When it comes to fashion, layering dresses is a creative and chic way to elevate your wardrobe. It’s about mixing textures, colors, and styles to create unexpected combinations that make you stand out.

Quote of the day: “Our words have power, but our actions shape our lives.” Rachel Hollis

In this blog post, I will show four unique ways of layering dresses, perfect for experimenting with pieces you already own.

While this can be extremely fashionable and beautiful, it can also be functional for the following reasons:
-Used to cover up a tight dress (here are more ideas for when you think your dress is too small).
-Camouflage an oversized dress or one that has stains on it.
-Layering dresses is warmer for winter.

Insider tip: We have learned to layer tops without a second thought. It’s only practical that we can layer all forms of clothing as I’ve showcased in the past:
–Layering skirts
–Pants over leggings
–Skirt over a dress

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I include articles, videos, and posts that strike my fancy and since I have no siblings to share with, I share with you.

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So grab your favorite frocks, and let’s dive into the world of layering dresses with these four fabulous ideas:

1. Charlotte– Layering Dresses: Tight T-Shirt Dress Under a Shirt Dress

The idea of layering a tight T-shirt dress under a shirt dress is as practical as it is stylish. This look creates dimension and can transform your everyday shirt dress into something fresh and unique. It’s especially genius when you want to make a casual t-shirt dress look fancier.

While you may not appreciate it when a dress is too tight, it can act as a second skin, allowing the shirt dress to flow effortlessly on top.
This is the same concept when you are layering tops. You want the base layer to be fitted.

Why It Works:

• A fitted T-shirt dress provides a sleek base layer without adding bulk. Another idea for dressing warm without the bulk.
• The shirt dress can be buttoned partway or left open as my mom did in the title photo (my favorite way)
• A belt can create structure if the shirt dress is loosey-goosey.

Details:

-Charlotte recently picked up this t-shirt dress while thrifting. She wasn’t able to try it on and thus didn’t realize it would be so fitted. By layering the shirt dress over it, she can still wear it and look fabulous.
-With the mix of prints, solid black boots ground the look.
-She used gold accents for her jewelry and the belt.

2. Lesely- Layering Dresses: Long Sleeve Dress Under a Sleeveless Dress

When the weather turns cooler, a long-sleeve dress under a sleeveless dress is your go-to outfit formula. Not only is it practical for layering, but it also extends the wearability of your summer dresses into fall and winter.

Lesley has shown this polka dot dress before when talking about hiding our bellies. Her trick with creating ruching on the side is brilliant as it allows you to see some of the dress underneath at the bottom.
In these photos, she accomplished this with clear elastic, but in the past, she used a red flower pin.

Why It Works:

• A long-sleeve dress adds warmth and coverage without overpowering the sleeveless dress.
• This combination gives you endless opportunities to mix textures and/or prints.
• Adding the pink pops of colors is great for fun focal points.

Details:

-The pink scarf is draped around her neck and tied with a single simple flip without a knot. Scarf tying doesn’t have to be difficult to be beautiful.
-If you don’t have pink shoes, you could always opt for a neutral pair like light grey or skin-colored.

3. Jodie-Layering Dresses: Sheer Dress Over a Too-Big Dress

Who says oversized dresses have to sit at the back of your closet? A sheer dress layered over a too-big dress can breathe new life into both pieces. This combination is an artistic approach to layering that’s both dramatic and fashionable.

Insider tip: I am wearing an elastic belt over the purple dress to shorten it, and then the leopard belt over the white fringe dress.
I’m not only layering dresses but also layering belts.

Why It Works:

• The fringe dress becomes the focal point and you don’t notice that the purple dress is oversized.
• Layering sheer pieces is very creative as I’ve shown in the past.
• It’s a perfect way to showcase the colors or patterns of the larger dress underneath.

Insider tip: You could use a swim coverup for layering dresses as the top dress if it’s sheer or crochet.

Details:

-This oversized dress is too long without some sort of shortening. (You’ve seen it on Instagram using its pockets as a belt).
-The addition of a leopard-print belt adds edginess and mirrors the print of the boots.

Insider tip: These elastic belts (which are available in solid colors too) are fabulous for any shaped woman. Use code Jodie15 for a discount on an already inexpensive item.

4. Valerie–Layering Dresses: A Longer Dress Under a Shorter One

For those who love to experiment with proportions, wearing a longer dress under a shorter one is an avant-garde way to layer. This look works well with dresses of contrasting lengths and fabrics to create a multi-dimensional outfit.

Valerie even took it a step further and wore a shorter tank top over the 2 dresses. This added 3 different layers to the look, which is intentional and beautiful.

Insider tip: This is a great option if you have a dress that seems too short or even for a tunic. I have other ideas for a dress that is too short.

Why It Works:

• The shorter dress peeking out from underneath adds an unexpected detail.
• Layering different lengths creates a tiered effect that’s both playful and polished. I’ve showcased many ways to wear a tiered dress in the past.
• This combination allows you to highlight both pieces in your ensemble.

Details:

-Valerie’s longer black and white dress is sleeveless and while we think of layering cardigans and jackets over it, it can be creative to think about layering dresses. This shorter cowl neck, long-sleeve black dress/tunic is a fabulous option.
-The crochet vest is part of a two-piece set.

Insider tip: Remember, just because 2 pieces come together as a set, doesn’t mean they have to always be worn together.
IN FACT, it’s smarter to hang them apart with similar clothing pieces. When you look through your sleeveless tops, you will see them, and remember they came with a matching long-sleeve top. And vice versa when you look through your long-sleeved tops.
But if you hang them together, you won’t think about wearing the pieces individually when searching through your items.

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Final Thoughts

Layering dresses is a fun and innovative way to rethink your wardrobe. Whether you’re working with what’s already in your closet or adding a few new pieces, these four ideas are sure to inspire your next outfit.

Remember, fashion is all about experimenting, so don’t be afraid to mix and match textures, colors, and patterns.

Photo credit: Rob Filogomo

My Goal

Thank you for visiting my space on the internet. I like to showcase how it’s never too late to look great for women of any age, size, or working with any kind of budget.
I feel I’m here to help people move beyond the fashion rules of yesterday and evolve. Style and clothes are made to give you joy, not cause us Stress because we are worried about what others think.

My hope is that you get ideas and inspiration from Charlotte, Lesley, Valerie, and myself. It’s not about copying what we wear, but about using what you already have and updating items along the way.
Most of all it’s getting us to think differently and dare I say, have fun.

Welcome to Jodie’s Touch of Style. I’m here to prove that it’s never too late to look great. Clothing and style are meant to showcase your inner personality. So let’s have fun and try new things.

It’s not just about me on this blog, but also about my mother and friend. We get to showcase not only different decades of life but also different body shapes and unique personal styles.

The post Quadruple The Fun By Layering Dresses appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.

Jodie Filogomo Fashion Stylist

Jodie's Touch of Style showcases how it's never too late to look great including other older women and myself talking about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle issues.

As a retired dentist, Jodie takes her love of clothing and shopping and has come to find her superpowers in styling the same item in many ways. She is also a huge advocate for embracing our age and bodies. Getting old is a wonderful thing and learning to love ourselves while it happens is very freeing.

Looking great can happen no matter what age, shape or budget, as we show on Jodie's Touch of Style.