If you’re staring at your closet contemplating whether or not you should make a Goodwill pile out of your plain dresses, you may wanna hold off. These babies are VERSATILE, and there’s sooo many looks you can make out of them.
Traditional plain dresses are great investments because you can wear them over and over again, because they’re versatile, timeless, and the perfect base for so many looks. With the right accessories and styling tips, you can easily switch a look from lackluster to luxurious. We’re gonna show you what to wear over a dress, what to wear with a dress, how to accessorize the dress the whole nine, babe.
NOWWW, let’s explore exactly how you can make a plain dress look pop.
How To Dress Up A Plain Dress
Wear a stylish belt with your dress.
There are sooo many benefits to adding a statement belt onto your look. Not only does it highlight one of your best aspects (your waist, of course), it also effortlessly elevates the look! By defining your waist, you’re transforming a casual dress into something sexy, elevated, and polished.
Try adding a statement blazer.
Layering a blazer over your plain dress immediately adds style and sophistication. It’s also a great hack to include different patterns and textures. This will break up the monochromatic aspects of a plain dress and add a bit of depth!
Think about what type of jewlelry fit the vibe you’re going for.
Jewelry is a great way to create focal points on a look. If your dress is leaning a bit more on the basic side, wearing statement jewelry can instantly make an outfit chic and dressed up. If you’re in a setting where flashy jewelry may not fit the vibe, highlight the look with some classic, minimalist pieces!
Grab a statement scarf, regardless of the season.
If you didn’t already know, scarfs are super versatile. They weren’t just made to accessorize with in the fall or winter! (Don’t believe us? Check out how to wear a scarf in summer and you’ll change your mind.)
Scarfs are an ultra-trendy way to elevate a plain dress look. They introduce color, texture, or even fun patterns!
Layer your look with a turtleneck or a long-sleeve.
Layering is functional, practical, andddd fashionable. Especially in these transitional periods between seasons, we need something that can work with allll the different temps throughout the day!
So, try wearing a turtleneck or long-sleeve shirt under your dress. It’ll add lots of visual interest and it’ll keep you warm, too which is great when you want to wear your summer or spring dresses all year logn! If you’re looking into visiting one of the best fall destinations in the US for example, this look is a must-have for those warm afternoons and chilly evenings.
Grab a cardigan for shape and texture.
Cardigans come in all shapes and sizes, which is perfect when you want to add volume, geometry, and a chic edge to your dress. Whether you choose something chunky and loose-knit or slouchy and thin, a cardigan can add a lot of personality to a dress. Normally, it makes the whole look more relaxed and more feminine, which is a great way to make a plain dress remain stylish while still making it versatile.
Create an edgier look by wearing a leather jacket.
The texture of a leather jacket is great at providing contrast to a plain dress It INSTANTLY takes your look from basic to edgy and chic. Even if you don’t feel like wearing it, consider draping it over your shoulders as an accessory!
Choose footwear that fits the vibe and stands out in all the best ways.
Shoes. Are. Statement pieces! 👏 You can make or break a look depending on what shoes you pick. This is why we recommend going with styles that fit whatever aesthetic you’re going for. And, since the dress is already lacking personality and pizazz, go crazy with your shoes and let them do all the work!
Want something more athletic? Sneakers. Going for business casual? Classic pumps. Want something light and airy for the summer? Wedges. Need something warmer and just as sexy? Heeled boots. Make your outfit stylish from head to toe!
Pick out your favorite statement bag for some added style.
Sooo, we know that if you’re already wearing a dress, you’re probably running low on pockets. (Why TF aren’t they making more dresses with pockets???) BUT, you can pick a bag that’s both stylish and practical. They do exist! (We’ll recommend some below, of course). Plus, if you pick a bold handbag, it can bring a lot of energy to your dress, just like statement shoes.
Rock a hat to embrace the season.
When you’re trying to think of a way to wear the same dress from season to season, we have good news for you: different hat styles exist for that reason! A straw hat in the summer screams relaxation, and a wide-brimmed fedora in the fall screams sophistication. Nobody will know that you’re wearing the same outfit twice if you spice up the accessories, right???
15 Plain Dress Accessories
Belts
Want something minimal and modest? Or do you want something more bold and dramatic? We have options for both, babe.
