Winterizing Your Summer Dresses

I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely dreaming of a white Christmas! I took these pictures back when it snowed the day before Thanksgiving, and today felt like a good time to finally share them (i.e. I didn’t get around to taking new photos and had to scramble through my stockpile to find something for today’s post). It worked out though because I realized I’ve been seriously lacking in holiday-themed outfits this year, and I figured wearing a bunch of red would fix that right up. Today’s look is all about how you can wear your summer dresses throughout the year, even into the wintertime!

This black floral dress is a favorite of mine in the summer and fall. My mom got it for me for $5 in the Francesca’s clearance section! While it is several sizes too large, you can’t really tell because of the loose cut and the naturally oversized fit. It’s the perfect piece to throw on and go whenever I’m in a rush.

Since I’m all about versatility when it comes to fashion, I wanted to see if I could create a winter-appropriate outfit with this summery floral dress and continue to wear it all year long. The fabric is very thin, so I knew I’d have to add lots of layers—starting with a long-sleeve shirt underneath and opaque black tights (fleece-lined tights would be great, too!). After that I just stacked on the accessories—an oversized red vest, a chunky crème infinity scarf, a bedazzled red ear-warmer, and striped socks for a little extra foot warmth.

While I certainly wouldn’t spend hours outside in the snow in this dress, the look did keep me surprisingly warm! It would make a great outfit when I go back to school and have to walk to and from classes (but don’t want to sacrifice style). Obviously, not every summer dress can be so easily worn in the winter. Since mine is a dark color with a high neckline and long sleeves, I was able to layer underneath it for extra warmth. Of course, the fabric of the dress is also important. I don’t really know anything about different fabric types, to be honest, but a cotton or linen dress definitely would not work in the winter.

Do you wear your summer dresses in the winter? I know some people like to pack away their summer clothes when the seasons change, but I’ve always preferred mixing and matching items across the seasons. After all, you know how obsessed I am with cost per wear, and there’s no better way to get your money’s worth than making items work all year long.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you have a great Thursday!

Miles of smiles,
Grace

Black Floral Dress: Francesca’s, $5, last worn here | Red Vest: Francesca’s, $20, last worn here | Black Snow Boots: DSW, $40, last worn here | Crème Infinity Scarf: Unknown, $20, last worn here | Red Ear-Warmer: Craft Fair