The guide to easily choose your autumn dress
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If you have read our previous articles, you know that we have started a series of seasonal blog posts to share tips on how to dress for this season.
After talking about hats, autumn sweaters, loafers, and even transitional clothing, it’s time to talk about a symbolic piece of the season: the autumn dress.
But which dress should you choose? What type of dress should you opt for? For what occasion? In what style?
If you are asking yourself these kinds of questions, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, I will answer the question of how to choose your autumn dress to be stylish. We will start by assessing your needs and then look at the options available to you.
I have put together this guide to be as comprehensive as possible.
By the end, you should know which dress to choose to achieve the perfect autumn look with a dress.
Laying the foundations to understand your needs
To know how to choose your autumn dress, it is first a matter of questioning your own needs. Otherwise, you may end up choosing the first dress you come across and be disappointed because it doesn’t suit you.
To avoid falling into this trap, ask yourself what you like, your body shape, your habits, and the occasions where you will be wearing your autumn dress.
Here is a short list of questions that could guide you:
- For what occasion will you be wearing your dress: during the day, at work, for an evening out, or even a special occasion?
- What type of dress do you envision? A long dress, a short dress, vintage, modern, classic?
- How would you define your clothing style: casual, vintage, romantic, chic, workwear, sportswear, Y2K, etc. Or a mix of several styles?
- What type of clothing do you like to wear: beautiful designer pieces, vintage pieces found in thrift stores, or trendy ready-to-wear items? Or all three at the same time?
This list is not exhaustive. You can add or adjust it according to your needs and preferences.
Which dress to choose for your autumn dress?
Have you assessed your needs? The occasion, the style, and your body shape? Now it’s time to get down to business and choose the autumn dress that suits you best. When it comes to mid-season dresses, the women’s wardrobe is full of options. To avoid getting lost in the multitude of choices and save time, here is a list of autumn dresses according to their length, style, and fabric.
Type of dress
The mini dress
The midi dress falls below the knees, making it the shortest dress model.
This is not the type of dress that is favored for an autumn look, however, it can give us a surprising style. Where it can become interesting with this type of dress is by playing with textures or volumes. A fitted mini dress with a pair of tights, floral bloomers, and chunky boots make for a rebellious chic and feminine look.
Another model that works is a version of a short midi dress, but with long puffed sleeves. This contrast of volume is very interesting and inevitably brings character to the outfit. If the dress is adorned with nice details like buttons, it guarantees a vintage/romantic effect.
The midi dress
The midi dress is in the middle. It is neither long nor short. Its length falls between the knee and the calf. It can therefore be somewhat intimidating. However, it is one of the most versatile choices and suits many body shapes. If accessorized correctly, you will quickly be seduced by its elegant and retro look, as the midi dress comes straight from the 1950s!
While this type of dress flatters tall silhouettes particularly well, it is suitable for everyone. In fact, it is so accessible because with its different cuts, it enhances all body shapes. Straight, flared, flowing, everyone can find their perfect autumn midi dress.
As for the look, the midi dress can be worn both during the day and in the evening. It can be suited for a casual, relaxed style as well as a chic and elegant outfit. Accessories play a big role in how you will dress up your dress. Pair it with a pair of flat ankle boots or knee-high boots to elongate the silhouette. And for a jacket, a trench coat is a safe choice, as is a cropped jacket. The trap here is to pair it with a medium-length jacket that would visually shorten the silhouette due to the layering of similar lengths.
The maxi dress
This is the most popular cut for autumn/winter for two reasons.
First, because it provides the most coverage. Unlike a mini dress, the maxi dress reaches down to the ankles. It is a practical option for protecting yourself from dropping temperatures, and it is also very comfortable. With an autumn maxi dress, we have more freedom of movement. We can bend down without risking showing our behind, and we can move around without being bothered. Well, the only situations where it’s not very comfortable are riding a bike or… riding a horse! For all other occasions, this type of dress is perfect.
Second, because in terms of style, it is a cut that perfectly suits the season: fluid and light, but not too much. Elegant while being casual. I find that it offers a good compromise for the mid-season and allows you to dress well without putting in too much effort.
The maxi dress is a bit like the midi dress. You can wear it with ankle boots or a pair of loafers for the mid-season, and knee-high boots in winter. A long coat works just as well as a short jacket. But no medium-length jackets.
