How to Wear a Dress

If you want to be comfortable but still look stylish, consider investing in some classic dresses. These are easy to wear and can be dressed up or dressed down with a variety of accessories. Add a cardigan and a pair of tights and you can make a summer dress work in the winter, too. There are likely a few other items in your closet that will offer such versatility and will remain current from season to season.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tank top Supportive bra Stretchy shirt Tights Boots Flats Heels

1. Wear your dresses the same way you would wear a pair of khakis and a T-shirt. A dress can serve as a basic "uniform" that you accessorize to make it work for almost any occasion. Look for easy-care fabrics such as cotton, polyester, matte jersey or wool blends.

2. Shop for dresses in neutral colors like tan, black, navy and brown. Realize that you can pair these with vests, blazers, blouses and cardigans to change the look completely.

3. Try on dresses that float away from your body for the most comfortable fit. Ideally, if the top fits well, even an A-line, empire waist, baby-doll style or loose sheath will still show off your figure underneath.

4. Select a supportive bra and underwear that is "no-show" to avoid letting unsightly lingerie lines detract from the look of a dress. Try a pair of Lycra pantyhose to smooth out any bulges you are worried about, or try a hold-in slip.

5. Wear a pretty floral dress throughout the year. You can make it work in the colder months by pairing it with woolen tights, booties and a thick cardigan and scarf. The flowered print will be a nice and unexpected touch.

6. Layer your dresses to make them multi-functional. A tank dress can also serve as a jumper over a blouse. Or a dress can be the perfect foundation to wear under a buttoned blazer, making it appear more like a tailored suit.

7. Look for dresses in a range of styles and prices. You will want to have a few nice dresses for weddings, job interviews and other special occasions, but you may also want to buy some inexpensive ones. Stores like H&M, Forever 21, and Macy's and Nordstrom's junior departments have a wide selection of casual dresses that are very affordable and look very fashionable.

8. Splurge on a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress for a classic item that will last a lifetime. You will be able to dress this up or down and wear it anytime. Just change up the accessories to make it work with the latest styles. For instance, pair it over a tank top with flip-flops and add a long, colored bead necklace in the summer. Or add a cashmere shawl, tights and boots for a winning (and warm) winter look.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a vintage dress look more modern by wearing it with colored leggings or over skinny jeans. Recognize that simply changing your shoes can completely change the look of a dress. For instance, a plain shirt dress or sweater dress can work with flats, pumps, loafers, clogs and all different styles of boots.
• Avoid outdated dresses with large shoulder pads and those with a hem that comes to the widest part of your calf. If you have any such out-of-date items, bring them to your tailor for an easy makeover.

Resources

• H & M
• Forever 21