Full disclosure. This dress isn't mine. A red dress is a closet staple and I got mine from my mother who got it as a gift from my father when they got married. My mother has worn this dress on her honeymoon and it's easily more than 20 years old. However, it's such a beautiful piece I couldn't resist giving it a new life. Yes, I'm not the same body shape as my mother (who makes it look fabulous btw), but why let a little large size stop you right? I've always wanted to wear it and this post is all about my love for it. If you've got a hand me down (I love those actually!) or just an oversized dress you don't fit into anymore thanks to all the workouts you're doing (if this is true, then you go girl! And send me your workout too please!) or if you just bought something oversized because it was the last piece and you couldn't live without it, this post is for you!

Here are some of my favourite ways to breathe new life into a piece that you absolutely can't live without but doesn't look right at times. While I might not have the same dress to recommend for obvious reasons, I do have some recommendations in the post so keep reading! (Some of these are affiliate links and I might get a commission if you use them. However, you are free to not use them too. You can DM me on my social media and I'll be more than happy to share the normal links with you)

1. A Throwback Silhouette

If you're a longtime reader you're probably saying enough of this belt already and let me tell you...that will never happen my lovely! The easiest, most classic hack to wearing an oversized dress is to belt it. Since this belt has a drop waist on me (it hits mom right at her waist but I'm a lot skinnier overall so yea), I added this belt that you've seen several times before and then pulled at the top bit so that it hangs like a tucked in oversized top. I actually really like the detailing on the sleeves of this dress and think it has a very unique style. Anyway, that helps hide the elastic at the lower than my normal waist, waistline of the dress and still makes it look chic. Yes, belts are awesome. You're welcome!

2. Weekend Casual

My second favourite thing to do with dresses is to wear them layered under a skirt. For this look, I choose a denim pencil skirt since I felt it needed something structured to balance out the bulk of the dress. The denim skirt adds a more casual vibe is a great investment so you'd do well to buy one if you do find the perfect one for yourself. I like this one from Ajio quite a bit because it's just a great wash. If you want one with buttons down the front like mine, this one's pretty good too albeit a little shorter.

3. Red on Red



Right. Am I mental? Probably. Do I care? Not when it looks this granny sexy! So a hack I've used several times to layer a shawl over an outfit without it looking to shabby is to add a shawl and then flare it to make it almost look like those trench coats with cutout pieces of fabric at the back and add a belt to define your waist. It works wonders and instantly creates a new silhouette for the top. Try it, you might just discover a whole new avenue thanks to it! No links for this, essentially use any shawl you own, no need to buy new things for this look!

4. White Animal Polka Cuteness


Okay. This is probably my FAVOURITE look of all of them. This 'jacket' is actually a wrap dress, again in two sizes too big for me but for being super cheap on sale, I couldn't resist. It's never been worn as a dress because I feel it's a little see through but either way, it makes a great second layer. Next I added a printed scarf. While mine is animal print and since it cost an atrocious amount I'm making the most of it by adding it to every other thing I own. Wearing a scarf in my hair is probably one of those things I'll be obsessed with for a long time now. You can wear whichever one you own and my scarf isn't available online anymore. But this is very similar if you'd like to have something similar. (Psst...I'll buy you a coffee if you gift it to me! (nudge nudge wink wink))

5. Kitschy Casual

Quote tshirts. Can't live without them honestly! This one is from the H&M men's section that my coursin was very kind to purchase for me. It was on sale, it's the closest I'll ever come to endorsing Pepsi frankly.. seeing as I don't drink it but it does make for a very cool tshirt no? Anyway, this is oversized aswell for me but all I did is knot it at the side and then proceeded to fold the sleeves of the dress to keep them from showing. You can add a pin there if you feel your dress sleeve might roll down but mine had a sort of tighter bit at the bottom so they stayed put. Anyway, overall, it's like the dress is now a skirt with a t-shirt. Very casual, very cool and super wearable!


Well, those are my five favourite ways to reusing an old dress that hasn't been worn in several years. I urge you to find new ways to rewear things you already own before you go out and make that new purchase. It's so important to keep in mind that you can make the most of what you already own instead of just buying new things everytime a person recommends it to you. These posts are just an effort to make you be more mindful in your choices and if you think they're useful, please don't forget to share them with your friends. It doesn't cost you anything but it makes a huge difference in terms of helping me make more such posts! However, if you are in search of an affordable red dress you can check out this one, or this one, or this one with it's lovely sleeves! There's also couple of lovely valentine's day dresses under 1000 here, here and this maxi dress here.

PS: If you're a more visual person and prefer a video over a written text, I'd encourage you to follow me on my Instagram. I have a quick 1 minute video on how to create all these looks on my feed that you might like!