Floral and Coral
My Style Diary - A Floral Dress, A Fun Saturday and A Few Wedding Updates
(I didn’t realise until searching that there would be this many! That was definitely $20 well spent!)
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