How To Layer Underneath Dresses

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How To Layer Underneath Dresses

— by Angie

on October 5, 2010

Adding a layer underneath a dress is an effective way to transition our wardrobes from Summer into Autumn. Got to love the versatility of a frock!

There are two important things to keep in mind. First, layering in this way requires a certain style of dress. You’re after a dress made of fairly thick fabric, either lined or unlined, knit or woven. This way the under layer doesn’t show through the dress. Sleeveless wool blend sheath dresses are ideal for layering because they are fairly rigid and substantial. Second, the layer underneath the dress should generally be thinner than the fabric of the dress. While this is by no means a hard and fast rule, it’s a pretty flop-proof strategy.

Consider layering the following items under dresses:

Button down shirt: Any color and sleeve length. Scrunch up the sleeves for outfit texture and a more relaxed vibe.
Soft blouse: Solid or patterned. Blouses with collars work best as do those with mandarin collars. Blouses with pussycat bows are extra-sweet layered in this way.
T-shirt: Three quarter sleeves or long sleeves will do. These work best under a more casual dress.
Knit top: Depending on the integrity of the fabric, knit tops can also work under dressier dresses.
Turtle neck: These come in both jersey knit (T-shirt fabric) and fine gauge knit (sweater fabric). The former is for casual occasions whereas the latter dresses things up.

I don’t want to stifle your creativity, so don’t limit your dress layering options to sleeveless sheath dresses and the layering pieces suggested above. But it’s a good place to start if you’re new to the concept.

Get stuck into that wardrobe and begin the experimentation! Combine all sorts of layers under your dresses and see what happens. The results could be arty, hip and above all cost effective. Inspire us by posting your favourite combinations on the forum.

Update: A few days after this post I followed up with another where I model two examples of layering underneath dresses.

Use your imagination to picture these dress styles layered over the right button down shirt, soft blouse, T or knit top. I vote fab.

Autumn 2010 · Dresses

48 comments · Add a comment

Sparky

Veteran

Very helpful pointers, Angie! Especially the note to pay attention to the thickness of the fabric for both the dress and layering top ~ I wouldn’t have thought of that myself.

I have seen wonderful WIW posts in the past on the forum where members have layered a button-down collared shirt under a sleeveless dress. I’ve always wondered how they keep everything so smooth and flat? I would think if I tried this, some part of the outfit would ride up or twist or some such thing.

October 5, 2010 at 4:11 am

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I’m doing this today!

October 5, 2010 at 5:59 am

Tanya

Veteran

These are some great tips Angie! Most of my dresses are too thin for this, but I do have one or two that might be thick enough, like a ponte sheath dress. I also like to layer sleeveless or short-sleeved sweater dresses over long sleeved button-downs.

October 5, 2010 at 6:40 am

Lisa

Veteran

I really like this concept, seems like a great way to stretch a wardrobe. I’m hunting for dresses more suitable for layering. Too often I purchase floaty, thin styles for hot weather, then they sit for the rest of the year. The only dress shown I can’t picture layered with something underneath is the strapless one. I feel like dresses with thicker straps make layering easy but no straps or very thin straps, I doubt see how this can look like a polished look. I am hoping someone on the forum does this so I can see what it looks like.

October 5, 2010 at 6:47 am

PalmFronds

I am always looking for ways to add warmth and stretch my closet, so thanks Angie! The weather is getting to where it perfect for trying this now.

October 5, 2010 at 7:07 am

Mae

Active Member

Excellent tips. I’m with you on voting fab; not so sure about whether I have the right dress for it. What do you think about laying *over* dresses that are less substantial? I don’t mean adding a cardi, but actual shirts, sweaters, or button downs?

October 5, 2010 at 7:14 am

Claudia

Veteran

Angie, what about short sleeve dresses, such as shift or sheath styles? Are they as easy to layer as the sleeveless variety you’ve pictured? Any special tips or consideration for layering under short sleeve dresses? Thanks!

October 5, 2010 at 7:33 am

Maya

Veteran

Wow, these are quite dressy frocks. I’m not averse to mixing casual and dressy elements, but the second one is a bit much for my taste. The others are still quite dressy for me but I can see them working if styled differently.

This is overall a great way to transition some of my summer dresses into fall. I am layering under my denim dress and the look is so much more interesting to me than on its own. I also have a few sleeveless sheath dresses that I always layer under. I love the look of dramatic and colorful sleeves. So mod and fun. I look forward to wearing dresses this way every fall now.

