6 Easy Pieces That Fashion People Style With Throw-On Dresses
We all experience days when we just don’t have the time or the mental capacity to think about our outfits. Don’t worry—it happens to the best of us. This is where the throw-on dress comes in. Now, what sets a dress apart from a throw-on dress? It’s quite simple. Where some dresses might feel tight and restricting, throw-on dresses are the opposite. Often loose or stretchy, they’re comfortable to wear and don’t require too much effort, particularly when selecting which underwear to wear underneath them. (I like to look for a dress that I don’t have to wear with a strapless bra.)
Throw-on dresses should be easy, but that doesn’t negate the need for some styling. As lovely as it would be to put on a dress and require nothing else, there are still, at the very least, shoes to consider. So what does one wear with a throw-on dress? I’ve listed six simple staples below to style with yours. They’re still pretty effortless but will help enhance and even elevate the overall look of your throw-on dress ensemble. Is your interest piqued? Scroll on.
1. TRAINERS
Style Notes: Throw-on dresses and trainers always look cool when paired together. For extra style points, choose a trainer with a colour accent that matches your dress.
What's the perfect finishing touch? Hoop earrings, of course.
2. BASKET BAGS
Style Notes: Is there anything a basket bag doesn’t go with? I’m yet to be proven otherwise. However, I particularly love styling them with relaxed dresses so I can tap into that holiday/beachy vibe even when I’m just out doing a food shop.
Black sandals are always a wise investment come summer.
3. FISHERMAN SANDALS
Style Notes: If you want to give your throw-on dress some fashion appeal, the easiest way to do so is with a pair of fisherman sandals. Thanks to The Row, fisherman sandals have been the fashion person’s sandal of choice for two years running and are showing no signs of waning. Just ask Free People, which has created a best-selling, more affordable pair.
Sea New York consistently delivers with its throw-on dresses.
4. GOLD JEWELLERY
Style Notes: When you opt for a pared-back frock or a neutral colour, a subtle metallic flash can completely overhaul the look and feel of your outfit. Just ask Monikh, who uses chunky hoop earrings and stacked bangles to lift her beige dress.
5. OVERSIZED SHIRTS
Style Notes: While you can play around with your own jackets to find the one that best suits your throw-on dress, if you’re looking for a lighter extra layer, try adding a linen shirt over the top. Knot it like Claudia has, or leave it loose to further enhance an oversized dress silhouette.
6. STRAPPY HEELS
Style Notes: This year, I refuse to wear tight dresses to weddings—I want to eat and dance freely, and bodycon dresses get in the way of that for me. This is why I’m so pleased that throw-on dresses are now a thing. I’ll be pairing my straight-cut frocks with high-heel sandals to make them feel dressier.
Imagine twirling on the dance floor in this beauty.
Next Up: 11 Classic Summer Items That Will Make Getting Dressed Easier
Opening Image: @thandimaq
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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