It may not officially be winter just yet, but it sure does feel like it. With the arrival of cold weather, we trade in our lightweight layers and bare legs for knitted jumpers, chunky boots and 80 denier tights, plus of course, our favourite winter dresses.
While the thin, short and strappy dresses of summer have long been relegated to the back of the wardrobe for another year, winter dresses now get to have their time in the sun (well, clouds really). Long-sleeved, high-necked and maxi in length, winter dresses allow us to add some femininity to a season often dominated by jeans and bulky coats.
Knitted dresses are a surefire go-to for winter – longer lengths may let you just about get away with a bare leg, while shorter versions can simply be teamed with thick tights and ankle boots.
Meanwhile, long-sleeved shirt dresses in ankle-skimming lengths are a great option for now – for extra cold days simply pop a thin turtleneck jumper underneath. Thankfully the printed maxi dress hasn’t gone anywhere (the ultimate day-to-night option for this season), while summer’s penchant for checks can be reworked in thicker materials for winter. Meanwhile, AW21’s trend for leather and faux leather translates nicely to dresses – as seen in the Mango dress below.
Keep scrolling for our pick of the best winter dresses to shop on the high street right now.
17 of the best winter dresses for 2021
Longline knitted dress, £89, Cos
Ditsy Floral Ruffle Midaxi Waisted Dress, £49.50, M&S
Faux-leather shirt dress, £59.99, Mango
Cut Out High Neck Knitted Dress, £42.95, NA-KD
Curve Izzy Midi Dress, £45, Nobody’s Child
Paige Dress with LENZING™ ECOVERO™, £119, Baujken
Long sleeved ribbed dress, £50, Monki
Women soft flannel checked flared long sleeved dress, £34.90, Uniqlo
Placement Print Maxi Dress, £59.40 (was £99), Warehouse
Knit high neck dress, £27.99, ZARA
hush Roll Neck Knit Midi Dress, £110, John Lewis
Gingham check pleated dress, £159, Whistles
Splice Floral Shirt Dress, £48, Next
Portobello Wrap Midi Dress, £75, OMNES
Beige Roll Neck Ribbed Belted Dress, £22, Tu
Regina Pine Green Cotton Dress, £145, KITRI
