How to style a maxi dress when it’s cold outside

Depending on your feelings towards colder weather, the winter months are either a time of sartorial celebration thanks to endless coats and boots, or a semi-depressing time in which you must bid adieu to the midi and maxi dresses that dotted your summer wardrobe.

woman walking in white maxi dress and brown belted blazer

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

As any northern inhabitant will testify, every cold-weather wardrobe requires a good coat or two (or three, four, or ten…). Blazer, trench, or puffer — a coat will not only keep you warm, but the right style can instantly glam up your outfit.

This winter, don’t be so quick to abandon your favourite midi and maxi dresses; rather, try out one of these cold weather-friendly ideas to keep warm (and cool) in your long summer dress.

1. Style it like a maxi skirt

blonde woman wearing maxi dress with blue blazer and white handbag

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

To get more life out of your summer maxi, try styling it as you would an ankle-grazing skirt: layer it with warm pieces like thermals and blazers, and cinch your waist with a belt. We love this outfit idea with an ’80s-structured blazer and boots.

-65%

Reiss

White Linen-blend Double-breasted Suit Jacket, 12

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£98.00 ~~£280.00~~

Reiss

-40%

Thom Krom

W B 2-0-3 11 Black

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£220.00 ~~£369.00~~

Labels

Veronica Beard

Ivory Tweed Blazer Size XXS White

Delivery: £5.00

£180.00

HEWI

-50%

Elisabetta Franchi

Blazers, female, Pink, XL, Rose Blazer with Metallic Details

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£493.29 ~~£986.59~~

Miinto

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2. Clash patterns

woman wearing polka dot black maxi skirt and white and black striped sweater

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

We’re kind of obsessed with this pattern-clashing winter look. Topping your dress with a fun sweater makes for a unique yet chic look while keeping you toasty as ever.

-13%

Gaëlle Paris

KNITWEAR - Jumpers on YOOX.COM Brown

Delivery: £9.00

£112.00 ~~£129.00~~

Yoox.com

Anine Bing

cotton sweatshirt - Brown

Delivery: £10.00

£180.00

FARFETCH

-41%

Courrèges

Reedition Knit Short Sleeve Jumper Black

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£230.00 ~~£390.00~~

Labels

-42%

Fat Face

FatFace Bonnie Black Sparkle Wrap Cardigan

Delivery: £4.95

£40.00 ~~£69.00~~

FatFace

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3. With a chunky cardigan

Streetstyleshooters/Getty Images

If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably figured out that layering your maxi dress is the key to wearing it after mid-September. A chunky-knit cardigan is another perfect layering piece for your maxi: it’ll give your fit a cozy, romantic vibe.

-38%

Fat Face

FatFace Faye Teal Blue Ribbed Crew Neck Knitted Cardigan

Delivery: £4.95

£35.00 ~~£56.00~~

FatFace

-50%

Ganni

Beige Cardigan in Cable Wool

Delivery: free

£205.00 ~~£410.00~~

GANNI

-32%

Fat Face

FatFace Blanche Green Oversized Sparkle Knitted Cardigan

Delivery: £4.95

£44.00 ~~£65.00~~

FatFace

-32%

BESTSELLER

Kocca

Stylish Cardigans for a Chic Look White

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£78.30 ~~£115.71~~

Miinto

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4. Floor-length coat

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

It’s true—we love a floor-length coat. Elegant, classic, and most importantly, weather-smart, a floor-length coat is a must-have for any winter maxi dress outfit.

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Varley

Vermont faux shearling wrap coat Red

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£150.00 ~~£215.00~~

Mytheresa

-55%

Frenken

Water Mens Peacoat Brown

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£385.00 ~~£849.00~~

Labels

-49%

Reiss

Mink Wool-blend Belted Blindseam Coat, 12

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£198.00 ~~£390.00~~

Reiss

-15%

Desigual

Single-Breasted Coats, female, Pink, XS, Pink Check Coat

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£154.34 ~~£181.74~~

Miinto

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5. Top it with a blazer

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

If you don’t already own a high-quality blazer, this is the time of year to treat yourself to one. This work-appropriate staple is perfect to elevate your maxi dress + sneakers combo and you’ll find yourself reaching for it time and time again.