Dress(ing) for the Season

We currently find ourselves in yet another season of transition from fall to winter, and with the emerging winter air, comes the quickly approaching event season. Dressing (pun intended) for this time of year is much different than dressing for the vibrant and airy wedding season of the summer, which often offers more flexibility and freedom with wardrobe choices. With the chilly air comes a change in fabrication, dress details, silhouette and colour pallets. Checking your weather app can often be a cruel reality check when it ruins your outfit plans. We’ve all been there! So, in hopes of making dressing for the season a little easier, I’ve put together some key points when you’re thinking about stepping out in a dress for your next house party, formal event, or fun night out.

Fabrication

Let’s be honest, we live in Canada. This means it’s pretty cold for a good chunk of the year, leaving us to often rely on practicality more than we might like. Enter the sweater dress. This is a fan favourite of mine in winter months when I want to lean into a dress moment but also don’t want to freeze. It’s cozy, comfortable and still allows you an element of style. Sweater dresses come in many silhouettes so there’s really something for everyone, whether you want a form-fitting, boxy or relaxed look. It also lends itself well to versatility depending on how you play with accessories. You can try a sneaker for a more casual vibe, or a heeled boot for a night out.

Colour Pallet

I always think of winter as darker months, and no I’m not talking about my depression which always tends to worsen with these shorter days. I’m talking about wardrobe colour pallets. This time of year I tend to lean more into rich neutrals or deep hues instead of my usual vibrant tones. Considering the colours you’re wrapping yourself in is an important step in looking put together this time of year. Am I saying you have to hide away your hot pink sweater? Absolutely not! I won’t be! But I recommend evaluating whether the colour pallet you’re wearing feels appropriate for the season. For example, a rich taupe or bright red, are definitely aligned with this time of year, while a pastel might feel too spring or summer for the season. Go with your intuition and see how the weather affects your colour scheme.

Details

Though we might not be wearing strapless necklines in the brisk winter air, there are certain styling details that suit this season perfectly when finding the right dress. While I don’t want to encourage “rule” following, these are some of my suggestions on what to look for when choosing a dress this time of year. Embrace sleeves where you can, they always look sleek, sophisticated and a little sexy. Can’t complain about that! A neckline detail whether embellishment, sweetheart or asymmetric is a great way to catch the eye and add some subtle interest. Similarly, details at the hem can be a stunning addition, a touch of texture, shear fabric or an asymmetric line. Winter might mean cold, but it doesn’t mean boring my friend!

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