Given that Dressember falls in December, which is winter for most of my readers, some of you are probably thinking, “But I’ll freeze!” So let’s talk about some ways to keep warm while wearing dresses.

Layer, Layer, Layer!

Regardless of whether you’re wearing dresses or something else, layers are one key way to keep warm.  We’ll talk about some specific layering options in a few minutes, but to start, just keep in mind in general terms that you can wear jackets, shirts, etc. layered with your dresses.  We have a tendency to treat shirts as layerable in a way we don’t think of dresses, so try to think of your dresses in a similar fashion!

Add Stockings

Personally, I find pantyhose nearly useless when it comes to providing warmth.  However, they’re not the only option!  Tights are thicker, and provide a little more warmth.  If you need warmer still, look for wool or cotton tights, which are extra-thick.  As a bonus, many tights come in fun prints or textures that can add a bit of “pop” to your outfit.

Wear Pants

Wait, what?  I thought we were talking about wearing dresses.  Well, we are — but nothing says you can’t wear both.  Obviously, not every outfit will work this way, but leggings, in particular, will work under many dresses.  Extra bonus: many leggings are fleece-lined, so you can be really good and toasty!

Toasty Underwear

The northerners among us are probably quite familiar with long winter underwear!  Although dresses will often not accommodate the pants (see the point above, for that), in many cases you can still wear the top.  Even thin layers can help some, as they’ll help hold in your own body heat, so something as simple as a full slip could be beneficial.  And depending on the length of your dress, one of my favorite “secret weapons” is a flannel slip.

To my knowledge, that isn’t something you can purchase, but it’s pretty simple to make one, with only basic sewing skills.  You can make it with either an elastic waist or a drawstring, and if you want to eliminate bulk, a simple yoke can help.  (Kind of like the top two tiers of this skirt.  The fuller bottom section allows for easy movement, while the less-full upper section creates less bulk around the waist and hips.)

Specialty Clothing

If all else fails, and you live (or are traveling to) someplace really cold, consider purchasing skirts or dresses designed specifically for warmth.  For instance:

A heavy, blanket-style tartan skirt, like this one from Scottesque

Or insulated skirts like these

Sweater dresses are also a great option.  They’re typically thick and warm, and go together well with leggings and boots.

Do you have any tips for staying warm in dresses?  I’d especially love to hear from those of you in the Great White North!