I also recently layered a lace jacket and I was surprised how good and…not weird it looked. That started a lot of experimenting with layering cardigans UNDER my dresses. It’s fun to discover unconventional ways of using conventional items.

October 5, 2010 at 7:35 am

Sihaya

Veteran

OK, you just inspired me. Thank you. I have a grey sheath dress and I think my red button down will work great with it. I will try that today.

October 5, 2010 at 7:56 am

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I have been already doing this for a month now since the weather cooled down! I love the versatility of a sleeveless sheath dress for layering opportunities and they are becoming my wardrobe workhorses pretty fast. I also find that sleeveless A-line dresses are suited for layering very well as they are roomier and don’t show the layer underneath.

October 5, 2010 at 8:13 am

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I’m open to trying this look, but oddly enough my selection of suitable dresses is limited. All my summer dresses are silky summery weights, and while I can think of a couple that could work over a base layer, most of them have the wrong sleeve length or the wrong type of fabric, I think. That said, I want to layer one of my black and white dresses over my new red silk tunic. And I have a sleeveless circle print one (with lots of turquoise) that I can picture over a 3/4-sleeve white button-down with a big collar.

October 5, 2010 at 8:15 am

Queen Mum

Veteran

I love the idea of layering to stretch a dress… I do it more by adding a jacket over it. I do layer underneath, but I have a hard time doing it without feeling like a school girl.
I’m having a hard time picturing how to layer that floral dress you linked to.

October 5, 2010 at 8:29 am

Antje

Veteran

I looove layering underneath dresses! One of my favorite “work looks” is layering a charcoal or black simple sheath dress over a button-down shirt. It looks very professional but also really funky at the same time. For a more conversative look I add pumps, though my preference is to wear this with boots (hose or no hose depending on the season.)
I’ve also layered with other dresses, and one look I got particularly intrigued by is layering a soft blouse or a button down under a strapless dress like the second one above (without the bow). I tried this with a summery dress but somehow the neckline didn’t make it work that great; I’ll keep trying though.
Experiment, ladies, especially if you like a bit of a funky edge!

October 5, 2010 at 9:10 am

Debbie

Veteran

Love this look will have to experiment with this.

October 5, 2010 at 9:13 am

Marlene

I’m not sure about any of the examples that you showed, Angie. They seem too dressed up and event-specific. I just cannot get my brain around it!

However, the concept is excellent for stretching your dress wardrobe to work for more of the year. In my world, I would think that a more “basic” sheath in a more neutral/less shiny fabric would work better for this purpose. Or a more casual style dress. For example, I have a sleeveless denim dress that I wore a lot this summer and I am thinking it would look good layered over a black knit top with my black boots to extend its wear to another season.

October 5, 2010 at 9:17 am

bj1111

Veteran

i would try it, but my dresses are really fitted especially across the tummy that any excess fabric would not permit the dress to be zipped or would be too clingy.

getting a baggier dress or more lightweight items to underlayer is not a direction i’d like to go, though i do find the look appealing.

October 5, 2010 at 9:45 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Marlene, your idea is the conventional one and I mentioned that in my post. The pictures of the linked dresses are for more daring dressers.Trust me. They look great layered with shirts and blouses! Just a lot more arty. Also, you lead a very casual lifestyle which makes these looks seem more dressed up. For my style they are every day – bar the strapless number. Hope that makes sense.

Claudia, of course you can layer under short sleeved dresses! A sweet look.

October 5, 2010 at 9:50 am

Marlene

Well, I am definitely not a daring dresser! However, I LOVE seeing daring dressers. Maybe some actual pics to show how these event frocks can be layered as you described will help my brain wrap around this. So far, everyone seems to have described more conventional examples they are trying….which I am loving BTW. But you seem to be alluding to something altogether different and at a level I had never considered.

October 5, 2010 at 10:02 am

mamark

A good friend of mine picked up a black textured heavy wool strapless sheath dress when we were shopping together at a designer outlet. I thought she’d never wear it – how often do you have occasion to wear a strapless dress. But she wears it to work over a white button-down blouse with lots of pearls and it looks…well, FAB!

October 5, 2010 at 10:07 am

rute

Veteran

oh.. I have several perfect dresses for that!

