How To Wear A Summer Dress In Winter
How do you like my new Karina dress? Pretty sweet right?
Or fall…since winter doesn’t actually start for another five weeks.
This sleeveless summer dress lends itself well to a long sleeved sweater or turtleneck. I’m wearing thigh high suede boots and a felt hat. When it gets colder I will be adding some fleece lined tights and gloves.
By January I’ll be wearing a faux fur coat down to my ankles, massive wool scarf and if it is cold enough maybe another cape on top of all of that.
Onions are jealous of my layering capabilities in winter.
I layer until I can’t move my arms and can only shuffle about with the dexterity of an overweight snowman (NOT Olaf in Frozen…cause that guy has some serious moves).
It can become a safety issue.
When I am layered up for winter I’m not prepared for a “get-naked-quick-emergency”.
I do find that the older I get the fewer of those I have in life though.
Just to let you know I suffered greatly for getting these photos for my blog. I went out in the “magical hour” of light so that the sun was glaring straight into my eyes. If you are a migraine sufferer like myself you will know that is a big no-no. I came straight home and went to bed with a blinding migraine.
The lengths I will go to for you guys!
No one tells you of the health risks associated with being a style blogger.
Here are some other ways I’ve styled spring/summer dresses for fall or winter…
Summer/Spring
Fall/Winter
Summer/Spring
Fall/Winter
Summer/Spring
Fall/Winter
and then I added a leather jacket and cape and some serious attitude.
Do you try to wear your summer dresses in the fall/winter? Or is that just a good excuse to go out and buy a whole other wardrobe?
Karina dresses has generously offered me to be an ambassador for their brand and gifted me this dress. I adore the dress and am happy to promote a company that hasn’t shifted production overseas.
Linking up with Throw Back Thursdays
You are brilliant in that Karina dress! I so rarely have to get naked quickly – I might forget how and trip over my underthings. Everything is done a little more slowly these days : >
xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
It’s funny, time is speeding up but everything else is slowing down.
I definitely want to try more dress layering this winter – you’re looking super chic at it here! A good turtleneck can make most outfits more stylish, somehow…
Fabulous layering.
i love the “get-naked-quick-emergency” hahahahh
I so agree about the cook, dear Suzanne
Mil besos
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I think you’ve layered brilliantly! Luckily Denver is not frigidly cold much of the time, but I have been known to wear 2 pair of hosiery/tights together because I, too, love wearing dresses/skirts (even in the colder months). That’s my new rationale for buying the OTK boots!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Funny enough we were in Dallas for a trade show years ago in the middle of winter and mistakingly thought it would be “warm”. Well, warmer than here anyhow. We FROZE!!! I don’t know if it was a strange year for them or what but there was some snow and it was cold. Plus we hadn’t brought any real winter clothes with us. I’ll never make that mistake again.
Imagine the amount of different outfits I could make if I were as ingenious as you are. No, I don’t do this. A) because I lack styling abilities and B) because I love the new wardrobe.. Call me spoiled (and you would be right).
Love all your outfits though.
Greetje
I think it is much more about the new wardrobe ; )
Never has a wrap dress looked so fabulous! Well worth the pain you went through, those photos are incredible and I don’t need to tell you how much I adore that cape and tapestry bag, i probably bore you every time you feature them on your blog.
Unless it’s backless and plunge fronted I’ll wear my dresses all year round – layered up with thermal leggings and body stockings underneath – although I was so overwhelmingly hot this weekend in my sleeved maxis (must be an age thing) I might be tempted to wear them with sandals. xxx
I think this age thing is funny. I feel the cold much more but then quickly burn up from being too hot. It is some sick joke for sure.
Yes, I do this with most of my summer dresses, unless they are really flimsy and thin. I never quite understand the “pack it all away for next year” thing; in this country you’re as likely to need boots and sleeves in June, and it’s been unseasonally warm of late (like Vix, I’ve been overheating!) A layer under or over a dress with tights and boots, and you’re good to go.
Loving the colours and zigzags on your new dress! xxx
Great to hear you’ve had some wonderful weather. That makes winter just a little bit more bearable.
No no no no. Not a migraine! Augh! It is so difficult being a style icon. I get ’em, too. You have my most sincere sympathies. Meanwhile, I love the layered look. Major cute wardrobe extender. And now that I’m older it’s a great saggy skin camouflager. I know. Sad but true. And I love your vintage autumn dress. You do that 40’s/50’s era so well. Hey. Thanks for the Thanksgiving stuff. Such great ideas.
Glad you liked the Thanksgiving stuff. I’m always too far behind to manage to get those things organized and on my blog in time for the Canadian Thanksgiving…but every year I get it done for the American. I’m sure lots of Canadians aren’t too pleased with me.
poor dear lady, migraines are awful!!, wish you got well quickly!
And you look Gorgeous in this Karina dress, love how it matches your coat. Fabulous pattern mix, subtle and really awesome color combo!. You even picked the perfect background color!
Love all those amazing advices about layering, it’s a great inspiration to stay wearing summer dresses (I’m a huge fan of turtlenecks under dresses, fav trick!).
besos
You are an inspiration when it comes to layering with panache.
While I’ll take anything as an excuse to buy new clothes, I do wear a lot of my summer stuff all year. Unfortunately, the winter clothes don’t necessarily translate as well when it’s 95 degrees.
