How To Style a Dress in Winter

A dress is more versatile than most people realise, and a change in weather doesn’t have to mean a complete wardrobe refresh. A Barbour dress can easily be paired with a signature Barbour jacket or jumper for extra warmth, and can add to what a dress has to offer. 

Great for capsule wardrobes and full wardrobes alike, dresses can be a year-round staple when styled correctly. When paired with bags, gilets, and scarves, a Barbour dress can create a well-rounded winter look that differs from the usual reliability of jeans and jumpers. Draw inspiration from our style guide below as we share outfit ideas and tips on styling a dress in winter. 

Which Dress Is Best For Winter?

When it comes to the unpredictable weather of winter many women stay away from dresses for fear of the cold. This needn’t be the case with the right collection of winter-ready accessories and winter dresses suited for the season. Curating a warm and on-trend seasonal collection is easy with Barbour’s winter range, our knitted dresses and long-sleeved dresses are the perfect option to elevate your current wardrobe.

Knitted Dresses

A knitted dress should be an essential part of your winter collection. The warmth of the soft yarn ensures that you are kept protected from the cold even when worn as a standalone piece. When extra layers are needed, a long knitted dress can easily be paired with leggings or jeans, and boots to create the ultimate cosy winter outfit.

ABOVE: Kingsbury Knitted Dress & Penshaw Cable Knit

The Kingsbury Knitted dress boasts a funnel neck and ribbed detail to the cuffs and hem, whilst the seasonal pattern spanning across the chest and back creates visual intrigue. The black and white colour scheme with subtle hints of red make it easy to style, and is best paired with combat boots and a beanie for a casual aesthetic without compromising on functionality. The Penshaw Cable knit perfectly complements the darker palette of the Kingsbury, and offers a cheerful seasonal touch through its faux-fur pom-pom. 

The Greenwell Dress in navy melange is reflective of the cool tones of winter, perfect for pairing with black leggings to create a subtle yet stylish contrast. The dress features a high neck design to protect from the cold with branded buttons on the shoulder placket for added detail. Combined with the cuffed sleeves with ribbed detailing, this dress offers supreme comfort and warmth to combat chilly weather. The Greenwell dress is best paired with lace-up boots such as the Barbour Meadow boots. The leather exterior of the boots keeps your feet dry in winter conditions, whilst the faux-fur lining creates more warmth and a luxury comforting touch. The quilt patterned heel is further complemented by the embossed Barbour branding for an unwavering visual aesthetic. 

Long Sleeved Dresses

A more lightweight winter dress can create a more elegant look which flatters the silhouette. In the winter a long-sleeved dress is the ideal option for a cosy yet functional look, especially on days when the winter’s sun is shining and the warmth is welcomed. 

The Lorelie Dress is the perfect balance between chic and casual for the winter season. Its chequered pattern is created with a neutral colour scheme and is symbolic of the classic Barbour tartan whilst the ¾ length volumed sleeves and tiered panel at the hem adds an elegant feminine shape. To accentuate the dress, a bag that complements the style and tone of the dress is an adroit choice. The Witford Quilted Tote is able to provide the accentuation needed for a well-rounded look, as the olive colour and quilted pattern creates a subtle contrast to the overall outfit.

How do you wear a dress in the winter?

Once you’ve found your staple winter dresses, it is time to refine your collection further with seasonal accessories and layers. Choosing pieces that are versatile will help you to create more timeless options that can be tailored to your personal style.

We recommend opting for neutral items such as the Lambswool Wrap in grey melange. Whilst the natural tone gives the option wear it with varying outfits, the wrap can be worn in different ways. Draped across the shoulders creates an elegant style whereas styling it as a traditional scarf provides added warmth and intrigue to an outfit.

If you’re looking to move away from modern casual looks, take your style further with a statement hat such as the Tack Fedora. Showcasing a traditional style and braided leather hat band, this fedora is an excellent alternative to traditional knitted beanies. When worn with a winter dress, this makes for an intriguing and stylish fit that exudes confidence. 

Though the winter can be harsh and cold, some days will be warmer than others. This means that you don’t need to hide your dress under thick winter coats, but can instead add to your outfit with a gilet. A gilet is especially suitable for thinner long-sleeved dresses to create warmth without a feeling of bulkiness or restricted movement. We recommend a gilet such as the Barbour Shaw in rose quartz; the gentle pink is not overbearing but stands out against the seasonal backdrop to add a touch of colour.

How to dress classy and elegant in the winter

Garments that feature long silhouettes and shapes are often seen as the height of elegance and class, particularly in the winter. By drawing inspiration from these styles in your outfits, you can help to recreate this class and elegance, even with more heavyweight winter clothing. Outerwear needn’t be something that is merely used to cover up in the cold, but the right piece can be used to exude class. A longline quilted jacket such as the Kilmory is the perfect example of this. Its chunky collar with teddy lining creates an air of opulence and visual appeal, while the all-over quilting adds extra texture as well as warmth that perfectly complements a winter dress. 

Alternatively, a classic waxed jacket is a fantastic option as the iconic Barbour style is easily distinguishable, effortlessly adding a classy and premium feel to your outfit. The Cannich wax jacket in the sage/ancient variation reflects the tonal notes of evergreen trees in the winter, whilst the neutral exterior allows the jacket to be worn with most dresses.

Stay warm and on-trend with Barbour 

Don’t store away your dresses until next summer just yet. Whether you prefer the cosy indoor settings of cafes and bars or explore the bustling winter scenes of vibrant cities, style your dresses for year-round use with Barbour’s accessories, footwear, and clothing collection.