Formal events are exactly that – formal. This means that you need to adhere to a specific dress code. Whether that’s a black tie dress code or something more cocktail-house-esk, you’ll likely need to wear a nice dress.
While wearing a nice dress is a great and empowering feeling, what happens when it gets cold outside? Sure, you can go inside, but what if it gets cold in there too? Or what if the event is entirely outside?
Instead of panicking, you can always wear something over your formal dress to stay warm, and we have a handful of options you can try. Read on to learn more about what to wear over formal dresses when it’s cold.
What Is a Formal Dress Code?
First, we have to agree on what the formal dress code is. After all, what’s under the dress will impact what you can wear on top of it. For women, the formal dress code tends to be a floor-length dress, elegant cocktail dress, skirt, or dress pants.
For accessories, women tend to wear small clutches, heels, and other fancy jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.
What You Should Wear Over a Formal Dress When Cold
There are a handful of options you can wear over a formal dress when it’s cold. We cover some of the most popular options below, including things like trench coats, blazers, and more. Learn about some of our top picks below.
Blazer or Cardigan
One of the best things you can wear over a formal dress is a blazer. You’ll want one with a structured fit that complements your body well, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different color options that make the dress pop. A blazer is something you’ll want to make a conscious choice of when choosing a dress as well because you can wear them together most of the night.
Cardigans are also a great option because you can wear them most of the night as well. If you want something lighter and a little less of a statement piece, a cardigan can be a great alternative.
Shawls, Capes, and Scarfs
We’re grouping these into one category because they tend to be similar. You can drape these over your dress and choose a color that makes it pop. Depending on the temperature you can go with a wool scarf or shawl if you’re freezing, or a simple linen cape, shawl, or scarf if it’s just a little brisk. Ultimately, you have options.
Peacoat, Trench Coats, and Fur Coats
Peacoats are another great choice because they’re formal options that can go with a wide range of jackets and look formal by default. This also applies to trench coats, which are a bit harder to style if you don’t have the right colors.
That said, the fur coat is a great choice if you’re worried about very cold temperatures and want to show off your wealth. Due to the fur design, you don’t have to worry about the color as much either – it goes with anything.
Choose the Right Formal Dress in Case It’s Cold
Wearing something over a formal dress when it’s cold can make or break your night. While you want to stay warm, you don’t want to look sloppy, and having the right dress can be as important as having the right article of clothing to wear over the dress.
If you’re interested in finding the right dress, we recommend shopping with Sherri Hill. At Sherri Hill, formal dresses are tailored to be stylish, comfortable, and in the worst-case scenario, worn under something like a sweater, hoodie, or even a jacket.
While it’s not always easy to find the right dress, Sherri Hill always has your back.
Make the Most Out of Your Formal Event
Formal events are some of the most important events you can attend, but the dress code can be tricky. Most formal nights are black tie events that require a specific dress code, so you can’t always throw a hoodie over a relaxed dress.
For this reason, it’s important to wear the right dress and the right outfit over the dress if you get cold. Sure, you’ll be inside most of the time, but it doesn’t hurt to wear a little something extra just in case.
Thankfully, all the options we covered can be a great choice to wear at your next formal event.