How to style the OV exercise dress for winter, because we’re team no pants all year round

March 05, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC

Many months ago, I packed away my shorts, skirts, and dresses for winter—already wishing that I could rewind the “lazy-hazy-crazy” days of summer and sport them all once more. There’s was one wardrobe exception, though: the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress ($100) in winter proved too versatile to be exiled to the back of my closet. So with the help of fashion stylist Alyssa Sutter, I learned how to style the garment come sun, slush, or blizzards.

“My general rule for styling summer dresses in the wintertime is incorporating layers and textures,” says  Sutter. “You can layer a turtleneck or tights under your dress, or pair it with a knit sweater and boots.” Since the dress itself is made with a thin, sweat-ready combo of nylon and spandex, you’re going to want to make sure the rest of the ensemble is built around staples that keep you warm. To help you do just that, Sutter dreamed up three ways you can wear the exercise dress no matter the weather forecast. Then, once you get to the gym or barre class, you can peel off the under layers and get down to doing things.

3 ways to sport the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress in winter

1. The LB(exercise)D

“This LBD can be your new winter go-to if you want to look effortless,” says Sutter. “Pair it with a fitted turtleneck under and a great pair of black, sheer, or opaque tights.” To switch things up, swap in a bodysuit or try different colors of tights and turtlenecks to change up your look from week to week.

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Shop: Exercise dress in black ($100), Wolford white bodysuit ($250) or Everlane The Long-Sleeve V-Neck Bodysuit ($35), and black tights ($8)

2. Ath-office

Try the exercise dress as a base layer that you can ornament with tone-on-tone tweed blazers, chunky sweaters, and cardigans for an easy workday win. “This cocoa-colored dress is the perfect canvas for an elevated, monochromatic look. Incorporate textures into this look by adding a knit sweater over and croc knee-high boots,” she says.

Shop: Exercise dress in Cocoa ($80), Georgia Alice metallic knitted sweater ($384), Club Monaco Trycia Flat Boots ($175) or Dear Frances Ana Boot ($750)

3. Lean into bright colors

If your winter has been a little glum, be your own light. “Use this dress as the statement piece of your outfit. Pair it with simple layers such as a trench or coat and white sneakers with a scrunched sock,” says Sutter. (Yes, you can add some tights if it’s extra chilly). In honor of International Women’s Day, OV will be offering three, limited-time color ways that take after the vibrant super-suits of the Powerpuff Girls. Fifteen percent of shop sales will be donated to ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project.

Shop: Powerpuff exercise dress ($108), Club Monaco Daylina Coat ($458) or Everlane The Drape Trench Coat ($148), Tretorn Nylite Plus Lace Up Sneakers ($75)

Now to put that dress to work. Try this 10-minute treadmill sesh for a heart-racing workout and don’t forget to stretch! 

Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good
Selected by CWC