Although a dress is a one-and-done outfit, learning what to wear over a dress will help up the versatility of this single wardrobe piece, making casual styles more polished for occasions, or adding a relaxed feel to primmer frocks.
The best dresses can be layered under everything from knits to blazers, creating a whole new outfit in an instant, expanding your wardrobe and getting rid of those 'nothing to wear' moments. Discovering what to wear over a dress can be a game-changer when it comes to increasing an item's cost-per-wear value.
While there will always be some dresses that are statement pieces, most dresses can be styled-up or down, meaning they can work for more than one event without anyone realising you're re-wearing an old look. Nailing what to wear over a dress also helps to extend the life of a dress throughout the year, so your new much-loved summer dress can be reworked for autumn and beyond. And of course, the benefits go beyond the sartorial. Being able to reinvent your dresses with a few simple additions means you'll find you're buying less and wearing items for longer, which works for the planet and your bank balance too.
What to wear over a dress according to style experts
The key to understanding what to wear over a dress is proportions. You'll want to avoid overwhelming your frame, which can be tricky, where layering is concerned. To start with, factor in the length of the dress and the hem length of the item you're trying to pair it with; they'll need to work together to elongate, rather than swamp your silhouette. It's also wise to consider the shape of the dress and the item you're putting over it, as you don't want to hide your frame, instead look for items that cut you in the fewest places, or one that help to highlight your waist to create a curve-loving silhouette and divide up your body in a balanced way.
1. What to wear over a t-shirt dress
When it comes to summer outfit ideas, t-shirt dresses are an excellent cool and casual choice. Often with a relatively straight up-and-down silhouette, or a gentle A-line, you have two avenues for what to wear over your dress, depending on if you want to dress it up or lean into the relaxed feel. For more relaxed styling, grab a chunky cardigan, fluffy knit, or even a hoodie to lean into the t-shirt's dress sports luxe aesthetic, pair with trainers, and you're ready to roll.
For added polish to the timeless t-shirt dress, try adding more structure with a longline blazer. Worn open (single button is best for this), a blazer adds a smart finish. If you are wearing a printed t-shirt dress, try pulling out one of the colours for your blazer to help tie it all together. Pair with sandals, trainers or even block heels for a more edgy finish.
Leopard is a timeless print, and this classic t-shirt silhouette is one you can dress up or down. For right now, we're teaming it with a blazer, but as we head towards autumn, you could slip your favourite leather biker jacket over the top for a tougher and more directional feel.
British clothing brand Reiss makes some of the best tailored blazers on the high street, and this mink-hued design gives a fresh spin on neutral tones. Picking out the brown colouring of the leopard print dress, this jacket will instantly smarten up a t-shirt dress. Get the coordinating trousers to turn it into a women's trouser suit too.
The best Lululemon handbags are a great investment choice. This camera bag has a two-litre capacity and a strong crossbody strap for hands-free carrying. The accent of gold on black adds just enough detail to keep this piece sleek and interesting.
2. What to wear over a fit and flare dress
One of the most universally flattering silhouettes, a fit and flare or A-line dress, is the perfect shape for highlighting and creating hourglass silhouettes. Nipping in at the waist before skimming out over midriffs, hips, and thighs, this dress style is one that transverses smart and casual designs, but the core principles of what to wear over this dress remain the same.
Proportion is of huge importance here. As the dress is fitted at the waist, you're ideally looking for jackets or cardigans that are slightly cropped, finishing at the waist to highlight this nipped-in cut. This helps to further accentuate and doesn't ruin the line of the dress or overwhelm your frame.
Boucle jackets are a brilliant option for what to wear over a dress. Adding automatic Parisian style to any look, this jacket silhouette is reminiscent of one of the best French clothing brands, Chanel. Adding a feminine flair to tailoring, opt for a neutral hue that can work over multiple pieces.
This A-line dress from Hobbs features a summery floral print. While it has a gentle A-line, the dress has a defined waist that will benefit from a shorter jacket or cardigan. Pairing with a cropped jacket will also help to elongate your lower half, adding length to your legs, by shortening your upper torso.
FitFlop makes some of the most comfortable sandals, and this flat pair with back strap can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. A versatile and supportive buy, you'll pack these away each season, excited at the prospect of sun-kissed toes once more.
3. What to wear over a sleeveless dress
Sleeveless dresses are among the easiest to layer, as you don’t need to worry about any added bulk around the shoulders and arms. For an elevated transitional look best suited to spring or autumn, a longline blazer or trench coat is the perfect choice to wear over a dress. For maximum wearability, opt for neutral shades like black, navy, camel and cream, which will coordinate seamlessly with sleeveless dresses in any hue.