I do love the dress and it’s perfect layered over the turtleneck.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
You are right, it is much easier to work with summer into winter than the other way around. Even if they say wool is cool I don’t feel that way when I’m wearing it in heat.
I love your skills at layering which I am sure are required where you live. Since I live in pretty stable temps, I am fortunately enough to wear most of my clothes year round. Like you, I add a long sleeve or scarf and tights if it gets a bit cooler.
I love the vibrant colors against the black.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see your Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Ha : ) Yes, it is a course they teach all Canadians in school…how to layer for insane winter conditions. When I was a kid we used to wear a snowsuit and walk like zombies, falling down half the time because they were so impossible to move in. Ah…the joys of a Canadian winter.
I love how you take your summer dresses to fall! Great dresses & the red cape is stunning!
I have been doing a little bit of layering with a couple dresses, but I know I could get much more creative! I really only layered a black turtle neck, not very creative…
It’s a good start : )
Love how you styled all these dresses (including the first one) for autumn/winter. And, might I add, love those suede boots in the first one. I do put some summer-ish dresses under cardigans and jackets in autumn, but not so much in winter once it gets too cold.
Once it gets too cold here lots of the joy of fashion is lost on the massive coats and layering we have to wear.
You’re a whiz at bridging the seasons in style Suzanne!!
BTW – it’s not too late to join this RAYBAN giveaway I am hosting for the SUNGLASSES SHOP of UK from Nov. 16-22!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Ah you do layer so well, The onion reference , cute. doesn’t suit though. Good inspiration on how to take a summer dress into winter. and I love your description of your full blown winter style layered to the hilt.
Cant wai to see that!
Yes, migraines, ouch.
In NY we don’t get much of a golden hour, the tall building eclipse the sun. I could go to a park, to to a different neighborhood ..Make a 15 minute project into a 2 hour one.. argh.
Sunglasses are my best friend when outdoors, I am light sensitive too.
Stay migraine free!
xx, Elle
http://www.mydailycostume.com
I find that even with sunglasses I’m still squinting. I need full-on welding glasses I think. Darn sexy no?
oh yeah . maybe you will start a trend. call them something else. Get Cara to wear them.
Happy week!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com
I love that chevron Summer dress especially with the coat over it. I like you am not afraid to style Spring+Summer Dresses for Winter. You have done this so nicely many times. Thanks for the many inspirations, Suzanne!
<3 Ada.
I just came back from your blog and for the third time am unable to leave a comment. Not sure why. I thought I’d let you know.
I love the cape over the leather jacket. Pretty frigging brilliant.
Hahaha – layering as a safety issue!! Yes! Really, by that point does it even matter what’s under there? We are so busy shivering we are blur to onlookers anyway.
But you do this summer/winter dressing brilliantly, and braving the elements like you did in the “Golden Hour” (heh) makes these photos heroic! Sorry to hear about the migraines. I’ll keep my eyes open for stylish welding goggles for you.
Yes. Yes, yes, yes to the winterisation of summer dresses!!! You’ve summed up how to do it to perfection plus a bit more here!!! Love it!!! And…That Hat……..!!!!!!@@@@!xxx
P.s. oh how sad it is that I rarely have to get naked quickly.:-(
Omg! One: I love restyling summer dresses in winter. It feels rebellious. Take that winter! I will wear bible-page thin cotton and there is nothing you can do about it because I have mohair too! Sucker! You do an excellent job! But the real reason for the exclamation is two: I kept avoiding the blogs on my bloglovin feed that had the little video symbol on the photo because I thought I would open the link only to get a video rather than photos and words. (For some reason, after my working days filled with really annoying people, watching any form of moving picture makes me think I am in a room full of people instead of secluded in my hermit ville, and I have to turn it off). Your post has made me realise I have missed out on lots of stuff that possibly isn’t what I thought it was. I’ll revisit that policy from now on. Great post!
That is weird that my posts were showing up with the video link. So far in 10 years I’ve been blogging I don’t think I’ve ever done a video. LOL. I’m too scared to hear myself or have to look at myself moving. It is bad enough seeing the photos.
Suzanne, your posts are always so entertaining to read! I chuckled over the line that “onions are jealous of your layering capabilities”. I am jealous as well – you are very skilled at turning a summer dress into a base for a winter outfit. I have a couple of summer dresses that I layer over a long-sleeved t-shirt or turtle neck, or under a jacket for winter. We do appreciate the great lengths you go to in order to provide us with your lovely photos!
The bright patterned dress with the blue coat…omg. <3 I can't even see anything else right now, because that's just…wow! I love it! <3
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
The bright colored dress with the blue coat. Omg. I can’t even see anything else right now, because it’s just…wow! I love it! <3
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
I was thinking about this and realized I’ve not got many dresses- summer or otherwise- at all. I do have skirts which I occasionally try to wear in winter but don’t as much (due to excessive winds).
However, you have some fun and clever ways to stretch a clothing item’s use.
I’m with you; I do this all the time. Warm winter clothes are only for winter, but summer clothes work year round for me. Same ways as you do: layering under and over. I’m a sucker for summer clothes. Usually so much more fun and more colorful choices than winter fashion.