How to wear your maxi dresses through the fall

Just because the temperatures are starting to cool down doesn’t mean you have to shove your summer dresses into the back of your closet.

While the season for mini dresses and skirts may be—sadly—drawing to a close, we firmly believe you can wear your long summer dresses until the snow comes (and even then, with the right boots). The secret? Accessories and layering.

Of course, all-in-one dresses are appropriate for every season, but maxi dresses are particularly chic options that streamline getting dressed for autumnal transitional weather. They work well as the base for other fall wardrobe basics, such as a lightweight jumper or an over-the-knee boot, and they are fuss-free too.

To get more life out of your maxi dresses, here’s how to wear them on chillier days.

Tip #1: Layering with sweaters (and a belt)

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When it comes to styling summer clothes for fall, layering is the name of the game. One of the many ways you can layer a maxi dress for fall is to style it with a cozy, chunky sweater. The sweater will provide the needed warmth to make it through a chilly autumnal day and add the perfect fall vibes to your outfit. Fall is all about sweater weather for a reason! The cherry on top of this fall-ready look is using a belt to cinch your sweater at the waist: this will give you a more defined silhouette and add some visual interest to the overall look.

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FatFace Skye Mint Green Knitted Pattern High Neck Jumper

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Tip #2: Layering with a jacket or blazer

A guest wears red scrunchie, gold earrings, gold bracelets, gold rings, white layered beaded necklaces, bright red maxi dress, shiny black leather jacket, shiny black flip flops, outside Gestuz, during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024-2025 on August 8, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Miriam Akosua Nehring wears black sunglasses, white earrings, black tailored blazer jacket, black maxi dress, silver sequin black bag, gold rings, shiny black ballerina flat leather shoes, outside Gestuz, during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024-2025 on August 8, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Fall is synonymous with sweater weather, but in many temperate countries, it’s that time of the year when outright cold mornings are followed by balmy afternoons, making getting ready for the day much more difficult. Warmer fall days call for other types of layers—like a blazer or a jacket that you can take on or off as needed and even wear draped over your shoulders. A monochromatic black look composed of a blazer, a sleek maxi dress, leather flats, and statement accessories will take you from desk to drinks with ease, while a leather jacket can be styled with a brightly-hued, long summer dress for casual days out.

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Tip #3: Knee-high boots

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Knee-high boots are a quintessential fall staple which comes in handy when styling a long summer dress: the added coverage of a tall boot—with some tall socks to match—will keep your lower half warm, and even allow you to get away with wearing light and sheer materials well into September. Cowboy boots are still a trending style along with biker boots: the former being more slim and ironic, and the latter being chunkier and edgier. The other boot styles to check out for Fall 2024 are square-toed, slouchy, and micro-heeled boots.

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Tip #4: Lightweight trench coat

A guest wears black maxi dress. white shell statement necklace, yellow coat and navy blue bag outside the Mark Kenly Domino Tan show during day three of the Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) SS25 on August 07, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images

Nothing screams transitional weather like a good ol’ trench coat, and it just so happens that trench coats pair extremely well with summer maxi dresses. Classic trench coats by Burberry have been an integral part of the preppy fashion canon for decades now, making them investment pieces and bonafide staples for spring and fall alike. A floor-length summer dress can be styled with a long trench coat, sleek heels, and statement jewellery for an elegant evening out, while a flowy floral print dress will look great with a trench coat for casual Fridays at the office or Saturday morning brunch.

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Tip #5: Accessories to wear with your summer maxi dresses

Maxi dresses can serve as a blank slate for your accessories. When styling an “off-season” maxi dress for fall it is especially important to use your choice of accessories to lean into more season-appropriate vibes. Leather and suede belts, shoes, or bags are all great ways to achieve the right balance between summery and autumnal pieces. Statement jewellery is always a must, and knitwear like chunky socks, gloves, and hats will also infuse some warmth into your look.