The Internet’s Best Winter Dresses, According To Warm & Happy Customers

Frost is nipping at our nose and our winter jackets are full in rotation. We might not see a sundress again 'til April, pending the decision of a weather-predicting groundhog. But that doesn't mean it has to be all pants and jeans until then. Our first order of business? Curating a carousel of winter dresses to wear all season long. In most cases, winter and fall dresses are similar, with a few tweaks. A little extra weight to the fabric and a few additional inches of material in key areas will serve you well when you're up against snow, sleet, or whatever else the season throws at you. Think sweater-like materials and seasonal hues, long sleeves, and high necks. However, we didn't forget to include some winter-ready mini dresses that can be paired with the season's best knee-high boots and oversized scarves.

But how do you know which frock fits the bill during the chilliest period of the year, keeping you covered for office wear, winter soirées, and everything in between? To answer this question, we turned to shoppers for their reviews of dresses at all our reliable retail faves: Free People, Anthropologie, Quince, Abercrombie & Fitch, and more. Scroll onward to see the best winter dresses for women that are earning customers' approval this season.

The Best Winter Errand Dress
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 563 reviews on Athleta

Meet the sweatshirt dress that'll take you from chilly morning walks with your fur babies to post-gym workouts and midday errands. The long-sleeve mini not only has a soft interior for extra warmth but also convenient thumbholes to keep sleeves in place and side pockets to hold your phone, wallet, and other essentials. Sorry, hoodie and leggings, you've been replaced by a cozy dress.

"Beautiful fit. Unlike other sweatshirt dresses this one fits my form in a flattering way. It can be dressed up or down and will be a staple," writes a reviewer.

The Best Winter Denim Dress
The Hype: 3.0 out of 5 stars; two reviews on Frame

Made from a structured denim, this A-line shirt dress will bring order to your winter outfits. Its sustainable material softens over time but just enough to feel like the dress is truly yours. Front pockets, cinched cuffs, and a button-down closure elevate it out of basic black territory, and the oversized fit nominates it for top-layer status on cold days. One word of warning though: When Frame says oversized, it does mean oversized. For a less dramatic fit, the brand recommends sizing down, and reviewers agree.

"I LOVE this dress, albeit, I need one size down (small), from my original order (size medium)," wrote one 5-star reviewer.

The Best Winter Midi Dress
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 120 reviews on Free People

This knit midi dress in a wine color is laidback, cozy, and perfect for those I-can't-be-bothered days. Style it with your favorite chunky lug-sole boots and winter coat or faux-fur jacket. The slightly oversized sleeves, scoop neckline, and button-front detail add comfy, homey vibes to the one-piece, making it a wardrobe staple you'll never want to take off. 

"It's everything I have been searching for. The fit is perfect. Although it runs large, it has just enough looseness to flatter my figure and still allows me the cozy feeling of comfort and warmth... I only just received my first one today and have already ordered another in a different color. I'm even wearing it now because I love how it feels. I highly recommend this dress to all," raves a reviewer.

The Best Cashmere Winter Dress 
The Hype: 5 out of 5 stars; 589 reviews on Quince 

Treat yourself to a luxe cashmere dress this winter — without breaking the bank. Quince's Mongolian Cashmere Sweater Dress is priced just below $100 and comes in eight cozy neutral and pigmented shades. The price is truly unbeatable for a cashmere dress, and shoppers agree.

"Ever mindful of ordering online, and with the ever-present low expectations of the final product, for the first time ever, I would rate it a 20 on a scale of 1 to 10! This dress is not just as described, but better. The cashmere is so very soft, obviously high quality, and the fit (both sleeves and lengths - I’m 5’2”) is perfect. I couldn’t be more pleased with this dress. I highly recommend it," exclaims a reviewer.

The Best Statement Winter Dress 
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 30 reviews on Abercrombie  

For an eyes-on-me 'fit, slip into Abercrombie & Fitch's Satin Column Midi Dress. The glossy piece has ample stretch and is meant to sculpt your body for a figure-hugging look. You can't ignore that thigh-high leg slit and spaghetti straps, too, as they add to the sultry vibe. And while the shiny silver is too beautiful to pass upon, the midnight black and romantic burgundy hue are stunners as well.

"If you can find this dress, make space in your closet! I watched this dress go in and out of stock and finally got my hands on it! [It] has so much give that, based on reviews, I sized it down. I think the fit is so much nicer, sized down, and more 'Va Va Voom.' Even though it's fitted, the dress is so comfortable to move around in," raves a reviewer.

The Best Formal Winter Dress 
The Hype: 5 out of 5 stars; 4 reviews on Hill House Home

The modern mock neck, cinched balloon sleeves, and flared swing skirt exude elegance and grace for a timeless piece you can wear to countless events — weddings, parties, dinners, Valentine's Day date night, and more. Since the fabric is a bit on the heavier end, you know you're in for a warm winter.

