A Seasonal Guide to Layering Dresses with Ease

Wondering how to layer dresses with your favorite pieces throughout the year? Our complete guide to seasonal layering has you covered—just like that go-to knit jacket in your closet. As the temperature changes, so do the rules for adding (and removing) layers from your look. We’ll help you sort out the staples for each season, even those tricky transitional moments when the weather seems to mood-swing (we’re looking at you, spring). 
Hint: Be sure to bookmark this guide to reference when you’re getting dressed.

How To Layer Dresses in Any Season

Warm Today, Rain Tomorrow: Spring Dress Layering
When the first hints of warmer days emerge, it can be tempting to step out in your favorite sleeveless dress, stat. Doing so could land you in a classic springtime dilemma: being woefully unprepared for unexpectedly cold conditions. Prep for fickle weather—and a full spring social calendar—by staying stocked with versatile pieces that can be combined into different looks. 

• Start basic with layers that add dimension to an outfit. Think cozy reading robes or an easy-to-style pull-over. This pairing keeps the chilly air at bay, even when the AC is already on at the office.
• Try a cropped blazer in a soft knit. Cropped styles play into the rule of thirds, which can help elongate the figure and balance the outfit.
• Blazers and jackets can be paired with any neckline, from a turtleneck to a deep V-neck—a great neckline for feeling just enough spring breeze. 

Free-Spirited Style: Summer Dress Layering

If “summer layering” sounds like an oxymoron, you might just need a little more practice to get it right. There are still opportunities to layer when things heat up outside. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, airplane cabins can be downright icy, and who doesn’t need a cozy layer to wrap up in when they climb out of the pool? Here’s how to layer dresses in the summer.

• Pack your weekend bag with an effortless jacket or hooded sweatshirt to stay toasty on camping trips (those smores aren’t going to roast themselves).

• Keep a favorite ultra-soft button-down in your beach bag for post-swim comfort.

• Choose a knit tank top that can be layered under another breezy top, a combination that complies with your 9-5 dress code.

A Cozy Closet: Fall Dress Layering

You’re about to get a break from the summer heat. Fall appears gradually, though, so you’ll need to apply some of your summer layering tricks to your fall dresses, too. Here are some stylist-approved tips for how to layer with dresses in the fall:

• Slip into our other favorite one-piece, the bodysuit. It’s a true staple that can be layered under frocks, paired with blazers, and more. 

• A comfortable knit dress (or jumpsuit) and blazer combination is a timeless fall go-to. Wear it to work, brunch, or even the pumpkin patch. We design our blazers and jackets to fit in everywhere.

• A three-quarter sleeve knit top offers the feel of a favorite t-shirt and the sleekness of a longer-sleeved layer. The partial sleeves can hide under a button-down or peek out from beneath a sleeveless dress.

Bundle Up: Winter Dress Layering

When that frost sets in, think fall layering, amplified. Winter dress layering presents its own set of puzzles, from how to layer for holiday gatherings to how to avoid looking like a Himalayan snow creature—unless yeti-chic is your thing this year (in which case, go off). Here are some easy-to-apply tips on how to layer dresses for winter:

• More is more. Pair a long knit dress with your comfiest sweater (you can’t go wrong with a sweater over a dress) or a chic dress with polished knit layers. 

• Layer under or over (or both). Just keep proportions in mind. 

• Contrasting materials can make your look come to life, which means you can even layer summer dresses for winter. A summer dress can be layered over a more substantial knit or under a chunky sweater.

Accessorize & Style Your Layered Look

Now that you have a rotation of year-round layered outfits in mind, it’s time to calibrate your color palette and add the finishing touches. Here are some quick tips:

• Establishing a go-to range of colors that you love to wear will make this a bit easier. You might start with a base of neutrals (gray, beige, white, black) and then add a secondary palette. Some examples are bright primary tones, earth tones, pastels, or cool vs. warmer colors. 

• Don’t get nervous about “boxing yourself in”. Your wardrobe can and will change with the seasons. It just makes planning outfits a little easier when you have an inventory of options that you already love.
  
  
• Style your layered outfits before you plan to wear them. Of course, nothing beats a test run in the mirror (cue try-on montage). Try wearing your base layer dress and swapping in different pieces under and over it.

• Add finishing touches that work with the elements of your layered look without overwhelming it. Do you really need a scarf if your knit jacket has an oversized shawl collar? What length necklace would work with your knit dress’s neckline? 

Shop Sustainable Layered Looks for Any Season

Every season has options for elevated layering, from breezy summer outfits to piled-on winter knits. Start with your base layer dress—or a separate base layer under a dress—and add or remove pieces to find your sweet spot. Remember: Some environments are easier to plan for than others, so don’t worry about perfecting this styling skill immediately. Be open to experimenting with what makes you feel confident (while keeping these tips in mind). 

Hopefully this cheat sheet for seasonal layering has prepped you for the months ahead. Ready to take what you’ve learned and put it into action? Explore our sustainable layering staples, from eco-friendly dresses to sustainable bodysuits, jackets, and more at Grey State Apparel. Shop our newest drop and start planning your next layered look.