Back to School Shopping: 3 Cute Fall Dresses & How to Wear Them
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been going over all the must-have pieces for fall 2009. Now that you’ve seen jeans, tops, and jackets for fall, what back to school fashion list would be complete without a few cute dresses?
I know what you may be thinking: Dresses? For fall? Really?
Yes really! Dresses are SO easy to wear into fall. All you need are a few fashion tricks to make them work. Dresses are perfect for fall because they can be worn for day or night (perfect when your schedule is packed) and they make getting ready a snap: just throw one on and 90% of your outfit is all set. Easier than wearing jeans!
Here are 3 cute, budget-friendly dresses for fall, along with outfit ideas to get your inspiration going.
1. The Floral Summer Dress
Floral Brushed Dress – Forever 21
Okay, I know it’s a “back to school shopping” article, but who says you can’t shop in your own closet? You know you have one of these dresses already – that pretty floral number you wore all summer long but don’t know what to do with come fall.
Fear not! You don’t need to pack that dress away ’til Spring! There are tons of easy ways to wear your summer dresses in September and beyond – all you need is some creativity and a few choice transition pieces. An example outfit is pictured below.
Outfit Inspiration:
For an easy way to make a pretty summer dress more casual for fall, wear a strapless option layered over a white tee – it’s unexpected, fun, and very right-now. Add a boyfriend blazer on top and finish with slouchy ankle boots and a great bag.
Product Information: Boyfriend Blazer and Studded Boots – Dorothy Perkins, Bracelet – Miss Selfridge, Tee – Forever 21, Tote – Aldo
2. The T-Shirt Dress
Striped T-Shirt Dress – republic.co.uk
A basic t-shirt dress is a simple basic that can be worn in a variety of ways. It’s one of those truly versatile pieces that will last you more than a few seasons: wear it alone with sandals in summer, over skinny jeans as a tunic in winter, or with tights and a cardigan in spring or fall. So many choices: how do you wear yours?
Outfit Inspiration:
This look is super basic, but the accessories give it a little something extra. You could always add more jewelry or a more colorful cardigan to make it stand out even more.
This look is all about layering: a simple tee shirt dress works well over simple black tights, and a basic long cardigan adds warmth and texture. Purple flats add interest and practically scream fall, while a tan handbag ties all the other colors together. I finished this look off with a long gold necklace to add sparkle and play up the gold accents on the flats.
Product Information: Cardigan – American Eagle, Flats – Soda at CutesyGirl, Charm Necklace – Forever 21, Black Tights and “Montegalda” Handbag – Aldo
3. The Lacy Dress
Chiffon Lace Tiered Dress – Forever 21
Ladylike, demure, cute, pretty: all adjectives that would normally describe a lacy dress. But styled right, the exact same piece can also convey a casual elegance and stylistic risk-taking. It’s all in the accessories. Oh, and the attitude. But you knew that right?
Outfit Inspiration:
This look brings a summery white lace dress into September – it would be perfect for wearing to class because it’s a casual, comfy, and so easy to throw on in the five minutes you have to get ready.
This outfit is so simple to recreate: To start, belt your lacy dress at the waist to add some edge. Then wear your dress over black tights and under a comfy denim jacket to give it a cool, casual vibe. Finish off with some comfortable flats and a roomy tote for a look that’s put-together but not overly so.
Product Information: Black Opaque Tights – Gap.com, Flats – Blowfish at dELiA*s, Belt – Dorothy Perkins, Denim Jacket – American Eagle, Tote – Aldo
Honorable Mention:
To complete this list, I wanted to mention other types of dresses you might want to stock up on for fall.
I didn’t feature them prominently in this article, though, because they’re difficult to find for cheap online. I recommend checking stores like H&M and American Apparel for these basic pieces.
The Basic Jersey Dress
Of all the fabrics used to construct dresses, cotton jersey is one of my favorites. It’s comfortable, versatile, hardly ever wrinkles, has enough weight to drape fabulously but is light enough to keep you cool through the hot summer months. A jersey dress is one example of an item every woman needs in her closet.
