8 Best Coats To Wear With Dresses & How To Style Them

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If you’re already planning your winter outfits, check out this style guide on coats to wear with dresses, as well as how to style them for the winter season ahead.

With winter fast approaching, coats are a must. And coats for women come in all shapes and sizes – from the classic trench coats to double-breasted coats. Covering up doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style! And while pairing your dress with the right coat might be a confusing and often daunting challenge, we’re here to help with a style guide that we created just for you.

Keep in mind that there are certain types of dresses that only work well with the cold weather. This means ditching summery, flowy dresses and going for body-hugging silhouettes instead, as well as sweater dresses.

Below, we will discuss the best coats to wear with dresses for winter, as well as how to properly style them.

The Best Coats To Wear With Dresses

1. Oversized Coats

Blue winter outfit with oversized coat and dress

Via In The Style

One of the top trends this winter season is oversized, exaggerated coats in any color or fabric, like teddy, shearling, or wool. We love this trend, because not only does it make you look stylish, it’s also one of the few fashion trends that is truly practical!

Oversized coats are amazing at keeping you warm and protecting you from the elements, so consider investing in one, if you haven’t already.

2. Wool Coat

Best beige wool coats to wear with dresses

Get this coat on Silk Maison

Perhaps the most popular choice, you can never go wrong with wool coats. Wool coats work well with dresses because they tend to have a more tailored look which helps balance out the bottom half of your body. Not to mention, they are some of the warmest coats and will definitely keep you cozy!

Wool coats also come in a variety of colors and styles – from oversized coats to waterfall coats and tailored blazer coats, there’s a style for everyone!

3. Trench Coat

Best trench coats to wear with dresses

Get this coat on Lulus

If you’re looking for something a little more dressy, trench coats are always a good choice. Trench coats have a timeless look that will never go out of style and they come in many different colors and styles as well. They work well with different dress lengths, from mini dresses to maxi dresses.

4. Shearling Coat

Pastel purple plaid shearling coat

Get this jacket on Lulus

Shearling coats are not just one of the trendiest coats of this year: they will also keep you nice and toasty on those cold winter months! They come in many different colors and styles, but the most popular ones seem to be the classic black or white shearling coats.

For some added pizzaz, go for patterned shearling coats in fun colors, like this pastel plaid colored coat.

5. Teddy Coats

Cute brow teddy coat outfit with dress and brown boots

Get this on Pretty Little Thing

Quite possibly the coziest type of coat style there is, teddy coats will make you feel like you’re wrapped by a blanket in public. They’re that cozy! They’re also a very versatile piece that you can surely add to your work wardrobe.

6. Faux Fur Coat

Black faux fur coat

Get this coat on Lulus

Faux fur coats are also a great choice for fall weddings or winter events. They come in many different colors and styles, and they’re very warm and cozy. Faux fur coats or jackets can be worn with both dresses and pants, so they’re perfect for any winter occasion!

They’re also super chic and they complement formal outfits very well – so if you’re going to a winter wedding or a cocktail party soon, you might want to pair your evening gown or your formal gown with a nice faux fur jacket! Just be mindful of the length of your dress: if you have a long dress, it’s best to pair it with a longer faux fur coat, as otherwise, your outfit could look out of balance.

7. Double Breasted Coat

Best double breasted blazer coats to wear with dresses

Get this coat on Lulus

Double breasted coats are also a great choice for winter if you want to go for a preppy or a nautical look. They fit very nicely on the body while giving you a cinched waist!

A double breasted coat with wide lapels is an absolute must if you want to stand out from the crowd this coming season with a fitted style that will surely turn heads. And if you want to spice it up, you can also wear this one as a dress itself – just get some black tights to keep your legs warm.

While double breasted coats come in warmer fabrics like wool or cashmere, they are usually made with cheaper materials and are rather thin. For this reason, they’re not really snow-appropriate, but they work well if you live in a warmer climate.

8. PU Leather Coat/Jacket

Red leather coat

Get this on Princess Polly

PU leather coats are another great choice for winter. While they don’t work well with every type of dress there is, they’re a perfect addition to your closet if you already have a couple of basic dresses in neutral colors that allow this statement coat/blazer to shine.

Leather coats work especially well with bodycon dresses for that added grunge flair, especially if you pair them with combat boots.

These coats come in many different colors and styles – from classic black coats, to red coats , wine-colored coats and more! And if you want to add even more warmth into the mix, we suggest pairing them with a faux fur scarf.

Now that we’ve discussed the types of coats that go well with dresses, let’s get down to the fun part – styling!

How To Style Coats With Dresses

1. Draped Over The Shoulders

Coat draped over shoulders

Image via @maryorton

This gives off very *chic* and *free* New Yorker vibes. This type of styling will allow you to show off your entire outfit, while also using the coat as an accessory in itself. If you want to look like those movie stars walking down the street in New York City during fall, this style will make you live out your best rom-com leading lady dreams.

2. Match Coat Length To Dress

Black leather coat to wear with dresses

Get this on Princess Polly

If you want to go for a uniform outfit that makes you look well put together and classy, try matching your coat with the length of your dress. You will look formal, intentional, and it is altogether a classic pairing for the colder months.

3. Go Monochrome

Beige teddy coat to wear with dresses in the winter

Get this coat on Princess Polly

Want to go for a clean, fresh look? Going monochrome is a great way to achieve that! You can play around with different shades of the same color family, like the outfit featured above.

Pair your cream long coat with a light beige sweater dress, and finish it off with a cute pair of white boots. Add in a crossbody bag in a neutral color to bring the whole outfit together.

4. Add A Pop Of Color

Red teddy coat outfit with black dress

Get this coat at Shein

Playing around with colors is fun, and it will also give you an opportunity to be creative when it comes to styling. Clashing your dress with a different color is the best way to highlight each piece of your outfit, and it will make you look and ~feel~ like you just got off the runway at fashion week!

To achieve this, we suggest going for bright coat colors such as red, pink, green or blue, and pairing them with neutral dress colors.

5. Play With Patterns

Black and white houndstooth coat

Image via @xoninackim

Having to wear a coat to keep you warm doesn’t mean it has to be boring. If you have a plain dress on you, pair it with a patterned long wool coat!

6. Wear It Like A Dress

Sage green jacket dress

Get this on Princess Polly

There are many different ways to wear a coat, but this one is a daring choice: Skip the dress altogether and wear your coat like it is one! It takes away the hassle of having to pair a dress with a coat. Pro tip: Mid-thigh jackets are the perfect length for a jacket dress.

7. Statement Piece

Pink faux fur coat

Get this coat on Princess Polly

The coat CAN be a statement piece in itself – so it is wise to invest in a gorgeous coat that you can wear as an accessory, like this stunning pink faux fur coat. It will automatically take your otherwise plain black dress to the next level!

What Coat To Wear With A Long Dress

While all of these coats are great options to wear with short dresses, long dresses require a little bit more thought. If you are wearing a midi or maxi dress, we recommend following our second style tip: matching the length of your dress to the length of your coat, no matter what style or fabric you go for.

In terms of the best dress style, the most elegant looks can be easily created with wool coats, as they are generally quite thin and don’t take the spotlight away from your dress. However, if you live in a cold climate, or want to appear extra on-trend, long faux fur coats, shearling coats and teddy coats can also work well.

We hope we helped you prepare for the colder climate with this guide on coats to wear with dresses. Remember, while it is nice to wear something that reflects your usual personal style, it’s also a good thing to get out of your comfort zone and to try new styles and pairings this season!

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