Fashion Week

Layering Dresses Over Pants is the Key Styling Hack of the Fall 2024 Season

No need to pack up your summer dresses this year: with the dresses-over-pants trend you can wear them all year round. 

Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25 Street Style. Getty Images.
Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25 Street Style. Getty Images.

You either love it or you hate it, but dresses over pants can't help but continue to take over the fashion industry. This bold styling choice has evolved from a quirky trend to a statement of personal style, and although it has caused some fashion controversy over the years, it is seemlingly re-entering the scene as we transition into the colder months of the year. What was once considered an experimental look has now become a go-to option for those looking to make a fashion-forward statement while staying cozy. The combination offers a perfect blend of practicality and creativity, allowing for layered looks that are both warm and visually interesting.

For those of us who have a favorite summer dress that we can’t bear to pack away as the colder months approach, the dresses-over-pants trend offers a seamless solution. It allows you to transition those breezy, lightweight dresses into fall and winter without sacrificing style or comfort. Rather than tucking them into storage, you can extend their lifespan by layering them over pants, transforming a summer staple into a year-round piece.

From the Runway

Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images.
Loewe Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images.
Schiaparelli Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images.
Courrèges Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images.
Clockwise from top left: Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images; Loewe Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images; Courrèges Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images; Schiaparelli Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 runway. Getty Images.

The Fall/Winter 2024 season showed us unexpected interpretations of the dresses-over-pants trend, with brands like Balenciaga, Courrèges, and many others leading the way. From dramatic, oversized silhouettes to sleek, tailored ensembles, designers across the fashion industry embraced this layering technique, each adding their unique twist. Labels such as Loewe, Schiaparelli, and Balenciaga contributed to the trend’s resurgence, offering everything from minimalist pairings to more standout combinations. This season’s runways highlighted the versatility and creativity of the dresses-over-pants look, solidifying its place as a key style for the colder months. The widespread embrace of this trend across various fashion houses underscores its growing influence and lasting presence in fashion world.

On the Streets

Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25 Street Style. Getty Images.
Emma Jean Clarke wearing a dress over jeans. Photo courtesy Instagram/@emmajeanclarke_
Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25 Street Style. Getty Images.
Street style in New York City. Getty Images.
Clockwise from top left: Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25 Street Style. Getty Images; Emma Jean Clarke wearing a dress over jeans. Photo courtesy Instagram/@emmajeanclarke_; Street style in New York City. Getty Images; Copenhagen Fashion Week SS25 Street Style. Getty Images;

The dresses-over-pants look isn’t just dominating the runway; it’s also taking over the streets. From the vibrant style of Copenhagen girlies during Spring/Summer 2025 Fashion Week to the bustling streets of New York City in the winter, this style has become a global street style phenomenon. Fashion-forward individuals are embracing the look in everyday settings, proving that it's not just a seasonal runway trend and can now be a way to take a summer item into the colder months.

Get the Look

We are now starting to see brands incorporate their own take on the dresses-over-pants trend, with many even offering coordinated sets that make it easier than ever for fashion enthusiasts to embrace the look.

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Significant Other

Taking on a minimalist approach, this dress and pant combo from Significant Other is perfect for those wanting a simpler, more refined take on the dresses-over-pants trend. The flattering body-hugging design ensures a timeless appeal, while the combination of elegant lines and neutral tones offers a polished look that’s easy to wear from day to night.

Significant Other Rozalia Dress, $79, Significant Other

Ganni

If you want to take the dresses-over-pants trend for a night out on the town, this set from Ganni makes for an easy yet stylish choice. The Ganni x Paloma Elsesser Mesh Straight Trousers in Port Royale offer a chic, edgy vibe with their bold mesh overlay and mauve color make this the perfect piece to transition into the fall while staying on trend.

Ganni x Paloma Elsesser Mesh Straight Trousers, $185, Ganni

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Vrg Grl

With its unique bead detailing and trendy olive green color, this linen dress and pants set from Vrg Grl is perfect for a more laid-back approach to the trend of the season. Its relaxed silhouette and earthy tone exude a natural, effortless charm, making it an ideal choice for those who want to embrace the dresses-over-pants look without sacrificing comfort. Whether you're heading to a casual brunch or a relaxed evening gathering, this set offers a stylish yet understated way to stay on-trend while keeping things easygoing and comfortable.

Vrg Grl Tia Linen Mini Dress Olive, $107, VRG GRL

Faithfull The Brand

Dresses-over-pants create unique silhouettes that exude an effortless appeal and this set by Faithfull The Brand is no exception. Its minimalist design and smooth shade of tobacco are the perfect addition to any fall wardrobe and allow for fashion enthusiasts to easily hop onto this unique styling trend. 

Faithfull The Brand Monforte Pant Tobacco, $98, Faithfull The Brand

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