How to Wear a Dress with Tiered Skirt and not look Frumpy
A reader wrote to me the other day saying she was going to a summer party and was thinking of wearing a dress with a tiered maxi skirt, but was worried about looking frumpy. I understood right away what she was talking about. Dresses with tiered skirts and a ’70s boho vibe have been super popular the last couple of seasons, and while they look adorable on the younger gals, they can be tricky to pull off at 40, 50, or 60+.
Yes, they’re pretty and look super comfy, but they are also long and loose, and I’ve seen enough to know they can look rather frumpy. Does that mean you should stay away from it? Of course not! Here are a few ways to wear a tiered dress and look modern and stylish at any age.
Style Snapshot
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Choose colorful tiered skirts over washed out pastels to look modern and not old lady.
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Shorter length tiered skirts give you more shape and are youthful.
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Choose modern accessories that don’t have that dated 70’s boho look.
Go for Bright Colors
Bright, bold, cheery colors bring youthful energy to this breezy, relaxed tiered summer dress. Florals can sometimes look a little dated, but color blocking is a great way to stay updated. These juicy, graduated pink shades feel so fresh, and they’re fun and festive. I like the halter neckline for summer, as it adds a youthful vibe. Wear this cute color-blocked tiered dress with flat sandals on vacation and turn some heads! Hot, hot, hot!
Choose Short over Maxi
A lot of times, a tiered sundress looks frumpy because it’s just too long and loose. If you like this style but prefer a more fitted look, try a shorter-tiered dress with a belt. This darling orange summer sundress looks a lot perkier since it lands just at the knee, and the affordable self-belt helps carve out a youthful-looking waist. All you need to do is add a few natural-looking accessories, such as peep-toe wedges and a textured bag, to create a more chic-looking version of a tiered dress.
Add Modern Accessories
Accessories can completely change a look, so use them to avoid looking frumpy in a tiered dress. To create this classy monochromatic look, start with a white tiered dress. Add a sassy fedora, chic slides, and high-end leather and gold accessories to uplevel your look.
Black is Always Chic
The easiest way to balance a relaxed boho-style dress like this is to wear it in black. Black always looks urban and chic, regardless of the clothing you wear. Here, we’ve glammed up a simple, tiered sundress with a long statement necklace, a sporty sun hat, sophisticated woven slides, a black leather bag, and bold, oversized sunglasses. It’s casual, but it sure says sophisticated!
Have you bought a tiered sundress, and how do you wear it?
QUICK Q&A
Yes. The key is styling. Choose bright colors, shorter lengths, or modern accessories to keep the look fresh and chic instead of shapeless or dated.
Bold, cheerful shades like pink, orange, or color-blocked tones add youthful energy. Avoid overly busy florals that can look dated and opt for vibrant solid hues or modern prints.
Pick a shorter-tiered style that hits around the knee or use a belt to define the waist. This creates shape and prevents the dress from overwhelming your frame.
Chic accessories like a fedora, woven slides, a leather bag, gold jewelry, or statement sunglasses elevate the look. The right accessories transform a loose dress into a stylish outfit.
Absolutely. Black adds instant sophistication, even to a relaxed boho dress. Pair it with bold jewelry, a sun hat, sleek shoes, and a structured bag for a polished yet casual style.
Hi Grace,
Yes, good points I have to agree with you there. Cheers, Deborah
I think shutter pleats are a great choice for older women who may need to hide a bulge or two. I think they create an optical illusion as well as more structure to the dress.
Great for women under 55 but I believe you should wear whatever makes you happy. Life’s too short!
My reader (Christine) wrote me about this post: “These are fine for younger people. How about us senior citizens? Thanks.”
Good question. The tiered style can work at any age. It’s all about whether it suits your body and personality. No style is perfect for everyone.