When I shop with clients, a big selling feature for the clothes they are considering is versatility. I am sure this is no different for you. If you can get more wear from one piece the more value it has being in your closet. Versatility includes things like how many different ways something can be styled as well as how seasonless the item is. If a client can wear something throughout the change of seasons the better. In today's post, I am sharing some versatile dresses and how to take them from cold weather to warm. The timing of sharing this information will be helpful as early spring is already in the stores, and it's likely you can buy something and wear it immediately while also wearing it once spring arrives.
Versatile Dresses You Can Wear All Year Long
In the looks below, I styled each of these versatile dresses for cold weather and warm weather to show how just a few tweaks can make each one of them seasonless.
Looks #1
A printed dress, white blazer from Zara, that is in a versatile Tencel fabric is also in a print that can be lightened or darkened with accessories. On the left, I made the dress better for colder weather by enhancing the black of the print, and added this blazer from Reiss, and black earrings from Blu Bijoux. I also darkened the look, while adding warmth, by using these black tights and black booties from Vince Camuto. To keep the dress from looking too heavy, I used this cognac bag from MICHAEL Michael Kors.
To take the dress into spring, I lightened up the look of the dress by enhancing the shades of tan and used a pair of nude pumps from Steve Madden, Mother of Pearl earrings from Kendra Scott and finished the look with the same handbag as used in the winter version of this outfit.
Looks #2
The next way to take a dress from winter to spring is through the addition of bright colors. While fruity shades may not work for the colder months, in the spring they can really make your basic neutral versatile dresses look warm weather appropriate.
In the winter outfit, I created a more somber, yet stylish, look by styling this basic grey sheath from Theory with a pair of chocolate brown boots from Nina Originals, grey ribbed tights from Madewell, a camel cashmere cardigan from Repeat Cashmere, burgundy bag from Topshop and white blazer from Zara.
For the spring look, I eliminated the heavy looking accent and pop pieces and added brighter colors using this green short sleeve cardigan from LOFT, bright pink slingback flats from Marc Fisher, taupe handbag from Coach and crystal stud earrings from Ann Taylor.
Looks #3
When I saw this denim shift dress from J. Crew I was reminded of a client who bought something similar for fall last year. She planned on styling it the same way as I did with a pair of tights, riding boots and maybe even a turtleneck underneath it. In the look above I added a printed scarf and grey backpack from Botkier. This is a great casual weekend look.
A denim shift dress like this can also easily go into spring with a few changes. In the warm weather look above, I added these fun olive wedges, the same cognac bag as used earlier, a tortoise bracelet from Michael Kors and simple stud earrings from Stella & Dot.
Looks #4
This shirtdress from Banana Republic is a great style for spring. Looking at it, I wondered if there was a way to also wear it in winter, or at least during those cool transitional months at the end of winter and early spring. I decided to try it with these brown booties from Vince Camuto and brown tights from Merona. Finishing the look, I used the same burgundy Topshop bag I used earlier and this gorgeous printed scarf from Nordstrom.
A shirtdress like this is definitely a great style for spring. For the look on the right, I added these peep toe booties from Steve Madden, a brighter bag in yellow from London Fog and colorful earrings from Liz Palacio.
Looks #5
If you have a black dress, like this one from Hugo Boss, in your closet then you know that there are limitless ways to style it and take it from cold months to warmer ones. I particularly liked that this style had sleeves so it doesn't always require a layering piece.
In the look on the left, the dress gets warmed up with leopard pumps from Sam Edelman, a brown tote from Ivanka Trump and layered necklace from Bauble Bar. If this isn't enough warmth for you, you can try adding a camel cardigan, like the style I used in the first look for more coverage.
For springtime, I made this black dress more of a foundation on which to spring brighter shades. I styled the dress with peep toe d'Orsay pumps from Shoes of Prey, a blue bag from Marc Marc Jacobs and white blazer from Zara. The outfit is finished with the same layering necklace as the winter look.
When shopping for versatile dresses, in addition to thinking about all the different ways you can style one dress, look to see if, with just a few tweaks, a dress that is perfect for colder weather will also be perfect to wear when it gets warm.
