How to make your spring dress into a winter dress

Dress: Kate Spade (old, similar below!) // Jacket: Old, similar below // Booties: Pour La Victoire // Knee socks: Forever 21 // Bracelets: J.Crew and SeeSong designs fishtail bracelet // Ring: Nordstrom Rack (old, similar here)

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve been getting very antsy with my closet lately. Despite the fact that it’s still sub zero outside, I’m telling myself that spring is just around the corner, so I’m starting to mix in some spring items for the sake of my own sanity.

One of the things I like to do is rotate a spring dress into my arsenal. Styled with the right pieces, it adds just the amount of cheer to brighten your winter day, without being total spring overkill.

1. Start with your favorite spring dress

Pull some of your favorites out of your closet and play around with them. The trick is to just make sure it’s “layerable,” that is, have a silhouette that allows for layers to be added without it looking bulky or frumpy. For example, if this dress flared out at the sides, it would look like I was 10 pounds heavier by wearing this jacket. But if the jacket was cropped, that would look much better! Tighter fitting dresses often work better in this case, OR you can add a belt to create a more defined waistline.

2. Add layers underneath, over the top, or both

One of my favorite ways to sneak in some extra warmth is to add a turtleneck underneath (which you all know by now). Just make sure the neckline allows for you to do so. This dress looked weird with a turtleneck because it has a high V neckline. If you want to layer a turtleneck under, scoop necklines are the most foolproof.

So, in this case, since the “under” was out, I went with layering “over” and adding a classic, black leather jacket. (Which you can never go wrong with!) Granted, I still need a heavy coat over it to go outside, but that’s okay. Layers, remember?

3. Include some edgy elements

An easy way to tone down the springy factor in pretty much anything is to pair it with edgier pieces. Here, the leather jacket and booties work together to accomplish this, but it can also work with a punky handbag, or jewelry as well.

4. Pair with boots or booties

You don’t get much wear out of those booties when it’s 90 degrees outside! Often times, booties=winter, so wear your flirty floral number with boots now, and then swap them for feminine sandals later.