I love this time of year with the fabulous weather, fresh summer produce, longer days and…SALES! Twice a year, at the end of summer and winter, I load up on clearance items I can use throughout the year. I buy toys and children’s items I can use as birthday and Christmas presents, summer patio and interior items on clearance also make great birthday and Christmas presents for adults (and hostess gifts.) And of course, I pick up a few items for myself. One thing I look for when shopping end of the season clearance clothes are items I can wear year-round. One of the easiest clothing items I can do this with are summer dresses. Once you add a sweater, blazer or cardigan to a sleeveless dress, you’ve instantly turned it into a fall/winter item.
This sleeveless printed dress from Target ($15) would look great on most everyone and is a perfect example of how to take a dress from summer to fall. You can easily throw a cardigan or sweater on over this, add some tights and boots and you’re ready for cooler weather. If you own a basic blazer or cardigan, why not take it with you when shopping so you can see how it looks. This dress comes in 4 different colors in sizes from X Small to XX Large.
Colorblock dresses have been in style the past year and will still be a popular item this fall/winter. This black and white V-neck dress can not only work year-round weather-wise but you can very easily dress this up or down. Dressed up with heels and dressier accessories, this would work for an evening out or wedding. Throw a belt and blazer on and you can wear it to work. Boots, tights, a sweater and pop of color scarf easily works for running errands or lunch. AND it’s only ten dollars at Wal-Mart!
This maxi dress is a perfect example of how, just by changing your shoes and accessories, it can be worn to the beach or summer barbecue or in the dead of winter for a holiday event or cozied up next to the fire for a causal night in. Strappy heels and a pair of chandelier earrings can make it cocktail worthy but slip on a pair of flip-flops and a straw hat and it’s perfect for summer days. Throw on some chunky boots and a sweater, and you’re ready for winter. I have a similar dress I found at Goodwill (I did only pay $1.99) that I seriously wear to more “occasions” than any other dress I own.
This summer dress can be easily transformed into a cold weather office dress. Black and white is always in fashion. Add a classic black blazer, black tights and some chunky-heeled loafer pumps for a simple but professional look.
There are so many colors you can pick up and showcase in this BB Dakota striped dress. Toss on a cable-knit sweater in grey or blue and add layers of necklaces or add a belted cardigan. Leggings and ankle boots with a denim jacket would look fabulous too.
Love this AB sheath dress on clearance at Kohl’s for $10.80. This is another style that looks great on most body types and in the dead of winter, a pop of color makes me feel better. I personally think this would be a fabulous dress to wear on a Valentine dinner out (or in!) with a little bolero jacket.
I personally love animal-prints and this zebra-print dress would look fabulous with a cropped black leather jacket (or pleather, which is more what I can afford.)
Houndstooth is another timeless pattern and this dress would look so cute with tights and black velvet flats or booties.
These are just a few examples of all the fabulous summer dresses on sale that you can actually wear in the fall/winter. Look past the sleeveless or spaghetti strap designs and imagine them with your favorite jackets, blazers, sweaters or cardigans. Imagine what they’d look like with tights, leggings or opaque hose. Add your favorite winter boots, loafers or pumps with a winter bag and you have a totally new look. Think heavier textures when you’re taking summer clothes into the colder months and you’ll instantly have a ton of “new” outfits you can wear without spending a lot of money. And of course you can always wear these summer clearance dresses next year…in the summer!