May 28, 2024
Yes, You Can Wear Dresses Year-Round—All It Takes Is the Right Jacket
May 28, 2024
We’re always looking for easy outfit formulas that pack a punch without reinventing the wheel. At the heart of this quest is, of course, the dress. In the summer, this convenient item reduces your getting-dressed routine to a single step; you can throw one on and run out the door without a second thought. Yet, with the spring season upon us, dresses require a bit more layering. You likely need a handful of jackets to wear with dresses.
The proverbial challenge is, how do we continue to wear dresses year-round without sacrificing warmth or style? The right jacket can make an outfit, but the wrong one can hide it or make it frumpy. Luckily, there's a plethora of jackets to wear with dresses on the market, each of which is poised to reinvent evergreen dressing as we know it.
Between classic trench coats, oversized blazers, and leather jackets, all of these outerwear options keep functionality and style in close view, ensuring that your next transeasonal ensemble is IG-worthy. Shop the best jackets to wear with dresses below—but before you do, a few quick styling tips from our deputy editor.
When layering jackets and dresses, don’t be afraid to lean into dynamic textures. Whether pairing leathers with knits or denims with linens, contrast is your friend.
Shapes also play a key part. If you’re wearing a column dress, a belted jacket option will add some welcomed contour to your look. On the other hand, a roomier blazer or moto jacket will not disappoint when worn over fitted frocks.
– Danielle Naer, Deputy Editor
Table of Contents
Editorialist
1/7
Best Jacket To Wear With A Slip Dress: Oversized Blazer
When it comes to pairing dresses and jackets, the blazer is a fashion enthusiast favorite for easily transitioning a look from day to night. The combination, which is a go-to for insiders including Hailey Bieber and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has an androgynous yet polished feel that can be worn anywhere from the office to date night.
Create a romantic, formal ensemble by opting for a sleek blazer, such as the option from The Frankie Shop, and layering it over a silk slip dress and kitten heels. For a night on the town, on the other hand, pair your tried-and-true blazer with a backless slip dress and sky-high leather boots for extra depth and texture.
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2/7
Best Jacket To Wear With A Midi Dress: Hourglass Blazer
The ever-changing trend cycle can be overwhelming. If there's one thing we know, it's that a classic blazer will never go out of style, and will always be a go-to outerwear option for those breezy summer dresses. But blazers particularly chic when they come in an hourglass silhouette.
First introduced by Christian Dior's New Look from 1947, the feminine silhouette revolutionized womenswear during a time where Coco Chanel's streamlined jersey suits were in vogue. Today, brands such as Acler and Cult Gaia are modernizing the classically feminine style by incorporating gold detailing and oversized lapels. Pair it with kitten heels, oversized sunglasses, and your go-to midi dress and you have a sweet ensemble for those springtime outings.
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3/7
Best Jacket To Wear With A Mini Dress: Trench Coat
Trench coats are among the most versatile jackets to wear with dresses. Through World War I, the coat was a part of army officers' uniforms, giving a more casual look to the military's strict dress code. Now, we’re bombarded with trench coats all over the street-style circuit, thanks to today's top designers. Through the likes of Burberry, Jacquemus, and The Row, the modernized trench coat has proved its worth.
While it’s a staple during any season, this lightweight must-have is practically a requirement during fall and spring. Max Mara's colorblocked number adds a fun touch to the familiar style, while Khaite's clean, button-less variation gives a nod to the minimalist styles of the '90s. The Row's comes in a cashmere and cotton blend that will keep you warm during those chilly nights out wearing your favorite mini dress and strappy sandals.
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4/7
Best Jacket To Wear With A Patterned Frock: Belted Overcoat
For dresses with billowy shapes, flippy hemlines, and full skirts, opt for the belted coat. Every style-minded person knows that a belted waist gives an entire outfit a contoured shape, which can be a welcome change of pace from boxier coats.
If a belted coat is missing in your wardrobe, we recommend opting for a neutral-toned overcoat. An easy option would be Maria McManus' belted trench coat; it comes in a versatile warm brown shade with the soft texture of suede, and goes well with ornamented dresses, as it balances out the entire ensemble. For a more feminine touch, Magda Butrym's lightweight trench with the Polish designer's signature floral appliqué is the perfect springtime number to wear over those floral frocks.
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5/7
Best Jacket To Wear With An LBD: Boucle Jacket
Of all the jackets to wear with dresses, there is nothing more chic than a classic boucle jacket. Whether it's vintage Chanel or a contemporary Celine number, you can't go wrong with a boucle jacket to elevate a look for date night, drinks with the girls, or a dinnertime ensemble.
While dining alfresco, opt for Saint Laurent's black tweed jacket, which has a braided trim and gold detailing for a playful touch. And for those who’d rather forego yet another layer of black, opt for St. John's multicolor tweed jacket. Its snap fastening and mint hue will add an unexpected statement to a standard LBD look.
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6/7
Best Jacket To Wear With A Maxi Dress: Jean Jacket
Another capsule wardrobe staple, the denim jacket is one of the most versatile pieces you can own. While we're all for a Canadian tuxedo look, styling a denim jacket with a dress creates a laid-back look that feels comfortable and effortlessly chic for daytime affairs. The best part about denim jackets is that there are so many silhouettes to choose from: oversized numbers for casual looks, cropped options, and cuts in between that keep you comfortable during the transitional weather months.
If you're missing a denim jacket from your wardrobe, we recommend starting with the basics. The Khaite Grizzo Jacket comes in a classic denim wash and a relaxed, drop-shoulder silhouette. If you're looking for a statement piece, Balenciaga's flared option option or Dries Van Noten's billowing number may be more suitable for standing out.
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7/7
Best Jacket To Wear With A Long Knit Dress: Distressed Leather Jacket
There's a certain rustic charm in a distressed leather jacket. It gives off the vintage feel of being stolen from your dad's closet or discovered in a bin full of biker jackets from the '70s. A full year after the Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2023 show where the classic jacket made its runway resurgence, the fashion world can't get enough of the secondhand-style jacket.
Leading the movement is Miu Miu's oversized leather jacket that goes perfectly with the brand's rugged yet highly covetable shoulder bag. For an oversized, boxy feel, Khaite's Herman jacket pairs well with long dresses and the brand's signature Arizona boot for added texture play. It's the perfect pièce de résistance for parties, outings, and casual nights out in the city.
