How to Style a Dress in Winter: Tights, Sweaters and Boots

In winter you style a dress with thick tights, boots and a layer on top, for example a sweater, a cardigan or a coat. That way even light summer dresses can be worn through the cold season.

Many dresses disappear into the wardrobe in October, even though a few simple steps make them winter ready. This guide shows which tights go with which dress, how to combine sweaters and cardigans and which shoes work with a dress in winter.

Which tights go with a dress?

• Black and thick. The versatile choice for almost any dress color and for boots.
• Tone on tone. Brown tights with a brown dress or dark tights with burgundy connect dress and shoe into one line.
• Fine tights. For festive occasions and dresses with shine, for example with sequins.
• Knitted or ribbed tights. Go with knitted dresses and make the look cozy.

Which tights go with a black dress depends on the occasion: thick for every day, fine for the evening, colored tights as an accent. You will find dark styles among our black dresses.

How to style a dress with a sweater

With a sweater over a dress, you can wear a summer dress in winter too. The easiest way is a short sweater that ends at the waist. A longer sweater can be loosely tucked into the dress at the front or topped with a belt.

Turtleneck under a dress

A second option is a turtleneck under a sleeveless dress: the sweater is the bottom layer and you wear the dress over it. You will find sweaters in many colors among our knit sweaters. More ideas for a sweater over a dress are in the guide dress with a sweater.

Which jacket goes over a dress?

The length of the jacket depends on the dress. Short dresses go with short jackets and cardigans as well as long coats. With midi and maxi dresses, a coat of about the same length or longer looks calmer than a jacket that ends halfway down the skirt.

• Cardigan. Worn open, the cozy option for indoors, preferably in a color from the dress.
• Short jacket. Bouclé, check or faux leather jackets go with short dresses and boots.
• Coat. For outdoors, long with long dresses.

You will find matching styles among our cardigans and winter jackets. More about cardigans is in our guide how to style a cardigan. Which jacket goes with which dress is explained in the guide jacket with a dress.

Dress with boots

Boots are the quickest way to make a dress winter ready. What matters is where the boot ends and where the dress begins.

• Short dress and knee-high boots. Only a little tights shows between hem and boot, which looks closed.
• Short dress and boots. Lace-up boots or ankle boots with tights are the casual option.
• Midi dress and boots. The hem falls over the boot shaft, so hardly any leg shows.
• Maxi dress and ankle boots. Flat ankle boots almost disappear under the dress.

You will find styles among our boots. More ideas are in our guide how to style boots.

Wearing a summer dress in winter

Airy dresses made of cotton or muslin can come with you into winter with layers. Underneath thick tights and, if needed, a thin long sleeve top, on top a chunky knit sweater or a cardigan, plus boots. Dark colors such as black, brown or khaki look more wintery than pastel shades.

Three winter outfits with a dress

For every day. Brown knitted dress, belt, brown tights and flat boots.

For the office. Black dress, a beige cardigan over it, thick tights and ankle boots.

For the evening. Dress with sequins, fine tights, lace-up boots and a long coat. Festive ideas are in our guide Christmas outfit for women.

Shop the look: dresses and boots.

Frequently asked questions

How do I style a dress in winter?

With thick tights, boots and a layer on top such as a sweater, cardigan or coat. That way even a light dress becomes winter ready.

Which tights go with a black dress?

For every day thick black tights, for the evening fine ones. Colored tights, for example in burgundy, add an accent.

Can you wear a summer dress in winter?

Yes, with layers: tights, a long sleeve top underneath if needed, a sweater or cardigan on top and boots.

Which shoes do you wear with a dress in winter?

Ankle boots, knee-high boots and lace-up boots. High boots go with short dresses, flat ankle boots with long dresses.

Can you wear a sweater over a dress?

Yes. A short sweater or one tucked in at the front turns the dress into a skirt look. Alternatively, wear a turtleneck under a sleeveless dress.