Where to buy a jersey dress? H&M has tons of well-cut options, and I’ve also spotted a few cute & inexpensive ones recently at Express. Buy one in a color that works with most of your wardrobe, and layer your favorite fall jacket on top with tights underneath for a fabulous fall look.
The Sweater Dress
Sweater dresses are a great choice for fall because they keep you warm without sacrificing style. Wear them bare legged with boots on a warmer day, or with tights and a jacket when it gets cooler outside. For extra style points, look for a sweater dress with rips a la Alexander Wang or DIY your own!
Your Thoughts?
These are just some of my ideas for cute fall dresses – feel free to substitute your own finds and of course wear them the way YOU want!
You’ve seen how I would style these dresses, now I want to know how you would wear them! Which dress is your favorite for fall? What would you wear it with? Do you have any tips for wearing dresses in the fall? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!
Posted on on August 13, 2009 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Back to School Shopping, Class, Dresses, How To, Ideas, Inspiration, Outfits, Shopping, Tights, Tips
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Deloreen
I like all the looks but I think the 2nd one is my favorite (Different colors for the dress though). :)
johnieemma
I love love love wearing dresses and tunic during the fall. So much more comfortable than jeans and you automatically look more stylish.
I think a tshirt dress, leggings, knee high boots, fitted jackets and long chain necklace look amazing as an outfit for casual hanging out or class- and it can be a sort of uniform for days you need to get ready quick.
awesome post!
Brooke
You know what’s annoying? The “Why are you all dressed up?” comment that seems to be inevitable when wearing a dress. How do you avoid that? It’s not even like I’m more dressed up than when wearing jeans, it’s like dress=fancy to most of the general popuation. I think this is more of a rant than a question, but if you (or anyone) has any tips I’d love to hear them!
I found a beautiful purple short-sleeve sweater dress on clearance…$100 off! (I paid $25). So excited to try boots sans tights with it, thanks for the tip!
Quick question: Where can I find super warm tights for winter? Normal tights just aren’t cutting it, and I hate giving up my skirts October 1st. I need something at least as warm as leggings but that aren’t leggings. I notice you have a few tights suggestions up already…which ones can I keep warm in?
Thanks so much for your posts. :)
Julie
ah i love all of these outfit combinations. i’m especially inspired by the tee-shirt dress outfit. i have one of those dresses and i’m so excited i have a better understanding of how to bring it into fall.
amazing post!
Abbie
What about the maxi dress? I have a few that I’ve worn to weddings and graduations and the like but I’m never sure how to wear it in a casual way?!
Luna
Brooke, I have BOTH the problems that you have! I hope someone comes up with something or Zephyr will help. :)
Ashlee
Brooke & Luna – what are you wanting to wear tights with? If it’s boots (or something that covers your ankles,) try ankle-length leggings! That’s what I plan on doing this winter. :) Nobody can tell that they’re leggings, and they’re super-warm. Plus, F21 has a bunch of colors for less than $5!
I don’t know what to do when I want to wear heels, or flats though!
I LOVE these looks, Zephyr! I was dreading putting away my summer dresses!
Jennifer
I love wearing dresses all year long! Tights and cardigans are godsends during the ultra cold winter months. Thankfully dresses look great with boots too.
FloraD
I love all the outfit. especially summer floral dress and white lace dress. awesome color combination .
Jess
Not a big dress fan, but I do love the T-Shirt Dress. I have 2 of them. great article.
Jen Tarte
I really like how you styled up the white dress! It’s inspiring me to actually go out and BUY a dress just so I can wear something like that for fall.
Luinae
The t-shirt dress is a really great one with a super cute outfit. I think I may try to pick one up for Fall. You could probally get them on sale too, now that is’s the end of Summer.
I totally agree with Brooke! It happens to me when I wear heels. People ask why I am so dressed up. I’m like “Hello? It’s a 2 inch high heeled boot!” So annoying.
Brooke- Warm tights are pretty much just ones that are 100 denier. This is the thickest and most opaque tight, so they are the warmest. Hope that helped.
