Jackets To Wear With Dresses

While I’m usually found in jeans, I do love a dress outfit – in summer and winter. Most dresses have minimal warmth, however, so a jacket becomes necessary. But then, I also just like the look of layering a jacket with a dress. You can also use a jacket to give you a completely different vibe for your outfit whether it’s dressing casually with a jean jacket, adding some edge with a leather jacket, or dressing it up with a faux fur or chic bomber jacket. Here are my favorite ways and jackets to wear with dresses.

One of the hard parts is finding a jacket that pairs well with your dress. Sometimes it’s a matter of finding the right vibe for your outfit. Otherwise times it’s making it look “right.” One big thing I try to be mindful of is a cut of jacket that accents the cut of my dress, rather than trying to match it, which invariably doesn’t work.

Jackets To Wear With Dresses

Here you’ll find some great inspiration for jackets to wear with dresses – via ensembles I’ve shared before as well as some good descriptions. You’ll also see how I wear a lot of the same jackets with dresses that I wear with any other ensemble. I love a blazer, a leather jacket, and my denim jacket the most with dresses to fit any need – professional, stylish, or casual! A few pieces can be oh so versatile in your wardrobe. I mean, just look at these military jacket styling ideas!

Can You Wear a Jacket over A Dress

Of course! I do feel that it can’t just be any jacket you wear over a dress. A loose, oversized, random colored, rain jacket over a dress doesn’t really do anything (besides the all important keeping you dry)!

You can easily and stylishly layer a jacket over a dress, however, with little work. First, separate from the jacket, is to nail your layers beneath your dress. See my post on how to wear dresses in winter, including the best tops and tights to keep your body warm! Just look here…

What Jacket To Wear With Dress

Leather Jacket

As you can see from some of these photos, not only is layering a leather jacket over dresses a favorite combo of mine, it was a go to for me when I was pregnant too!

I’m a huge fan of my two leather jackets – one in black and one in tan. I think they’re so chic, real leather ones last for a VERY long time; they never go out of style; and if it fits you well, it’ll always pull any look together.

This black jacket has been in my closet for at least 8 years. You can see it in everything from a long shirt outfit to my favorite in fall – a leather jacket with turtleneck look! it is a little snug, so definitely order a size up (especially if you have broad shoulders like me).

Denim Jacket

A denim jacket is about all I reach for in summer, because it isn’t too, too hot. It also goes with just about every dress for any casual affair. I really like to pair my denim jacket with maxi dresses for some depth (besides the length) as well as my flowy-er dresses.

And then a jean jacket with a more elegant dress is an unexpected but fun combination. My denim jacket isn’t available anymore, but this sustainable jean jacket is perfect!

Blazer

Goodness me do I love a good blazer. Not just any blazer, but one that fits you well. I have a couple in my wardrobe and I hope I never have to part ways with them. Blazers somehow dress up anything from a summer dress or a tshirt and jeans. It’s perfection!

Trench Coat

A trench coat and dress just screams London fashion to me and if you don’t know, I love a London vibe! Trench coats are a great layer because they don’t tend to be heavy, but they hold in warmth quite well. Additionally, the tie waist allows them to give you a flattering shape without having to mess with layers.

Though trench coats are stereotypically tan, a navy blue or black trench coat (use code LUCI15 to get 15% off!) is a gorgeous, versatile option as well.

How To Wear A Jacket With A Dress

Maxi Dress w. Denim Jacket

This is my most basic (and most worn) combination of jackets to wear with dresses. I quite like midi and maxi dresses. They’re cool, comfortable, and easy – everything I need in lift. The jean jacket adds a nice layer of warmth without a lot of heat and it usually matches the vibe of my maxi dress.

And then I can wear wedges or flat sandals depending on the need. It is fun to cuff the sleeves and wear some bigger bracelets (or a stack of bracelets). Also, sadly, my jean jacket doesn’t have pockets, but a denim jacket with pockets is a lifesaver!

Shirt Dress with Leather Jacket

A shirt dress with a button down shirt gives a professional air, but a leather jacket adds an unexpected combination that makes you look stylish and ready for any occasion. You can dress it up with heels or sleek boots (or mules like I show here). And then obviously some great accessories – everything from an understated, delicate necklace to a bold, longer necklace.

Wrap Dress with Blazer Jacket

Warp dresses have a boho look to them – even if they’re cut to accentuate your shape, they tend to lack structure on the skirt part at the very least. So I love the combination of that loose fit with the structure of a blazer – even an oversized blazer.

The shoulder provide just the right balance to dress up your comfortable dress. Again, shoes and accessories can go a variety of ways. Try flats for a more casual vibe or dress it up with wedges or bulkier heels. If you push or cuss your blazer jacket sleeves, then add that bold bracelet – a cuff or chunky something. And then I love a bright gold or silver necklace to really bring the whole ensemble together.

Short Dress w. Coat

I find jackets to wear with dresses that are shorter to be one of the more difficult silhouettes to style, but that may be because I don’t wear shorter dresses as often. I find shorter dresses are easy to cover up with jackets which larger defeats the purpose of these outfits. If you can find a jacket thats shorter (a little or a lot) than the dress, that’s ideal, so there’s at least a peak of your dress.

Because I don’t feel as comfortable in shorter dresses, I actually tend to wear them in winter with my thermal tights underneath! I wear my thick wrap coat most of the time with these shorter dresses. The front is left open, even when the coat is buttoned/wrapped, so that dress also peaks through there.