How to Pull Off 2016’s Dress-Over-Pants Trend
You love dresses and pants. So why would you not love them as a pair? The whole skirt-or-dress-over-pants trend might be one of the oddest but strangely satisfying trends of this season and it’s very easy to pull off. All you really have to do is embrace the layers (which is also great for winter), try different textures, and pay extra attention to colour palettes and prints.
The real secret to doubling up is to make sure everything you’re wearing has a similar aesthetic. If you prefer things slouchy and casual, toss your favorite summer dress over jeans and add a gauzy scarf. But don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be.
Match your skirt to your pants.
With a tucked-in oxford shirt and similar coloured layers, the trendiness is really there. Pair with sleek, classic pumps and a classic undo. The whole look feels classy yet trendy.
When in doubt, play it safe with colour.
With this trend, you can experiment with colour and texture and here’s a guaranteed way to make this look work for you: Embrace your neutrals. What would feel over the top, actually looks quite simple if you pair it with white, black, and camel colours. The long shirt-dress layered under a cropped sweater is extra-fashionable with a longer coat. Since the colours of the printed pumps are echoed into the whole look, they’re pretty much invisible.
Don’t be afraid to try exaggerated proportions.
In my world, layering a calf-length silk shirt dress beneath a boyfriend blazer and over a pair of cropped jeans should NOT work. But, due to the funky textures and low-key colours, this outfit seems effortlessly cool. The slim cut of the blazer helps saddle the flowing dress, and flat sandals help make the whole thing appear a more “Why not?” than “Please look at how hard I’m trying.”
Don’t forget a statement piece.
When you take a first glance, this look is kind of over the rainbow fashion, right? However, if you take a moment and look at each piece it’s not so out of reach. The skirt is the boldest statement, and you could easily copy the look by finding something similar to it and just layering it over an entirely black look and your favorite leather jacket.
Re purpose one of your favorite summer dresses.
If you thought your gauzy white summer dresses could not be reused for the winter months, try again. Hone a seriously cool bohemian look by wearing a lace dress over flared jeans and under a long faux fur coat. The high-low hem and swing compatibility of the dress is what makes this look feel purposeful and fashionable at the same time; it wouldn’t work with a more structured dress.
Go bold with a matched set or monochromatic layers.
For those who are totally sticklers and have to seek out a matching set that’s meant to be worn together, this off the shoulder dress is cut with a high slit that actually reaches the waist and high-low hem shows off the slim trousers worn underneath. The matching fabric gives the whole outfit a really sophisticated and grown up look, but you could achieve the same effect by layering one colour you already have in your closet, like navy, white or black.
