I picked up this gorgeously versatile Vince dress at Nordstrom, and I’ve been dying to share how I’m styling it now and how I’ll be styling it in a month because I think many of you will also find this design to be comfortable and flattering fall-friendly fashion.
Clocking in at $225, this dress is an investment piece for me, but I think it’s well worth the price considering the quality of the material (a much heavier and more durable knit than comparable knit dresses at lower price points) and the price per wear.
Why I Love This Vince Midi Dress + The Easy Ways I’m Wearing It This Fall
There are so many reasons why I can’t get enough of this Vince dress. First, I absolutely love the length. It’s a midi length, and I find that on my 5’5” frame, the end of the dress hits me in at a very flattering point and shows off the shoes I pair with the dress. Second, the slits on the sides of the dress are a beautiful length — sexy but not over the top. The square neck is just a little different than the typical crew neck found on most knit dresses, and the removable belt defines the waist.
The most controversial aspect of the design is undoubtedly the plunge of the neckline. If you don’t mind the low neckline, you can style the dress with a lacy bralette that will peek out of the neckline or even wear a demi-cup bra to avoid having your bra show. If you don’t love the low neckline, you can very easily have the straps of the dress altered for more coverage.
In the outfits below, I actually used black safety pins (the type meant for pinning fabric) in the back to shorten the straps. That way, I can release the straps for date night but still have more daytime coverage. Below is a reference photo of the neckline without the straps being shortened or pinned. FYI, the straps are pinned in all the other photos.
From Summer To Fall: 6 Ways To Style The Perfectly Versatile Vince Midi Dress
I’ve styled the dress six ways for both summer and fall weather. Some days in September it’s 80 degrees and steamy, and on other days I can feel that shift in the way the sun is hitting and a coolness in the breeze, so I’ve paired the dress with cute shoes and an additional sweater, jacket or shirt. On warmer days, just the dress and cute shoes will do, and on other days, I can throw an extra layer on for warmth. For reference, I’m wearing the size medium dress.
1. With Colorful Heels + A Striped Sweater
dress | similar sweater | heels
These leather Everlane heels add a pop of color to contrast with the simple black midi dress. Because the heels are only partially stocked, here are similar ones in a burgundy color. For days when the wind is blowing a little colder, I’ll be popping a black-and-white striped sweater over the dress. The sweater pictured above is a Calvin Klein sweater from my closet, so here’s an incredibly cute option from GAP with a turtleneck.
2. With Tall Tan Boots + A Bright Sweater
dress | sweater | similar boots
Is it really fall if we haven’t broken out the knee-high boots? I love my Frye boots (here’s a very similar style from Madewell), which come in wide and regular calf sizes. The boots are so comfortable and have stood the test of time. I’ve layered the dress here with the Topshop Stitchy cardigan in a fun periwinkle color.
3. With Moto Boots + A Leather Jacket
dress | similar jacket | boots
The most-worn boots in my collection are my Frye Engineer boots. I love them to death and think they make any outfit just a little bit cooler. My leather jacket isn’t available currently, but if I needed a new one, I’d definitely pick up the AllSaints buttery-soft Balfern leather biker jacket.
4. With Retro Sneakers + A Plaid Button-Up Shirt
Nothing says fall like plaid, and this Rails shirt is my favorite plaid shirt in a closet that has more plaid button-ups than I would care to admit. I recently picked up these New Balance Classic 574 Core sneakers, and I just love the retro design and burgundy color. (Tip: Size up — I found my usual size 9 ran pretty small.)
5. With Black Slide Sandals + A White Jacket
dress | similar jacket | similar slide sandals
Black and white and comfortable all over! These SÖFFT slide sandals live in the middle ground between casual and dressed up. A white jacket perfectly offsets the all-black outfit.
6. With Lug-Sole Loafers + A Colorful Trench Coat
dress | similar trench coat | loafers
I recently picked up these Free People lug-sole loafers, and they’re super-comfy and look sharp for fall. While camel, beige or tan trenches are the norm, this colorful trench coat from Sam Edelman adds an unexpected element to the outfit.
Putting these outfits together was a blast, and I hope these ideas inspire you to pull items out of your closet as the seasons change. Whether you invest in one like the Vince dress or style another black dress that you love and already own, you’re going to look great.
Xo,
Anne