Do not hesitate to add accessories to cinch the waist, for example. We also love to wear our hair up with pretty jewelry with this type of dress. It helps to create contrast. And for the perfect autumn look, don’t forget your head covering.
Fabrics
As for fabrics, while it seems obvious to choose warm and comfortable fabrics, it is still worth mentioning. The advice is to avoid fabrics like polyester, which ultimately do not provide much protection from the cold. Instead, opt for viscose, a more natural fiber that helps retain the heat emitted by the body.
During your quest for an autumn dress, I also recommend focusing on:
- silk for a luminous look,
- cashmere for an elegant finish and a supreme comfort,
- linen for an airy and light feel.
Ultimately, you can turn to all noble fabrics, including wool or organic cotton. By investing in this type of garment, you will attach more sentimental value to your dress. And that is the best way to take care of it and keep it for a long time.
Styles
The bohemian style
The presentations of the autumn/winter 2022-2023 collections have shown the strong comeback of 70s inspiration. With cowboy boots, platform sandals, paisley patterns, patchwork pieces, and of course, a flowing and light bohemian dress. With warm colors, folk prints, and playful volumes, it captivates with its authenticity.
If you like the vintage look, choosing an autumn bohemian dress is a good option. However, to make it look great, make sure to follow the trend, which means pairing it with a pair of knee-high leather or suede boots, a pair of cowboy boots, or a pair of mules. With a biker jacket, it dresses up nicely, as the two styles surprisingly balance each other out.
Among the colors, the bohemian maxi dress shines in light shades like beige or warm tones like cream, brown, and dusty pink, etc.
The retro style
Just take a look at the catwalks to understand that vintage is back in fashion. And when it comes to trendy vintage items, there are many options. But among the dresses, there is one vintage dress that perfectly matches the mid-season atmosphere: the prairie dress. Characterized by flowers, it is long or mid-length. It has long sleeves and a high collar to cover the chest. If you want to picture it, it comes straight out of “Little House on the Prairie”.
It flatters the poetic and romantic souls, but can be given a twist with a pair of boots to balance the look and avoid falling into the peasant cliché.
The minimalist style
Here, I immediately think of the knitted dress, the ultra-trendy piece of the season. It is characterized by two elements: comfort and sexiness. It is a dress that fits close to the body to highlight the curves. While it can stand on its own, we still like to accessorize it with a belt or a statement bag. And with a pair of chunky boots, you bring a rebellious touch to the outfit. It’s a great combo!
In terms of colors, the knitted dress is worn in neutral shades like gray or black.
Some tips to avoid an autumn fashion faux pas
The first piece of advice I mentioned earlier is layering. With a mid-length to long dress, avoid mid-length clothing. They will visually shorten your silhouette, taking away from the flattering effect you deserve.
Next, pay attention to the colors. An autumn dress should naturally blend in with the season. So, focus on warm colors that evoke softness and cocooning. Beige, brown, dusty pink, mustard, and black are reliable shades for the season. In contrast, flashy or cool tones should be avoided.
Lastly, the choice of the model.
It goes beyond the context of a fashion faux pas, but the choice of brand is ultimately important for a good choice. Many ready-to-wear brands offer sections dedicated to autumn dresses. They are pretty and affordable, but they are not very accessible and offer a wide range of models. However, these pieces are not really ethical and are mostly produced in questionable conditions. Fashion is evolving, and you have the choice to turn to sustainable pieces, made in France or in Europe, whose value will increase as you wear them.
There are also luxury designers and labels, but if you don’t have the budget, you can turn to an equally legitimate alternative: thrift stores. It may be the perfect place to find a vintage autumn dress with a story, for almost nothing… So, don’t hesitate.
Choosing your autumn dress: final thoughts
You have reached the end of the guide.
I hope you have found elements of an answer to make a choice that corresponds to both your needs and your body shape. But if I had to insist on one point to remember, it would be to blend in with the season to find the piece that will enhance you.
And above all, don’t hesitate to check out our Instagram for inspiration looks or even Pinterest.
💡 Furthermore, to complete your autumn look, discover which other pieces to invest in to build your autumn wardrobe. But also, how to wear paisley pattern, a must-have of the season.
Featured image: © Sandra Semburg
