Winter is coming, you guys. Although we don’t have to worry about the army of the dead marching toward us, we do have to ponder over what to wear over formal dresses during winters.
As much as black tights and stockings have your feet and knees covered, your top still needs warmth. No one likes being shivery and asking around for jackets. Plus, there are so many occasions to attend in the fall and the subsequent holiday season that demands formal attire.
So, let’s get ready to deal with the winter and its sartorial implications. Here are 10 kinds of layers to wear over a formal dress when cold.
What to Wear Over a Formal Dress:
- Shrugs look
Shrugs or short jackets are perfect to wear over a formal dress. A basic black shrug is an evergreen addition to the wardrobe. If you feel inspired by the royal look, then check out vintage open-front jackets. Puffed shoulder and shoulder-padded shrugs create a classy silhouette. A cashmere open-front or button-down jacket is also a warm layer to throw on a formal dress. A long cashmere shrug is also a legit alternative for a longer coat. It creates a perfect border for your dress. Whether it’s a sleek, slim dress, a skirt, or a high-rise trouser, a short crop jacket creates an appearance of a cinched waist. So, give these jackets a try. They come in multiple shades, textures, and patterns.
- A blazer
A fancy well-fitted jacket should be every woman’s fave accessory. Winter or not, you never know when you might need to add another layer. Puffer jackets are your best bets to protect yourself from the cold. But let’s face it, it’s not that formal. But blazers are the epitome of formal wear. And there are so many very fabric options to select from. Since most blazers are lined, they make for excellent winter layers. You can choose from satin, twill, embellished, and other chic options. A fitted blazer is a suitable accessory for a formal dress.
- Long coat
If you could buy only one long coat, then you better choose the long black coat. It is the safest of all options. It goes with all styles and colors of formal dresses. A white or grey coat is also a decent alternative. For a pop of color, choose a bold-colored belted long coat. The contrast created by this look is a fantastic way to layer your formal dress. Since long coats come in a lot of different styles, a trench coat or a woolen coat is a valid choice. Wear the long coat with a mini sweater dress for a chilly day at work.
- Double-breasted coat
A double-breasted coat is a great way to create a feminine silhouette. When buttoned up, it clinches on the waist and accentuates the figure. Plus, because it is made from a structured fabric, it creates a neat outfit. You can play around with the length of the double-breasted coat. As a rule of thumb, coats longer than the dress length create a more sophisticated look. A dress coat shorter than the dress also looks dapper. When choosing the basic dress, go for a structured fabric instead of a flowy dress.
- Faux fur jackets
Faux fur or fur coats have opulence written all over them. But the effect that they have on the crowd is simply flooring. Look for faux fur jackets in baby pink, soft greys, and other neutral colors. A formal dress looks elegant and sophisticated with a fur bolero. If you end up going to a lot of such events throughout the year, it is worth investing in a couple of faux fur wraps or shrugs. Wear a black jacket on a plain navy blue or a black dress.
- Chanel-style tweed jackets
We have seen a lot of celebs sporting Chanel tweed jackets throughout the years. They are mostly accompanied by matching tweed skirts or pants. But trust us, they look classy with formal dresses. The key to shining in this look is matching the colors of the dress with the shades in the tweed jacket. Plus, you can easily fashion multiple looks with a couple of tweed jackets. One on the lighter side and the other on the darker side. Also, black and white tweed jackets are truly timeless and look amazing on black and white dresses.
- Peplum or bolero style cardigan
You don’t have to be a bride or mother of the bride to make bolero-style cardigans work. It looks stunning on a plain structured formal dress for just about everyone. The ruffle-style bolero jackets add a little playfulness to otherwise formal attire. For charity events and formal cocktail parties where you may show off your jewelry, bolero jackets create enough opportunity. For a more office-going look, a peplum blazer is very appropriate. You may choose a fabric of your preference for the peplum jacket.
- A white jacket
White formal jackets have a royal feel to them. Their neutral nature makes them perfect accompaniments to any formal dress. Whether you’re going for a formal event during the day or the night, it cuts above the rest. The best thing about white jackets is that it goes in light and dark colors alike. You don’t even have to wear it completely. Just throw it casually on your shoulders and glide across the room. Feel free to choose a cream, eggshell, off-white, or pearl-white shade for your jacket.
- Coord suits
As the name suggests, you coordinate formal separates. Select a dress and a suit that is made from the same fabric. It creates a highly matched formal look. Especially in an office or a formal office setting, it makes for a killer outfit. Wearing the jacket one shade lighter or darker than that of the dress also works. It saves you the hassle of wearing a three-piece dress suit while still getting a similar overall effect.
- Dressy capes
Now, one might think that capes are reserved for the royals and the superhumans. But they look just as classy on gorgeous women. You may not be able to wear capes at the office for obvious reasons. But for a dressy occasion such as a winter wedding, a cocktail party, or a gala event, capes can be worn over a formal dress. Color-coordinated capes look classy, as do ornate capes. Also, wearing cape coats gives you a chance to show off those dress sleeves while moving freely.