October 5, 2010 at 10:24 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

This is something I intend to practice soon, when the girls were smaller I would find layers underneath a dress uncomfortable, having to carry a baby on your hip would scrunch up the under layer. This year I purchased dresses in the summer which I could layer in this way for fall. I’m excited to retry the look this year.

October 5, 2010 at 10:37 am

taylor

Veteran

Simply brilliant.!!
I am going to try this out sometime this Fall/Winter. I just need to take some time and find the right dress with the right blouse under, that will no doubt take me some closet play time!

October 5, 2010 at 11:21 am

Cecilia

I just bought this dress

http://www.target.com/Mossimo-.....de=1038576|1287991011&searchSize=90&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

to do precisely that! I’m planning on bringing it on an trip this coming March. I’m planning on layering it with several button down shirts and a t-neck under, and also with the button downs over it. I can also wear it solo, or with an obi belt. It fits so nicely and is surprisingly well built for the price… Let’s hope that it holds together as well.

October 5, 2010 at 11:32 am

Stephani

I’m on the fence with layering under dresses. To me it just looks too school uniform jumper-y, although I’m sure there are ways to do it that look much less so. I may try it once the weather is reliably cooler, but with much less formal-looking dresses than the examples you showed Angie. I don’t know, though, even with a nice lightweight wool sheath or A-line, I have a feeling that my attempts will come out looking too rumpled or become uncomfortable throughout the day.
I guess I’m just a conventional layer-er when it comes to dresses–cardigans and blazers overtop, not layers underneath.

October 5, 2010 at 12:01 pm

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I’m so excited that I just tried this for the first time a few days ago after your ‘transition to fall’ post. I was amazed by how well it worked (and how cosy and warm I felt!).

As ever I love your ‘rules’ Angie – the pointers for what tends to work best. The fabric thickness point is a good one.

Now I’ve tried it once I’m keen to try it again. I think I may only have one dress to try it on, so looks like I might be wearing that one quite a bit in the near future.

October 5, 2010 at 12:12 pm

Marley

Veteran

I like the idea of doing this – but (and this absolutely blows my mind) I have NO dresses in my current wardrobe that would even remotely work for this look. First of all I have very few dresses, period – and 2nd, the ones that I do have are all summery prints or very thin material, or they are pretty clingy and there is no way I could get something else underneath them. So . . . unless I come upon a dress somewhere that doesn’t cost me a dime (I’m trying to SYC) I’m going to pass on this look this fall. However, I look forward to seeing everyone’s pics! I’m hoping that some of you will go a little “out of the box” and try more than just your basic sleeveless sheath! That is what I would be doing – IF I was participating! (But, I’m not – sob!)

October 5, 2010 at 1:03 pm

Linda

I love this, though maybe not with the first three of those specific dresses. Oh, who am I kidding, I would definitely do the third as well as the fourth. I like stretchy tops like the ones here for this purpose: http://www.countryewe.com/category.cfm/205 They conform to the body and don’t add bulk. Easy to fit a cardigan over also. I even layer simple jersey skirts under dresses that feel a bit too short–the things you do when you wear dresses all winter!

Not fond of crisp button-down shirts under a dress, though.

October 5, 2010 at 1:54 pm

jill

(website)

i have been doing this a lot lately, so i appreciate new ways to think about this angie! it’s such a great feeling when you think of new ways to expand your wardrobe.

October 5, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Kate

Veteran

I really should try this once it gets cooler. I’ve always been more inclined to layer over dresses, but I might be limiting my options.

October 5, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Mac

I never considered doing this until I found YLF. I can’t wait to try this and hope that many of you ladies will post photos of your successful attempts to give me further inspiration.

October 5, 2010 at 3:12 pm

Diane

(website)

Thanks for the advice! I have to admit that I have a whole lot more wardrobe options than I have ever really considered. This post was extremely helpful!!

October 5, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Barbara

Veteran

Love this post! Today I bought a killer gray studded ponte knit dress and I can hardly wait to style it. It’ll look fierce with a black turtleneck, wide red leather belt and my red patent Privo ballet flats.

October 5, 2010 at 3:28 pm

valleycat1

I’ve seen other style blogs where they use a strapless dress like the one shown over a more covered blouse – gives off a corset/bustier vibe. I don’t care for the look that much unless there’s a layer on top too (a jacket or sweater) – otherwise it looks unfinished. I’ve bought a couple of lightweight longsleeved cowlnecks with the intent of using them as layers under a few dresses. I like using a top that is the same color as leggings or skinnies under a dress to eke out a few more wears during transitional times. A dress that buttons all the way down the front can also be worn open as a duster, which I guess technically is layering under!