Tatiana
I actually have the first dress, thanks so much for giving me ideas on how to wear it into the fall!
yoko
I have great help from your suggestions for ‘Back to school’ series, and This is also really good inspiration.
However, hope you give some more suggestion of other country stores for shopping, for European or Asian viewers, for example RiverIsland or Newlook in UK. Thank U :-)
Ally
i adore the second and third look. the only thing i can’t stand is the white t-shirt under the tube top summer dress. for me, i think just a blazer over the dress would be fine.
Brittney
I have a black tshirt dress that looked dressy enough that I was able to wear it to my internship this summer. However, there is NO way I could have worn it without a belt – it had absolutely no shape unless I had one on.
Michelle
Like Jess, I’m not a big dress fan either, but I would absolutely love to own at least t-shirt dress. I think they’d look especially cool with black leggings (can’t say I’m too fond of tights) and a pair of scrunched up ankle boots (but that’s just me), maybe boots that are a little higher (not knee-length) if I’m really feeling gutsy that day. :)
Patricia
Great post Zephyr! I absolutely love the back to school series!
Does anyone know where I can get an affordable waist belt? I’ve been looking all over but can’t seem to find some :(
Anna
To get warm winter tights, look in a local Forever 21- I got some that had warmer fabrics woven into them and they kept me nice and toasty. A big secret I have is that when i wear thinner tights when it’s colder out, I wear warm socks over them that nobody can see because I’m wearing boots! (:
For waist belts, If you have a 2 Cute near you, they have a lot of stretchy belts you can utilize. Fred Flare has a few cute ones as well, see their online store at fredflare.com.
Where are the best places to get tights for cheap?
rachelle
although im not a fam of some of these outfits, i love all of the ideas and would wear any of them with a few changes to make them my style! i especially love that striped tshirt dress! dresses have been my staple all summer so its good news that i can keep them in my closet for another season:)
Mani
I love articles like these so much!
That floral dress is simply darling, and I recall seeing Sarah Jessica Parker wearing it in the way you gave as an example (a T-shirt underneath.) And good God, I must have at least 7 lacy dresses haha, 5 of them being white. They’re so gorgeous and feminine, and they’re great for lazy days cause often times they’re embellished so much you don’t have to add much to it. Just throw it on and run out the door and look cute.
Christy
Great outfit ideas Zephyr! I can’t wait to wear my dresses into fall.
Hey Brooke, this article by Zephyr really helped me with that “why all dressed up?” issue:
http://www.collegefashion.net/college-life/how-to-deal-with-fashion-haters/
I realized that the only thing that matters is how you feel in your own skin. If your outfit makes you happy and you feel good in it then don’t worry about a thing. There’s nothing wrong with wearing whatever you want and feeling good about it!!
jackie
Amazing post, again awesome help with the outfits – love them. I particularly love the stripped tshirt/tunic option. love love. :)
Lena Michelle
i love dresses!
t-shirt dresses are so versatile :) thanks!
la petite fashionista
in LOVE with the first pick! so funny actually, this is almost exactly my suggestion for a back to school outfit that I just wrote about. great minds think alike! :)
Dubai Stylista
Zephyr, what a great post! Like a lot of people reading your site, Im a huge fan of the back to school shopping series. So informative and full of wonderful ideas. :)
Quinn
love this! dresses are so fun. just wanted to mention- as far as cheap jersey dresses, I’ve found that old navy usually has good options. I just got a 3/4 sleeve navy one for just $15! great for fall.
Reneé
They’re so cutee :) I love the floral dress ! those kind of dresses look very feminine when worn with thin waist belts and short denim jackets love them :)
caro
i know the “why are you so dressed up? you know what i just say, i´m all so dressed up for me… or i have a date later… or you could do a Perez and say “why are you so dressed down? hehe.
keep gorgeous girls
steph
i was wonder where you got those CUTE boots in the first picture? i want them!(;
marisol.hernandez
i really like the last one i think its really cute i just love lace