We all want more use out of the clothing we already own and love, right?!
Whether you’re constantly hopping between different climates, or experiencing the temperature finally cool down in your hometown after the long summer heat – it’s important to know that you’ve invested in those few key pieces that can withstand time and the ever changing elements.
Enter: the mini dress.
The mini dress is my favorite all-weather companion. With a little accessory swap here and a few styling tricks there, she makes the transition from city to city and season to season seamless.
Below, I’ve rounded up some fun, colorful mini dresses that make the shift between warm summer days and the crisp Autumn air easy and effortless.
Here is this exact dress:
(click on the arrows to see similarly inspired dresses)
SUMMER:
In the summer, I style this dress with a brightly colored headband, oversized raffia earrings with a pop yellow, a straw tote, and either strappy heels or sandals depending on the occasion.
FALL:
In fall/winter, I accessorize with deeper colors and opt for burgundy OTK suede boots, a wool rancher hat, and layer on a faux fur coat or chunky knit cardigan for those cooler nights.
Here are a few of the elements I look for in a mini dress that will ensure it’s ease of transition from summer into fall/winter, therefore guaranteeing it’s longevity in my closet:
SLEEVES:
Sleeve length is the most important element on a mini dress and will determine how you style it from season to season. Spaghetti straps, thick straps, flutter sleeves, and strapless almost always need a sweater layered under or over it to bring it into fall (this is a whole other topic I will create a post for!) If you don’t want to layer a turtleneck or sweater under your dress, I find that any type of sleeve past your shoulder makes a mini dress instantly feel more appropriate for cooler weather (puffy sleeves as shown, 3/4 length, long sleeve).
COLOR:
Oranges, blues, purples, greens, reds, and yellows easily slip between summer and fall. While I appreciate a pastel moment, richly saturated hues and jewel tones look better on my skin tone and are what I naturally tend to learn towards year round.
FABRIC:
This can make or break it. Velvets, tweeds, and heavy brocades are generally too hot to wear in the summer, but chiffons and lighter weight mini dresses can easily be layered into the fall. Owning a chunky knit cardigan or an oversized denim jacket is a great way to bring your summer dresses into fall, especially when you toss on a wool or suede accessories.
PATTERN:
Pattern is very subjective to your own personal style, I find stripes and florals the easiest patterns to mix between seasons, and if the pattern has rich hues – any tropical print!
Of course there are always exceptions to this guidelines – be sure to use your own creativity and styling to make it your own, but I hope these tips and tricks helped!
Happy November – stay cozy, stay warm!
xx, CC