"Absolutely LOVE Persephone! This dress has not gotten the attention it deserves. It fits in all the right places, looks super-sleek, and is the perfect weight for the winter months (I'm in Canada, and it can get cold). I'm not a pants girl, so I love finding comfortable and warm dresses for the winter months. It's a heavy-weight knit fabric and just beautiful," shares a reviewer.

The Best Winter Midi Dress To Layer In
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 25 reviews on Nordstrom

Winter doesn't mean it's time to toss your figure-hugging dresses out the window and into the snow. Keep it modest in the front with a square neck but with a pop of the peekaboo leg slit. Despite its minimal details, the beautiful olive-green hue leaves room for you to freely accessorize. Whether you're heading to a dinner party or soirée, slip into an ankle or knee-high bootie. And, for that bit of sparkle, add a chunky cuff bangle and your best pearl jewelry. 

"The colors are beautiful and unique, and the slits on the sides add a touch of sophistication and are quite flattering," writes one reviewer. "As others have stated, the dress is long, and the sleeves are, too (as they should be), but if you are tall like me or taller, it will fit you very well!"

The Best Colorful Winter Dress 
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars; 189 reviews on Anthropologie

Who doesn't love a good two-for-one deal? Anthropologie has crafted a one-piece that merges a cropped mock neck sweater with a woven midi skirt for a polished dress that requires no styling. Thank you!

"I ordered this [in] two colors and ended up keeping both! Have gotten so many compliments on this dress and it can be styled so many ways — also very comfortable!" writes a reviewer.

The Best Winter Sweater Dress
The Hype: 4.1 out of 5 stars; 40 reviews on Lulus

Sweater dresses are the epitome of winter fashion, and if you add a turtleneck with a Fair Isle-inspired print to it, you're perfectly outfitted for chilly season. This thick, stretch-knit sweater dress has a tying sash belt to keep you extra toasty while adding a chic detail. Since the dress has a column silhouette, reviewers recommend sizing down.

"I was truly surprised by how nice this sweater dress is. It is tightly knit, so it's warm with no chilly air getting through, and you do not need a slip under it. I ordered my usual size of M, and the dress was not too tight or too loose. I do not like sweater dresses that hug my body too much, and this did not do that," writes a reviewer.

The Best Winter Wedding Dress
The Hype: 3.9 out of 5 stars; 7 reviews on Lane Bryant

If you have a winter wedding on your calendar, consider this shiny green satin V-neck dress. The smocked wrap skirt flutters with every step, and the cinched wrists have button cuffs for a polished touch. The best part? The dress also comes with pockets.

"I absolutely love this dress," exclaims one reviewer. "The fit is perfect and the fabric is so glossy and soft. I took the model's inspiration and styled my dress with a black belt, too."

The Best Winter Mini Dress
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 427 reviews on Tuckernuck

This lightweight mini dress is the perfect piece to pair with your tights, tall boots, and trench coats. It has a light shimmer to it, and it's easy to coordinate with accessories for upscale and laidback events alike. The mini dress falls a few inches above your knee and is slightly loose for a comfortable feel.

"This is an amazing dress; the three-quarter length sleeves and turtleneck make this look sophisticated, and the length is perfect. The fabric is warm and makes it a great winter dress. I'll be wearing this to work all the time this winter," raves a reviewer.

The Best Winter Date-Night Dress 
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars; 69 reviews on Revolve

Consider this bold, semi-sheer frock your one-and-only winter date-night dress. The figure-hugging statement piece is flirty with a crisscross design, front cutout, and ruched design that deserves all the attention in the world.

"This dress is incredible... The mesh and cutout make it sexy, but the length is perfect to keep it classy," a reviewer raves. "I'm a true size 4. I tried both small and medium and kept the latter. The small fit was a little shorter and tighter; the medium is more forgiving. Now I just need to be invited somewhere to wear it!"

The Best Winter Lounge Dress
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars; 1,547 reviews on Skims

Live out your most luxurious winter hibernation dreams in Skims' best-selling lounge dress. Imagine resting on your couch in the drapey slip with a nice mug of hot cocoa. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, now you can bring it to life by prepping with the best winter lounge dress.

"I've been obsessed with Soft Lounge dresses for the past few months. The long-sleeved version of the slip dress is perfect for colder weather coming up. It can easily be dressed up or down and is just as comfortable as the spaghetti strap version. There are plenty of shades, and I chose Onyx, which is less sheer than the lighter colors," writes a reviewer. "The only con I can think of is that it's a bit challenging to wear a bra or bralette with this dress, so it may be too revealing. However, I don't mind them and I wear them often. If you're on the fence whether it's worth it, I wholeheartedly recommend buying it."