How to Wear a Maxi Dress this Fall

We all collectively mourn summer and the simple task of getting dressed, when throwing on an airy maxi dress and sandals is all you need to do to look stylish before waltzing out the door.  But just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you have to put your favorite maxi dresses away.  You can still wear them without much additional effort in the cooler months.  By layering chunky sweaters, stylish jackets and your favorite pair of boots, you can create simple fall outfits that still pack a lot of style.   Here are 15 different looks to inspire you to style your maxi dresses this fall.

Fall Wedding Dress

For fall weddings and formal events maxi dresses are the perfect thing. I and friends look great in brown (the color of the season) and dark florals for their friend’s recent wedding. Sometimes a perfect way to wear maxi dresses for a special occasion in the fall is just opting for a richer color or pattern.

Breezy Summer Maxi Dress

Everyone has that one breezy maxi dress they love to wear on hot summer days and wishes they could wear all year long.  One way to eke out a little more time with that dress is to simply change your footwear.  I love this white cotton voile maxi dress paired with black leather loafers to wear through September and October.

Floral Maxi Dress

Florals for fall? Groundbreaking. Yes, floral prints are for fall too and are a great option for adding color to your wardrobe after summer has ended. Pair with stylish sneakers or cowboy boots and layer a jacket over it to create entirely different looks.

Date Night Dress

A maxi dress is one of the most versatile pieces that goes easily from day to night, which makes it a great style to wear for date nights.  You can wear them with sneakers during that day and swap out for heels to instantly transform your look.  The current trend of sheer layers makes an especially sexy way to take your maxi dress from day to night.  Julie looks so elegant styling her black maxi dress with strappy sandals and a pearl necklace.

Denim Jacket with maxi dress

A jean jacket is a wardrobe staple for any fall season. And it’s not surprising that it looks amazing when styled over a maxi dress. A longer length elevates a simple black dress. And a cropped length looks casual and cool anywhere your day or night takes you.

Cozy Sweater Pair with Maxi

As the cooler weather sets in, an oversized sweater is the perfect outer layer to wear with your maxi dresses.  A cozy cardigan or pullover can take your dresses through the entire season.  I love a chunky sweater like these belted or worn over the shoulders on chilly days.

Black Leather Jacket

A black leather moto jacket makes even a sweet dress look cool. Take it from these street style looks: it can be worn over any style from slip dresses to cotton sundresses. Add a leather jacket to the dresses from your summer wardrobe to wear them into the next season.

Long Coat

A light jacket like a trench coat or a heavier weight wool coat look works perfectly styled over maxi dresses.  The longer length looks best when aligned with the length of the dress.  Play with the weight of your coat with the changing of seasons

Ankle Boots

When summer is over, it’s time to transition your sandals to a pair of boots with your maxi dresses.  Ankle boots go with any style or length of dress and are a perfect way to step into fall as the temperature starts to dip.

Style With a Blazer

A neutral or black blazer is a great piece to layer over maxi dresses, especially when looking to dress them up a bit for work or a lunch date. Just add heels and you’ve got a really simple, stylish outfit.  It’s also a perfect weight jacket for fall’s transitional weather.  Paired with sneakers, it gives a cool downtown vibe to your look.

Knit Maxi Dress

A t-shirt dress and a sweater dress make great fall maxi dresses. Sweater dresses can be warm and cozy all on their own without the need for any additional layers. T-shirt dresses look great worn with a shorter jacket like a bomber or trucker style layered over top. Add boots or sneakers and you can easily take your t-shirt dress from summer into fall.

Sweater Layered Over Maxi Dress

 Just because the seasons are changing doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite summer staple.  One of my favorite styling tricks is to take summer dresses and layer a sweater over it to give the illusion of a long skirt.  You can do this with slip dresses or fuller styles and it looks equally chic!  It’s a great way to continue wearing your dresses all year round and give you different ways to style them.

*Remember!  The great thing about maxi dresses is that they look good on every body type no matter how they’re styled.  Pick your favorite ways to style them throughout the changing of the seasons to keep them on rotation in your wardrobe all year long.

Conclude

A maxi dress is a timeless wardrobe staple that can easily transition into the cooler days of fall. With the right layers and accessories, you can create outfits that feel warm, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish.

Pair your favorite fall maxi dress with ankle boots, a cozy cardigan, leather jacket, or tailored blazer for a polished seasonal look. You can also add a scarf or statement accessories to give your outfit more personality.

Whether you're dressing for a casual day out, the office, or a special occasion, learning how to wear a maxi dress this fall gives you endless ways to express your personal style. Embrace the season, experiment with layers, and make your maxi dress a standout part of your autumn wardrobe.