If you want even more options, we have 10 belts made in the USA and some extra American made belts for you to check out!
Blazers
Let’s add some sophistication and style to your plain dresses with any of these bad*ass boss b*tch blazer choices below!
- Doubleface Satin Broad Shoulder Blazer W Ostrich
- Wool Knit Boyfriend Blazer
- Jillian Peak Lapel Blazer
- Felix Blazer
If you need more inspo, we have 11 more women’s blazer options ready and waiting for you!
Simple Jewelry
If you want to spice up your plain dress look with some dainty pieces, we have just the selection.
- Raia Set of 3 Stacking Rings
- Baby Pearl Choker
- 14k Gold Bead Bracelet Stack, Set of 3
- Pamela Gold Heart Shape Clip-On Earrings (Wearable even if you don’t have your ears pierced!)
Chunky Jewelry
If you want a little bit more of that eye-catching element with your accessories, you NEED these ASAP.
- 24k Gold Electroplate Oval Link Chain Necklace
- Bexley Necklace
- Alessandra Earrings
- Dream Rain Large Link Hinge Bracelet
Scarves
Scarves can be worn tons of different ways and in all different seasons, which makes them one of our fave accessories. Take a look at some of the ultra-trendy options we found!
- Naturally Hand-Dyed Lightweight Cotton Scarves
- Minimalist Silk Skinny Neck Scarf
- Cashmere Patchwork Shawl
- Flannel Scarf
Turtlenecks and Long-sleeves
Before you count plain dresses out for the cooler seasons, check out these turtlenecks and long sleeves that you can layer with for the perfect transitional season look!
- Cropped Fitted Turtleneck Top
- Lani Long-Sleeve Turtleneck Top
- Slim Fit Short Sleeve Turtleneck Top
- Mesh Long Sleeve Twist Top
- Long Sleeve Cropped Baby Tee
Cardigans
Another one of our fave seasonal additions to plain dresses are these comfy and cozy cardigans! (Also suuuper cute to wear with other outfits, BTW!)
- Thermal Cardigan with Hood
- Neshat Contrast-Trim Cashmere Cardigan
- Celine Fleece Cardigan
- Seersucker Cropped Cardigan
Leather Jackets
You can effortlessly transform a regular plain dress into something edgy, sexy, and eye-catching with a leather jacket! Just take a look:
- Water Repellent Michaela Jacket
- Boyfriend Leather Jacket
- Metallic Croc-Embossed Leather Jacket
- Kitra Collarless Calf Leather Jacket
And, if you wanna mix and match textures, we have American leather handbag options that you can have fun with!
Sneakers
Take a look at some of these sneakers if you wanna keep your plain dress ‘fit cool, casual, and maybe even a little sporty!
Wedges
Want some summer-friendly shoes that compliment your look? No problem, we found some wedges that will fit the vibe perfectly.
Heeled Boots
Heeled boots have the sophistication of a high heel, but with the cozy vibes of a practical boot. We LOVE them for transitional looks. Here are some faves:
Pointed-Toe Pumps
If you need something office-ready, you’ll be super excited to get your hands on a pair of these pointed toe pumps!
Statement Bags
If you don’t think your plain dress will attract much attention, let your statement bags do the talking, gf.
- Midi Sac Woven Leather Crossbody Bag
- Mesh Hand Bag (It’s LITERALLY a hand bag. Patting ourselves on the back for this find).
- Maggie Leather Shoulder Bag
- Fuschia Sparkle Mini Egg Bag
Summer Hats
If you’re looking for hats to match your summery, relaxed, plain dress vibe look no further!
Fall and Winter Hats
Anddd to compliment a fall or winter plain dress look, we have the perf hats for you!
- Floppy Brim Wool Fedora Hat
- Harlowe Wool Panama Hat w/ Velvet Ribbon
- Sparkle Bucket Hat
- Animal Print Wool Newsboy Cap
There are SO many ways to put some life back into a plain dress look!
No matter the vibe, the season, or the aesthetic you’re going for, there’s TONS of ways to compliment and enhance a plain dress look and we gave you girls allll the tips and tricks. Let us know in the comments what you think!
For ideas like what to wear to an engagement party, types of shoes to wear with jumpsuits, or even American-made products to elevate your home, visit our blog! And, to shop for allll of your American-made needs, take a peek at our shop for endless options!
