15 Best Winter Dresses To Buy In Australia In 2023
If you’re missing the days of chucking on an easy dress in the middle of summer, fear not – you can still rock a dress in the winter, it’s just about finding the right kind of material and knowing how to style it for the cooler weather.
As we all know, winter dressing is all about layers. So when you can nail the base layer with a perfect winter dress, the rest of the outfit becomes so much easier – simply throw on a jacket, accessorise with stockings or scarfs, and you’re out the door.
According to Nicole Adolphe, Head of Style at THE ICONIC, “winter dresses can be worn for just about any occasion.”
For work, she says winter dresses look great styled with a blazer or trench and some loafers. If you’re heading to brunch, pair with a knit vest and some boots, and for date night dress it up with a trench coat and boots. Winter dresses can even be worn casually to run errands – just style with your favourite white sneakers and a leather jacket or a knit sweater over top.
“The options are endless,” Adolphe tells news.com.au.
To help you find the best winter dress for your personal style, we’ve curated a collection of the best figure-hugging, knitted and tie-waist numbers, long sleeve maxi and mini styles and winter dresses perfect for when you’ve got a special occasion to attend.
Happy shopping!
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST WINTER DRESSES TO ADD TO YOUR SHOPPING CART
Dazie Nostalgia Knit Midi Dress, $99.99 at THE ICONIC
You can’t beat the winter chill without a classic knitted dress – it provides an instant, no-fuss style injection, while providing daylong comfort.
This pick from The Iconic’s exclusive brand Dazie comes in a bunch of colours, including this fun bright pink and a staple black. The best part? You can add it to you shopping cart for just under $100.
Shoppers on Instagram are going crazy for this knitted number, with some saying the dress is single-handedly getting them “excited for winter”, while others just “absolutely love” the overall style and vibe of the dress.
The knitted material offers some stretch, so it’s designed to give you a tight bodycon fit while still feeling super comfortable and wearable.
Soft Lounge Long Sleeve Dress, $160 at Skims
The iconic Soft Lounge dress you know and love is now available with sleeves, perfect for the cooler weather. The slinky, soft and ultra-flattering fabric is designed to shape your curves and show off your silhouette.
Pick it up in classic shades like the grey and black, or you might be able to get your hands on some of the fabulous seasonal colours, although these do sell out quite fast.
It’s been described on TikTok as the ”most perfect dress” and has racked up over 1000 five-star ratings on the Skims website. Five-star rating customers have called it the “most comfortable dress” and have said it “fits like a dream” and “feels like butter”.
AnotherChill Women’s Casual Lounge Slip Long Dress, $22.29 at Amazon Australia
If you’re hesitant to drop $160 on the Skims dress (and we don’t blame you), we know how you can get the look for less – in fact, way less. Available at Amazon, this very similar dress is priced at just $22, meaning you’re saving almost $140.
It’s racked up over 2600 five-star ratings, with one Amazon customer even calling it a “Skims dupe”.
Another happy reviewer said “the dress is such a soft buttery material, it is stretchy but fits like a glove.”
BEST KNIT WINTER DRESSES
Preview Crepe Knit Dress, $70 at Target
If you’re sick of wearing black and dark colours all winter long, try out this dress from Target. We love the neutral shades of cream, tan and brown to create this cool striped effect on the dress.
It’s made from a ribbed knit material, so you know it’s going to be comfy all day long. Plus, the v-neckline and long sleeves is sure to make a flattering fit.
Beakey Off Shoulder Casual Loose Sweater Dress, $65.98 (down from $98.45) at Ozsale
When you’re looking for something to throw on and run out the door, this knitted casual sweater dress is an absolute must-have. The dress sits loosely off the shoulder, giving off a cool-girl vibe and we’re totally here for it.
Brownhall Long Sleeve Mini Dress in Beige, $75 at Princess Polly
If you’re looking for a party-ready knitted dress for the winter time, look no further than Princess Polly. We love this gorgeous neutral beige colour, combined with the scoop neckline and open back detailing – this knitted dress is sure to turn heads.
Ripe Maternity Sloane Knit Dress, $119.95 at THE ICONIC
Gone are the days when maternity wear meant baggy maxi dresses and overalls.
This seriously chic knit dress is perfect for expecting mums as well as anyone who might want a bit more room around the stomach area.
It features a ribbed skirt, batwing sleeves and is made from a viscose, cotton and nylon blend, meaning it has plenty of stretch – win!
Crepe V Neck Knit Dress, $149.95 (down from $249.95) at Witchery
Who doesn’t love a fabulous winter white? This Witchery knitted dress is so gorgeous, offering a V-shaped neckline and a flared skirt to give your silhouette some shape. If you’re not into the white, you can also check out this bright blue.
BEST WRAP AND TIE WAIST WINTER DRESSES
Basque Tie Waist Recycled Poly Satin Midi Shirt Dress in Navy, $89.97 (down from $149.95) at Myer
Universally flattering with its waist-highlighting design, the wrap dress is among the most popular of styles. A dress like this gives you some much-needed warmth in the winter, while also showing off your silhouette.
One five-star rating Myer customer said it’s a “stunning dress that looks expensive but isn’t”.
Harper Wrap Dress In Marina Blue, $79 (down from $199) at David Lawrence
This marina blue patterned wrap dress is made from a viscose and elastane blend, meaning there’s plenty of stretch.