Styling tip: A sleeveless blazer or trench gives these classic pieces a modern twist. Adding a slim-fitting, contrasting colour jumper underneath will also add interest to the arms.
Scalloped trims offer a gorgeous, detailed finish to an otherwise simple silhouette. This khaki hue will work through all seasons, and the fitted top, with A-line skirt, makes this a great option for layering under a sweater in the winter, or under a trench coat in late spring and early autumn.
When it comes to rain cover for those summer outfit for work, nothing works quite like a timeless trench coat. This classic camel-hued iteration works well with pretty much anything. Where possible you want the hem of your trench coat to meet, or be longer than your dress hem.
These short leather boots are a year-round wear. Thanks to the shorter silhouette, you can wear them on those mid-summer days, as well as being stylish into autumn and winter. Thanks to the cognac hue, these boots are timeless and will go with almost anything in your wardrobe.
4. What to wear over a strappy slip dress
As the first point of call, you can layer outerwear, like your favourite blazer or coat, over a slim strapped dress, but there’s also space for lighter layers too. One of the most versatile layering pieces in any capsule wardrobe, when it comes to how to style a slip dress or similar, the figure-skimming, sleeveless cut means they work for both day and night, as well as pairing well with more oversized pieces.
To make this dressy style and the silky fabric feel more relaxed, team your slip dress with soft knitwear, breezy shirts, and slouchy blazers to lean into the laidback feel. Natural fabrics, like cotton and linen, can be relied upon for a relaxed vibe, but be aware they are naturally more prone to creasing - so you might want to look at a blended fabric.
A lightweight knit or cardigan is the perfect add-on for summer evenings once the sun sets, while a white or grey t-shirt over the top of your dress will give ultra-feminine frocks a more casual edge, and make it look like you have a top and skirt on - great if you're trying to create a little capsule travel wardrobe. Of course, you can also wear your t-shirt under the dress too, if there is some detailing you'd like to show off, or want some extra arm coverage, but still want your dress to be the main focus.
Plain t-shirts are best for layering, as they won't take away too much attention, although a graphic print or band tee will add a rockier feel, rendering this look ideal for what to wear to a concert. Just add some stompy boots and chunky jewellery and you're good to go.
This directional mocha mousse slinky camisole dress is easy to wear for day and evening. With 90s silhouettes an ongoing trend, you'll certainly get plenty of wear out of this lightweight dress. Pair with a fitted tee, underneath in a complementary hue, to show off the lace detail. This lingerie style detailing is one we expect to see stick around as a key trend for another season at least.
The best t-shirts are some of the hardest working pieces in your wardrobe, and when it comes to what to wear over a dress, they transform a frock into a skirt and top ensemble, so it looks like you have a far bigger wardrobe, or slip on under a dress for added coverage.
We expect this trending colourway to still be performing well right through the autumn/winter season, so there is no better time to take the plunge and invest. This mini tote is great for everyday essentials, and we love the grab, top-handle, and metal hardware for a sleek and directional feel.
5. What to wear over a cocktail dress
Channeling all your energy into finding the best cocktail dresses for your next big event? We get it - there’s little more exciting than the thrill of shopping for a fancy frock. But, keep in mind that you’ll likely need an outer layer to arrive in too. Instead of just slinging a coat over the top, look for a tailored blazer. Cropped, boxy styles are great for petites and will ensure that all the attention is on your waist, giving you a more curvaceous, but well-proportioned silhouette. If you’re taller, a directional longline blazer will look effortlessly chic. Opt for a style that finishes just below your hips and that’s, ideally, nipped in at the waist to highlight your frame
Want to lean in on the evening wear theme? Try the jacket part from a women's tuxedo. The satin collar and added luxe detailing make it a perfect pairing for party-ready dresses.
Wondering how to style a blazer? Try “robing”, this is where your blazer is draped over your shoulders for a laid-back feel and is a great way to wear your jacket once you're at the party if you're not quite ready for the cloakroom.
This papaya orange dress is sure to add some zing to your wardrobe this season. The lace fabrication and sparkly buttons add a dressy touch, making this appropriate for everything from parties to what to wear to a wedding.
Taking notes from a tuxedo silhouette, this white, shawl collared jacket is ideal for what to wear over a dress for a special occasion. With the right amount of polish to pair with a cocktail dress, the neutral hue ensures it will go with numerous wardrobe items.