October 5, 2010 at 3:46 pm

Diana

I like this look best with woven blouses and sleeveless (but not strapless or spaghetti-strapped) sheath dresses made out of wool or something similar, but I think it’s essential that the dress is not skintight to start with so that no unfortunate sausagey-ness occurs. I will add a belt or something if it’s looking too baggy in the waist. I don’t like it with strapless dresses, but then again I don’t like strapless dresses in general.

While we are on the subject of layering, another thing I like to do is layer a light cotton or tulle skirt under a shorter dress – it functions both as a slip and as a fun additional pop of color or pattern or volume.

October 5, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Laura

(website)

Veteran

This post reminded me of Antje immediately – I have always loved her layering of dresses. So creative, but somehow conservative at the same time. It’s a great look!

October 5, 2010 at 4:33 pm

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Oooh a big yay from me. My favourite under-layer for dresses is a long sleeved grey& black striped t-shirt. I have worn this look to death all winter long and still love it!!!

October 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm

Kim

Veteran

I tried this today with a dress I bought to wear to my hubby’s 30th reunion. Admittedly it’s a little “less” dress than I would normally wear but I liked the back especially and loved the dress. I didn’t see anywhere else I could wear it though. (This is dress buying pre-YLF…LOL)

Now I added a red turtleneck and some opaque tights and booties and this dress now has a much more conservative vibe that I’ll be able to make work all winter long.

Thanks Angie, I just gained another dress in my wardrobe!

October 5, 2010 at 5:10 pm

Kyle

Veteran

Can’t wait to see some pictures. In the 70s here today! Maybe I can try layering a dress this week.

October 5, 2010 at 7:05 pm

Refugee

Veteran

This just gave me another option for my favorite dress! Thanks Angie.

October 5, 2010 at 7:38 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Always pushing that fashion envelope, Marlene

Mamark, high five! That’s what I’m talking about. I’m sure your friend looked fabulous.

October 5, 2010 at 9:49 pm

Lena

I have a sleeveless wool sheath that’s used only for this purpose. Well, it’s actually quite short, so maybe it’s not technically a dress.

Laura, I immediately thought of Antje as well

Also, I think Anne from the forum (Australian Anne) layered a red strapless dress over something (a white buttondown maybe?) It was super.

October 5, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Julianne

I recently have tried layering over a dress. The result is quite nice. A tee over a jersey dress makes for a skirt that flows nicely over the hips with a cute top over. Add a belt and you look fab!

October 6, 2010 at 5:52 am

shana

Veteran

I usually layer over rather than under because I feel like it adds bulk where I don’t need it. I do have a couple of dresses where layering under might work and I have a sleeveless ponte dress I bought last winter with the express intention of layering under though I have not had a chance to try it yet. I prefer the look of a crisp white button down or a nicer knit/woven top. Layering with a white tee reminds me of the 90’s!

October 6, 2010 at 5:58 am

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. Tried this with a black strapless dress and white cap sleeve button down. Not so sure. I will admit this dress has only hung in the closet because I feel the strapless is ‘too much’ for most occasions. So maybe the layering under is a good way to at least pull it out and test drive it.

October 6, 2010 at 3:32 pm

Kari

Veteran

This is a great challenge. I’ve only really layered under the more “conventional”, solid-colored, sleeveless, normal necklined sheath dress. Perhaps I’ll experiment with some of the other dresses that are less simple to see if I can layer under them as well.

October 9, 2010 at 11:52 pm

How to Layer Cardigans Over Dresses | YouLookFab

(website)

[…] an effort to wear our frocks into Autumn and Winter, we’ve discussed layering under dresses and layering jackets over dresses. Today I complete the series by addressing how to layer cardigans […]

October 26, 2010 at 4:01 am

Jennifer L

I have a tattoo on my chest and will be attending a rather conservative event. . . I found the dress and blazer i want but you can still see my tattoo. Im wondering would i look too stuffy if i paired a turtle neck under my strapless dress and have my blazer on?

November 6, 2012 at 11:25 am

Betsy DiJulio

(website)

Great considerations, especially thickness/weight of both layers. And super example of one top with two very different dresses. Opened up worlds of possibilities. Thanks!

August 19, 2013 at 8:46 am

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