How to Style a Shapeless Dress

When it comes to summer I love a good easy breezy dress. But there are times to wear a muumuu and times where you want to look more polished. I love a big shapeless dress when I am lounging by the pool but want more structure when I am at the office. What if I told you the same dress can work at both places? This is how to style a shapeless dress.

How to Style a Shapeless Dress

I love a big billowy dress for those really hot days. The big loose skirts allow for lots of airflow. But a muumuu isn’t exactly office appropriate or something I would wear out for dinner. The trick to adapt these dresses is super easy. You might be tempted to size down, but most of the time that won’t really fix the problem as by definition these dresses are loose and shapeless. You are better to stick with your usual size (unless they are truly oversized) and add a belt. Now sometimes these dresses come with a fabric belt but adding a contrasting belt usually makes for a better statement.

Blue Print Dress // hat // sunglasses // belt // belt // belt // sandals

You can see from the above collage that the dress is basically just a column. No shape what so ever. But when I add the belt in the pictures above it has more of a fit and flare look. You can easily fake a fit and flare style with a belt. In fact I like to have a choice of belts so that I can change the look of the dress. Skinny belts, braided belts, wide belts all give your dress a slightly different look and feel.

Another way to style a shapeless dress is to add a cropped jacket. If the jacket hits your natural waist or slightly above it will give the illusion of shape. However I tend not to use this trick as much as I wear dresses in the hotter months when you don’t want to add more layers.

Don’t shy away from the next shapeless dress you find in a fun colour or print that you love. Just add a belt!

Do you have any tricks for when you style these shapeless muumuu style dresses?