Recently, I’ve been taking great pleasure in making my wardrobe work harder without actually buying anything new. Partly, that’s because the new house is where I’m spending all of my money – but also, I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of new pieces I buy, and being exceptionally considerate when I do add a fresh item of clothing to my collection.
Lately, one of my favourite styling hacks has been dresses identifying as skirts. A bit like how a good co-ord will get you three looks for the price of one (girl math), a summer dress can double as a year-round skirt, delivering way more ways to wear.
I’ve always loved a good maxi dress, but *gestures outside* the weather doesn’t always get the memo. Instead of letting those pieces sit unworn until our two weeks of British sun in July, I’ve started layering knits, blouses, and jackets over them to create the illusion of a completely different outfit.
I love that it gives you all the volume and movement of a great skirt, but without filling my wardrobe with extra pieces. It also means those dresses reserved for 25°C days suddenly become key staples. Here are five outfits I’ve been wearing on repeat utilising this fashion trick.
Statement Blouse
I ordered this ASOS maxi sundress at the start of the year because I knew it would be the type of dress I’ll wear all summer. The crinkle fabric means it requires little ironing, making it ideal for holidays, while the shirred dropped waist keeps it both comfortable and on trend. However, 2026’s early climes haven’t exactly been shoulders-out worthy, so layered over a statement blouse from Next.
The checked top offers some shirring which keeps it fitted in all the right places before flaring out at the waist and wrists for a beautifully structured silhouette. No one would ever guess there’s a full dress hiding underneath.
I really love the contrast of the pattern and shape against the softer, block colour of the skirt, while the top still ties in those olive tones, while introducing new blue and chocolate hues. I paired the look with a blue bag and brown suede ballet flats for an outfit that looks well thought-out and considered. I can officially cross ‘olive cotton skirt’ off my wardrobe wishlist.
Slogan Knit
This might be my favourite version because it feels so playful. The dress is a Zara number that cost me £35.99. It’s made from the most buttery soft fabric, and I bought it because it reminded me of Ghospell’s pieces, but for half the price. I love the ruched tie details, which is what sealed the deal for me. I didn’t buy this dress with the intention of it identifying as a skirt, which I think is why I loved this look so much – because it was a little bit unexpected.
I maintained a red theme with my Tu Clothing Love Club knit – a £24 bargain that feels a little Slow Love inspired. The knit adds personality and I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between the cosy jumper and more elevated bottom. I finished this look with fun shoes (leather ballet flats from ASOS via Vinted) and a gold bag for the ultimate Valentine’s Day outfit. That said, I don’t think it’s so February 14-coded that this couldn’t be worn any time, either.
Monochrome Cardigan
I don’t do monochrome very often, but when Jake bought me this Urban Outfitters cardigan for Christmas, I would find literally any excuse to wear it – including pairing it with this Tu Clothing dress I bought at the end of summer because it was reminiscent of Nobody’s Child.
The chocolate gingham paired beautifully with the mushroom knit and trainers for an earthy tonal look. However, as this dress has puff sleeves and tie detailing at the front, it was a little trickier to disguise that it was, in fact, a frock.
To break up the colour and draw the eye upward, I added a striped knitted triangle scarf from ASOS which makes the whole look feel more styled. I think this is such a feminine and cosy take on the hack, perfect for coffee dates or pottering around town.
Chocolate Suede Jacket
This combination feels very autumnal and was the ideal way for me to take one of my most-worn summer dresses and carry it into the cooler months. This brown and yellow striped dress from ASOS has an extremely fitted bodice, allowing almost anything to be layered over it with ease.
One of my favourite ways to wear it was with this chocolate suede jacket from Topshop, which instantly reads as a skirt-and-jacket pairing. The richness of the suede adds texture and structure, which balances the fluidity of the dress underneath. I love letting the stripes do the work while keeping everything else tonal, with chocolate ballet flats and a leopard print bag (It is a neutral, after all).
Another tip if replicating this look – don’t button the jacket all the way down, or else it’ll feel very ‘cut in half’. In buttoning just over half way, it adds movement, creates the illusion of a higher waist and offers a better overall shape.
Denim Jacket
Finally, a denim shirt or jacket is another way to make your dresses (and jackets) work harder in your wardrobe. This olive midi, from Next, has been styled endlessly over the last 12 months, both alone and with knits, but this was my favourite look of all with this Joanie worker’s jacket, making not one, but two pieces really earn their keep in my closet.
The denim feels a little more relaxed than, say, the statement blouse from above, offering an easy, spring-ready ensemble. I use the same rule as the suede jacket here, and button it only half way down. I completed the look with double leopard accessories and sunglasses for a look that feels thrown on but always gets compliments.
So, if you’ve got dresses hanging in your wardrobe that you’re “not sure about anymore,” try giving them a new lease of life as a skirt before you give up on them. Sometimes all they need is a new top half, and suddenly they feel brand new again.