Kitten heels have made a surprising fashion comeback, and this retro shoe silhouette shows no signs of going anywhere. The small heel height is ideal if you're not used to wearing heels, or don't need much elevation, while the slingback strap helps to add sturdy support.
6. What to wear over a maxi dress
The floor-sweeping length of a maxi dress means there’s already a lot of fabric at play before you even start to think about layering. To keep your look from overwhelming your frame, make sure either your middle is defined (by a belt or waist-length jacket) or opt for a low (scoop or V) neckline with a longer line jacket to help create balance in the look.
To stop the look from becoming too much, utilise clever colour-blocking to mark out your silhouette and choose a jacket in a different (yet still coordinating) hue to your dress to create a contrast and prevent it from feeling like one swathe of fabric.
And remember, just because your dress doesn’t come with a belt doesn't mean you can't add one. Giving your dress a more personalised and unique feel, which is a lifesaver if someone turns up in the same outfit as you, this styling trick works best with A-line, fit and flare, or trapeze silhouettes, but should generally be avoided with empire line designs. Adding a belt helps to highlight your waist, meaning that even if your outer layer is slightly more relaxed in fit, your shape won't be lost.
This tile print design delivers a gorgeous burst of colour to any wardrobe. The bold patterning can be toned down however, with a neutral, darker jacket, adding extra polish to this summer dress. Pick out a colour from the print to accent the look and ensure it feels cohesive.
This navy jacket is a shade or two darker than the blue in the dress print, but tonally works and helps to add a calmer element to the bright tile design. The waisted silhouette helps to nip you in, and lengthen your torso in the process. The boucle fabrication will work all year through.
Never underestimate the power of adding a good belt. This blue design ties in with the jacket and nods to the blue hues in the dress print. The statement gold buckle adds a focal area to your look, and this slim leather design can be reworked into jeans outfits too.
7. What to wear over a dress in the summer
Summer dresses call for a field’s worth of ditsy floral prints, buckets of broderie Anglaise, and a sprinkling of higher hemlines. This is the time of year to embrace colour, and when it comes to what to wear over a dress, your layering pieces should reflect that too. Adding a vibrant jacket is a brilliant way to liven up a simple white dress, or choose a fully coordinating print to act as an extension of your frock. You could even wear a shirt over the top of a midi or mini dress, to create the illusion of two separate pieces. The possibilities are endless.
The flouncier the shape of your summer dress, the straighter cut your top layer should be, as it will help to balance out your proportions.
A cotton shirt is perfect for a capsule wardrobe for travel as the natural fabric ensures breathability that will keep you cool in hot climes. Versatile enough to wear with wide leg trousers, it also makes an elegant cover-up over a dress or swimsuit.
A Liberty print dress is a wardrobe classic, and while many designs come and go, a Liberty one is a lifetime keeper. The flattering square neckline and fit and flare shape give this a feminine flair that you won't regret. Pair with cropped cardigans, denim jackets, or a classic white shirt, tied at the front to highlight your waistline and lean into the slim fitting middle.
One of the big sunglasses trends 2025 this shape has been worn by the likes of Meghan Markle. The elongated, winged tips are flattering for all face shapes, creating a lengthened silhouette. The tan hue is a little more unusual but one that will never go out of style and pair with everything.
What jackets to wear over a dress
Ultimately, if it fits over your dress, you can wear it with a dress, but there are still some styling considerations when it comes to which jackets work best for layering. “As we move into late summer and early autumn, it’s not always warm enough to wear a summer dress without a jacket,” says Farrah-May Archer Boadi, Styling Team Lead at Stitch Fix. “It’s always a good idea to find your perfect transitional jacket in advance, so you’re ready to go when the weather cools.” Our top picks are a boucle blazer, denim jacket, or a smart trench coat.
“When it comes to lengths, consider opposites for maximum impact,” continues Farrah-May. “Maxi dresses, for example, tend to work best with a cropped jacket, as the shorter length will emphasise your waistline and define your silhouette. If you’re opting for a mini dress, try styling it with a longline jacket, which will elongate the leg by drawing the eye down from head to toe. If you’re fond of a feminine dress, try teaming it with a boxy, oversized jacket to create a cool, laid-back look. The contrast in styles will give your outfit an effortless feel.”
Comfort, of course, is always key. We recommend trying on your outfit in advance before rushing out the door to check you’re not feeling stifled. “As with any outfit, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing. With the fit, it’s important to make sure you can move your arms freely in your jacket of choice, and that your chest isn’t squashed when the jacket is done up.”
