Have a favourite summer dress you can’t bear to put away for winter? Or are you looking to pick some bargains up at the summer sales but don’t know if it will be worth it now that the weather has turned? We show you how to save money and make that wardrobe last by making your summer wear work well into the winter months.

After all, clothing is pretty versatile these days and if you just happened to get a gorgeous sun dress at the end of the season it’s a little unfair to have to pack it away until next summer. Not to mention that a little cross seasonal dressing is the height of fashion right now, with overseas runways and fashionistas mixing up the idea of “seasonal fashion”. 
 
Take your summer dress…
And add: A Little Layering.
Inspiration: Elle Tahari
It all started with the New York fashion design set, sending models down catwalks in gauzy printed chiffon numbers for winter. We weren’t shocked, we were surprised that they chose to pair such delicate, dainty dresses with heavy winter shoes, heavy weight hosiery and fine knitwear. The look was a complete success and has dominated fashion circles for seasons after. In New Zealand picking up layering pieces perfect for complimenting summer dresses is as easy as heading to any local chain store, where racks of fine weight merino are laid out at the beginning of every cool weather season!

1: Lace overlay dress $55.00 from Valleygirl
2: Treaties dress $299.00 from Moochi


Take your summer brights…
And add: A Dash of Darks
Inspiration: Narcisco Rodriguez
You can tell summer is coming just by watching the colour of the stock in store, the palette changes from mossy tones, jewel colours and shades of black and brown to surprising citrus, cute corals and racy reds. While we may all see colour as coming hand and hand with summer, the designers are showing colours as flashes of excitement to basic separates for winter.

1: Deanna frill top $38.99 from Glassons
2: Dress $59.90 from Lippy
3: Dollhouse dress $59.90 from Lippy

Take your mini lengths…
And add: Cute Hosiery
Insipiration: Phillip Lim
This is one of my favourite looks, and a favourite of my stylist friend currently slogging it out over in London. The super mini denim shorts, tailored skirts and even frothy chiffon concoctions being paired back with slick and sleek-looking hosiery. As well as the opaques that arrive every season, there are new tights and stockings in sheeny shiny fabrics, lace and interesting colour ways – a cheap way to update your summer buys for the winter months!

1: Junk Food shorts $39.90 from Lippy
2: Shorts $30.00 from Lippy

Take your Summer Florals…
And add: A Jacket
Inspiration: PPQ
This is one of the hottest looks for winter and one that piggybacks nicely off all the floral around for summer. Simply take your floral dress, top or skirt and pair back with some hard and tough looking leather or great little suit jacket. There could be nothing simpler!

1: Floral ruffle top $60.00 from Dotti
2: Ribbon detail print cami $65.00 from Just Jeans


Want to build the perfect summer to winter wardrobe? Make sure to head along to the Dress Smart extra 25% off sale. Running from the 7th to the 13th of March, it’s the perfect way to stock up on pieces for the cooler months, or great buys to get you through the rest of the sunny days! Click here for more information.