How to Wear Sleeveless Dresses in the Winter？

When it comes to a dress, especially a sleeveless one, most people will think of summer. It’s true that summer is undoubtedly the home turf for dresses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them in winter. In winter, sleeveless dresses can also add elegance and charm to you, but the prerequisite is that you choose a dress that is more suitable for winter and grasp certain layering techniques.

For ladies in the southern hemisphere, winter is coming! If you don’t want to give up your beautiful sleeveless dresses in winter, then this blog is exactly for you! Ladies in the northern hemisphere should not miss this blog either. Although it’s summer around you now, believe me, many of the classic outfits mentioned in this blog will not be outdated even in this winter!

How to Choose a Sleeveless Dress That Is More Suitable for Winter?

First, before you think about how to stay warm through layering, choose a sleeveless dress that is more suitable for winter in terms of fabric and thickness. Compared to chiffon, silk, linen and other fabrics that can bring you a comfortable wearing experience in summer, you are more suitable to choose sleeveless dresses made of the following fabrics in winter:

❄️Wool. Wool is undoubtedly one of the best choices for winter clothing fabrics. This fabric not only has good warmth retention, but is also very skin-friendly and has a high-end feel. If you attach great importance to the wearing experience and have enough budget, you can even choose a sleeveless dress made of cashmere. For a more affordable option, you can also opt for a knitted wool sleeveless dress or simply a sleeveless sweater dress.

❄️Tweed. Tweed is a fabric that is both elegant and classic, and it brings to mind the elegant ladies and gentlemen of British style while keeping you warm. Its texture makes it more suitable for relatively formal occasions. However, tweed is relatively rough and not so skin-friendly. Therefore, if you want to choose a tweed sleeveless dress, you need to choose one with a soft lining, which can greatly improve your wearing experience.

❄️Velvet. A velvet sleeveless dress is also a good choice for winter. Velvet is not only delicate and soft, but also has a gorgeous luster. Therefore, a black or red velvet sleeveless dress will definitely be very eye-catching for occasions such as banquets.

In terms of the style, in order to keep warm, we recommend:

❄️A mock neck sleeveless dress. Compared to dresses with other types of necks such as square neck, round neck, lapel neck, etc., a mock neck dress will definitely keep you warm to a greater extent. A mock neck dress can even take the place of a scarf.

❄️A slim-fitted sleeveless dress. In winter, we need to wear a coat over a sleeveless dress to create a layered effect and also to keep warm. Therefore, if you choose a loose dress, the overall look will appear very bloated after adding a coat. In order to maintain the overall beauty, we recommend that you choose a slim-fitting sleeveless dress.

Outerwear to Wear with Sleeveless Dresses in the Winter

Sleeveless dresses are relatively cool even in summer, not to mention in the cold winter. Therefore, if you want to wear a sleeveless dress in winter, the second thing you need to do after choosing a suitable dress is to find a right coat to cover your arms. So what types of outerwear can be worn with sleeveless dresses in the winter?

❄️A long wool coat. A long wool coat is perfect for creating an elegant and feminine look, and it can cover the entire dress to provide you with extra warmth. To better suit the winter environment, you can choose a long wool coat in pure white, beige or khaki. Or if you would like to form an outfit which contrasts with the winter environment, go for one in a bright color such as yellow or pink.

❄️A cropped leather jacket. If the winters in your area are not particularly cold, then a leather jacket can actually be acceptable as outerwear. More importantly, a cool and unisex cropped leather jacket can create a sharp contrast in style with a feminine sleeveless dress. If you have chosen a long dress, then this short jacket and long dress can form a sense of layering through the contrast of length, creating a more fashionable look.

❄️A blazer. For very formal occasions, a blazer is still a must. A formal blazer pairs beautifully with a soft wool sleeveless dress. This outfit is specially suitable for the business occasions and daily commuting.

❄️A down coat. When the weather gets colder, a wool coat is not enough to keep you warm, then you definitely need a down coat. However, if the area you are in is not extremely cold, it is recommended that you choose a crop down coat with a dress, otherwise, a fluffy and long down coat can easily make you look very bloated. Especially if you are a petite lady, a crop down coat can better balance your figure proportion.

Accessories to Wear with Sleeveless Dresses in the Winter

In addition to accessories such as jewelry and footwear that need to be considered in different seasons, you can choose more accessories that can provide extra warmth for sleeveless dress outfits in winter.

❄️A scarf. If you haven’t choose a mock neck dress, then a scarf will become your must-have item to keep warm. It is better to choose a wool scarf, which is both skin-friendly and soft and has excellent warmth retention performance. From a practical point of view, caramel, oatmeal and beige wool scarves are versatile and full of high-end texture, so they can be your first choices.

❄️A beret. In the cold winter, it is not only your arms that need to be kept warm, but also your head. The most suitable style to match the elegant and charming sleeveless dress is a beret. Although the trend of hats has gone through many changes like clothing, the beret is still one of the most classic styles today. To add some highlight to your outfit, you can choose a beret in a bright color such as red or yellow.

❄️A pair of gloves. Gloves are also a type of accessory with specific winter marks! If you choose to wear a gorgeous velvet dress to a party, you can match it with a pair of elegant lace gloves. Or, if you are a pragmatist, a simple pair of leather gloves will be a more suitable choice for you.

❄️A pair of boots. The best footwear for winter is of course boots! However, the specific type of boots you choose also depends on the length of your dress. If you are wearing a mini dress, then a pair of long boots is the best choice of footwear for you. Not only will it cover more parts of your feet and calves, but it will also create a more perfect leg line. But if you have chosen a maxi sleeveless dress, then it is better to wear a pair of ankle boots or chelsea boots to complete a neat outfit.

Suggestions for Outfits on Different Occasions

Of course, your choice of sleeveless dress, outerwear and accessories will depend largely on the occasion you are attending. So, below here we will provide you with some suggestions on how to wear a sleeveless dress according to different occasions.

A red velvet sleeveless dress + a white cardigan + a pair of leggings

This is a retro style outfit that is both gentle and elegant. A red velvet dress will make you look more sophisticated and noble. Pair it with a white cardigan for a 90s-themed party is a perfect choice! In addition, do not forget to wear a pair of leggings to keep warm!

A black sleeveless shirt dress + a black leather jacket + a pair of sunglasses

It is an outfit in handsome and cool style. First of all, the all-black combination adds a touch of unity to your look. In addition, a black leather jacket and a pair of sunglasses also provide a hint of cyberpunk temperament.

A red tweed sleeveless dress + a black down coat

Red and black is a timeless classic color combination. Besides that, the tweed and down combination will also provide you with ample warmth. The most eye-catching styles are a maxi dress with a waist-hugging design and a short down coat. When you walk in the white snow, the red, black and white colors will complement each other, revealing an elegant and mysterious feeling.

A grey wool sleeve dress + a beige long wool coat

From a fashion perspective, this outfit is simple in style, without too many fancy patterns or decorations. From a practical perspective and the point of view of wearing experience, the all-wool fabric is very soft and skin-friendly, bringing you a comfortable wearing experience while keeping you warm.