Knee Length Dresses Winter Style Ideas for Every Occasion

The history of knee-length – otherwise known as “mid” – dresses stretches all the way back to the beginning of the twentieth century. During World War 1, women who took over factory jobs and other work that had traditionally been performed by men needed something shorter and more practical than the lavish and layered dresses of the Victorian era. Skirts became shorter in length, and colours became drabber.

Nowadays, a knee-length dress is still practical, but the colours don’t have to be drab. They can be rich, vibrant and alive, subtle and understated, or any other style you favour. You can find a knee-length dress that complements your own look and allows you to step into just about any social or professional event with an air of confidence.

But what happens when the winter months roll in? How do you stay stylish while keeping warm? It’s not hard to do. Here are some tips for making a knee-length dress work for you in winter, no matter what the occasion. And if you need some comfy clothing you can wear all year round, check out Cotton Dayz cotton clothing range, including our cotton dresses.

Casual

On a casual day, it’s easy to show off your unique style. Whether you’re on a road trip, picnic, low-key date, or just popping out to run some errands, a knee-length dress is a suitable clothing choice. You can wear it with your favourite pair of sandals or sneakers for a laidback look, plus a wide-brimmed hat if you’ll be spending a few hours outdoors.  

Sleeveless and short-sleeved dresses are perfect for a casual look, and when the weather gets cold, they make for easy layering. You can wear a cardigan or long-sleeved top beneath them, mixing and matching whichever colours look the best together. If you’d rather wear your cardigan over your dress, there are many ways to make a dazzling impression with that look. 

Formal

There are many events that require more formal attire, such as cocktail parties, engagement parties, work functions or graduations. Knee-length dresses are appropriate for these events too. For example, you can choose a knee-length dress in any colour and style that matches the mood of the evening and wear it with your favourite jacket, heels and accessories. The right choice of belt can help create an hourglass silhouette as well.

“Black tie” is one of the most common dress codes of formal events. And while it usually brings to mind images of floor-sweeping gowns, knee-length dresses are still acceptable attire as long as the cut is formal enough.  A good example to think of is 1950s-style couture.

Lunch

The best way to style an outfit for a luncheon depends on what kind of luncheon you’re going to and with whom. Obviously, you want to dress comfortably. It’s best to choose outfits you can easily move and eat in. If you’re going to a café with some friends, you can feel free to wear something casual, colourful and relaxed. If you’re heading to a business or charity lunch, a somewhat more refined outfit is your best approach. For example, a dress with a simple pattern or colour combined with heels and elegant jewellery.   

When choosing the right outfit for a luncheon, everything from the kind of event it is to the theme of the lunch to the kind of cuisine makes a difference. Luckily a knee-length dress is a safe option when you’re aiming to achieve both style and comfort.

Evening

When you’re stepping out in the evening in winter, it’s not too hard to dress stylishly while keeping the chill in the air at bay. Keep warm by wearing a long-sleeved dress with a pair of tights and ankle boots or a bubble dress with a jacket and stockings.

Another option is to wear a long-sleeved top or turtleneck. There are many ways you can wear a turtleneck under a dress, including black tights, black ankle boots, and other accessories. Mix and match whatever combination works for you so you can step out looking and feeling good, whatever kind of weather the evening brings.  

Wedding

Trying to figure out wedding dress codes can be confusing. What do your hosts mean when they specify black tie, white tie, cocktail, formal or semi-formal? And are knee-length dresses acceptable attire? Just like there are many ways to conduct a wedding (and many locations you can tie the knot), there are many ways you can dress for the occasion.

While the happy couple will establish a dress code, factors like the venue, the season and the venue of the wedding all play a part in the kind of attire you should wear. A knee-length dress is perfect for a semi-formal or dressed-up casual wedding. One of Cotton Dayz’ knee-length floral cotton dresses, for example, is an ideal option for a bohemian-style outdoor wedding in a location like a beach.

Work

Cotton clothing lets your skin breathe and helps you stay cool even in the midst of a busy day with a lot going on. It also keeps you comfortable throughout the day. For both of these reasons, it’s an excellent fabric to wear at work, and you can dress up knee-length dresses to make them ideal for office attire. A nice jacket or blazer and the right pair of flats can make the whole ensemble look smart and professional.

Knee-length dresses aren’t only for office or corporate jobs, either. They’re suitable for all kinds of jobs in which you’re required to maintain a professional look but also want to stay comfortable, including jobs like teaching which involves frequently being on your feet. Cotton Dayz has a wide selection of cotton dresses in different styles, including many that are suitable for different working environments.

Buy Knee Length Dresses at Cotton Dayz

At Cotton Dayz, we love it when our customers find cotton clothing that they look fabulous in. One of the best things about cotton is that it can’t hold a static charge. So no matter how many layers of cotton clothing you wear, you don’t have to put up with any pesky clinging.

At Cotton Dayz, we believe there’s nothing more beautiful than embracing your own style. So these tips aren’t hard and fast rules, but we hope they give you some ideas to get started. Having been in the fashion industry for 30+ years, we’re always happy to provide styling tips and suggestions that make it easier to put the perfect outfit together. 

If your wardrobe could use some comfortable cotton dresses that will guarantee you’re ready for whatever comes up in your calendar this winter, take a look at our range of knee-length dresses.