With a contrast trim and button-up cuffs this wrap dress is perfect for work, just throw on a blazer, some ankle boots and you’re set.
BEST LONG-SLEEVED MAXI WINTER DRESSES
Off Shoulder Knit Dress, $129.95 (down from $189.95) at Seed Heritage
Long-sleeved styles will keep you warm from head to toe, and the elegant, long silhouette will lengthen your figure – especially when paired with your favourite ankle boots or heels.
We love this number from Seed Heritage because it gives you the long sleeves while still showing off your shoulders with a super feminine twisted detail.
BEST LONG-SLEEVED MINI WINTER DRESSES
Cotton Mini Shirt Dress, $99.95 (down from $179.95) at Witchery
You don’t need to put away your favoured mini-length hem just because the weather has cooled. Invest in dresses with long sleeves, silhouettes that allow for layering or are cut from thick and insulating fabrics – then throw on your favoured outer layer and pair of knee-high boots before heading out.
This pick from Witchery is made from 100 per cent cotton, so it’s designed to feel really comfortable when you’re layering things over the top. Opt for this bright blue or choose from a more muted black or deep purple shade.
Textured Mini Dress, $74.95 (down from $149.95) at Seed Heritage
This Seed Heritage mini dress is great to rock in the cooler weather, perfectly paired with knee high boots and can easily be layered with jackets, coats and other winter accessories. It’s crafted from a textured twill, plus the high neck and long sleeves will ensure you stay feeling warm and cosy all day long.
BEST SPECIAL OCCASION WINTER DRESSES
Collection Recycled Blend Satin Pleated Maxi Dress in Black, $99 (down from $239.95) at Myer
Hunting down the perfect dress for a wintertime occasion is no easy task. We love this one available at Myer because while the sleeves and maxi length keep you covered, the black pleats look super fabulous and feminine for the dreary, cold weather.
One five-star rating Myer customer even said it’s “very flattering on a curvy shape”, so it looks like the cut of the dress is suited to a variety of body shapes.
Palm Noosa Melrose Dress, $380 at THE ICONIC
If you’re looking to inject some colour into your winter dress collection, look no further than this gorgeous style from Aussie brand Palm Noosa. It’s crafted from 100 per cent premium linen, combined with this exclusive pretty blue shade.
The dress also features an A-line waist, floating hem, bucked belt and full-length balloon sleeves.
WHAT STYLES OF DRESSES ARE TRENDING THIS WINTER?
This coming winter, Adolphe is expecting to see a lot of turtleneck and funnel neck dresses, as well as knit midi and maxi dresses.
She also says silk or satin bias cut slip dresses are popular and are perfect for wearing under a coat or maximising wearability by adding a knit jumper on top so it’s worn like a skirt.
WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO STAY WARM YET STYLISH IN WINTER?
“I love pairing my winter dresses with a puffer jacket, trench coat, leather biker jacket, or a blazer,” says Adolphe.
“These jackets are so versatile and can work with so many other outfits for winter too.”
To add an extra layer of warmth, she suggests styling your dress over some tights, or even pop a knit jumper over the top.
“A cozy knit in alpaca or mohair in a neutral colour like tan is perfect to layer over a black dress especially if the dress is just above knee length and styled with knee high boots,” according to Adolphe.
Finally, when it comes to winter shoes, Adolphe says to look for closed toe options that you can wear socks with. Her top picks are ankle and knee length boots, loafers and sneakers.
But she notes, “if you’re looking for a heel, pointy toe heels have made a comeback and they look chic with trousers for work.”
WHAT MATERIALS WORK BEST FOR A WINTER DRESS?
When winter rolls around, it’s time to temporarily retire our linen and crochet dresses and opt for warmer options suggests Adolphe.
“I love knit dresses made from merino wool and cashmere. Other fabric and materials that are great for winter include denim, flannel, hemp, corduroy and (believe it or not) silk.”
WHAT COLOURS SHOULD PEOPLE BE LOOKING FOR WHEN BUYING A WINTER DRESS?
Adolphe says choosing the colour of your winter dress depends entirely on the look and feel that you’re going for.
“For some people, wearing a colour can boost their mood, particularly in winter when people might be experiencing a bit of the winter blues.”
Her advice is to embrace brighter, more vibrant colours. We’ve been seeing a lot of gorgeous lavender and lilac, periwinkle, pink and green recently. You can always add a black jacket on top of a great colour.
On the other hand, for those looking to create a capsule wardrobe with more timeless colours, Adolphe recommends selecting dresses in black, white and neutral shades such as camel. According to her, “dresses in these shades will be easier to style, with more items and jackets already in your capsule wardrobe.”
WHAT ARE WINTER FASHION ESSENTIALS?
More Coverage
Trends come and go with the seasons, but there are some fashion essentials that have re-emerged every winter for years.
In addition to the knitted winter dress, knee-high boots – heeled or flat – are seen worn under dresses and over pants every time the temperature drops. A signature wool coat, in neutral camel or a statement pastel, never goes out of style; and lastly, a structured blazer, in monochromatic hues or a classic check, brings an architectural element when layered over soft sweaters.
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Originally published as Best winter dresses to buy in Australia in 2023
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