How To Style The Dresses Over Pants Trend Without Feeling Ridiculous

Of the more daring trends taking off, the dress-over-pants look might be the most unusual. Doubling up on bottoms certainly seems like an unorthodox styling choice at first, but the trend is popular for a reason. The look, with its heavy layers, offers something playful and spirited. With roots firmly in the Y2K fashion era, the dress-over-pants trend offers ways of styling favorite jeans or trousers with skirts or dresses overtop, which function in this case as a smock or tunic. Think of it as a scarf for your bottom half. 

This isn't the first noteworthy trend from Y2K that we've seen return. Denim nails have made a major comeback, adding a playful touch to the ways that we're rocking manicures. Furry accessories, like the big, plush hats that Pamela Anderson rocked in 1999, are also on the rise and come winter months, we're grateful that these plucky pieces have come back. We can certainly use the warmth! This is one of the added appeals of the dress-over-pants look too. The added layering means that we don't have to pack up our favorite summer skirts and dresses; instead, we can incorporate them into winter looks because they're embellishments, rather than the sole piece. 

If Naomi Campbell wears the dress-over-pants look (in this case, it's a skirt), then we can do it too. The supermodel rocked the look while hanging out with her best friend, Christy Turlington. Campbell wore an ample skirt in a vivid print over simple, black trousers. She wore black and white Nike runners with a leather jacket. Since the majority of her look was black, Campbell's choice of layering a colorful skirt over her pants was a perfect way to bring a jolt of energy to her outfit. 

Talk about a blast from the past; in a denim on denim situation, we're seeing the perfect combo of a light-wash mini dress over wide-leg jeans. The white long-sleeved t-shirt underneath the dress is a perfect layering piece to add both warmth and texture. A jaunty dark scarf adds another eye-catching element to the look. Don't be afraid of layering your denim; we've never met a Canadian tuxedo we didn't like.

The dress (or skirt) over pants trend can also look very business professional. Pair red, tailored trousers with a simple, blue skirt as a way to give the bottom half of your look layers. A long, simple top and a blazer that cuts off at the same length provides a visually pleasing tier of hemlines. The simple, powerful colors of each piece, as well as the green shoes, allow the look to hold symmetry since one piece doesn't overpower any of the others. Some gold hoops and gold-rimmed sunglasses complete the outfit. 

There is so much to love about this heavily textural look. The sheer maxi dress with a playful patchwork pattern is the perfect dress to wear over black leather pants. The detail of the leather top over the sheer dress brings the layering out from under, with leather both under and over the dress. The contrast in weight from the heaviness of the leather to the lightness of the dress is the perfect balance. Style with dark boots and simple, silver jewelry. 

In an unlikely blend, the dress over pants look can incorporate both a tailored blazer as well as retro track pants. Throw in a printed mini dress, too! What we love about the dress over pants trend is that it opens the door for so much creativity; follow the playful mood of this look. An oversized brown jacket works beautifully with the tonal dress and track pants. Work in a bright shoulder bag and some white sunglasses.