Could you survive with a dress-only wardrobe?

[movinghomeadvice]

I’m moving back to my home country in 2026, and the new year has me thinking about the clothes I’m going to bring back with me. I realise that I actually hate most of my clothes, especially my professional wardrobe, and I really only like the dresses and skirts I have.

It got me thinking: Could I only ever wear dresses/skirts for the rest of my life? Jessica Diner, who works at Vogue I think, only wears dresses and she always looks amazing. I love how she describes a dress:
‘It's foolproof. A dress asks so little of you in the morning: it's one piece, pulled from a hanger, then out the door, looking pulled together.’

So, am I crazy to think that I could pull this off? And never wear jeans again!? (Obviously I would still wear active wear to workout and bathing suits to swim etc.)

Interesting question. I suppose it depends on your lifestyle/how active you are. I am a "dress person" and I don't really like trousers or have many pairs, but sometimes they're the right thing for the job, e.g. for running, horse riding or outdoor work. I suppose I could do it in a dress but I'd attract too much negative attention vs. wearing leggings. I only wear dresses/skirts to work though.

For clean activities day to day, yes absolutely. Work, shopping, socialising etc.. For gardening, hiking, or crawling after my toddler at soft play I want trousers.

Dresses only here.

Yes. So long as they have pockets.

Yes, all I own are dresses.

Easy peasy. Mostly dresses here. I do own jeans but don’t wear often. I do love my joggers though 😁

I wear dresses and skirts in the summer but when it gets cold I like harem pants and trousers.

My wardrobe was basically all dresses until I had children, and needed jeans and trousers for wearing tops to breastfeed, and I haven't quite managed to build back up all my everyday dresses. I also always wore heels. I get the appeal. Do it!

I only own dresses (and now branching out to skirts 😂)

A big No from me - I’m in shorts all summer and jeans and trainers or boots all winter. I don’t have any skirts and dresses are either sun dresses or formal ones for very special occasions.

I love dresses.. I have too many… oh so so many ☺️
I like jeans though .. and wide legged trousers … which look great with dresses over.
I couldn’t wear dresses for Pilates though.

Depends on your lifestyle. You know that better than anyone else.

I couldn't personally. I rarely have a day where a dress is suitable attire.

Nope. I hate dresses and skirts so tend to live in jeans, jumpers and band t-shirts.

Yes I could easily. I wear dresses or skirts most of the time. I like wide leg trousers or a pair of jeans occasionally and trousers or leggings for working out but otherwise all dresses and skirts.

I wear a dress most days, In fact I have to force myself to wear my smart trousers to work (otherwise why have I got them?). I hate having to then find a nice top that's not a T shirt.

At the weekend tho I wear joggers in a lazy manner. How would that work for you @movinghomeadvice ? would you idle about the place in a dress?

I only wear dresses and skirts. I haven't worn trousers or jeans in probably 20+ years!

I'm a gardener so it definitely wouldn't work for me.

Also not sure I agree with ‘It's foolproof. A dress asks so little of you in the morning: it's one piece, pulled from a hanger, then out the door, looking pulled together.’ Whenever I do wear a dress I have to do extra thinking about what shoes, tights, will I need a warm layer, is the length going to work with my coat etc. It's more of a faff than falling into jeans, shirt and boots.

My mum only wears skirts or dresses, I can’t even remember if I’ve ever seen her in trousers. I wear mostly skirts and dresses in the summer but my legs get cold in the winter (can’t stand tights).

I wear dresses most days.
Love them.
Often get compliments from other women when out and about - “Love your dress”
I got 3 women coming up to me one afternoon in 3 different locations.
Occasionally will wear leggings with an oversized top that covers my bum and tum.

oooh what dress were you wearing? I am always on the lookout :)

Yes in the summer. No in the winter, party because tights annoy me. Hiwever, I do like to slouch in the evenings in joggers.

I agree with this - tights, shoes, coats etc need much more careful consideration when wearing dresses rather than trousers

I happily wear dresses in summer, and will wear a dress or skirt with tights in winter if going out for the evening so long as there’s no walking around involved.

I feel the cold really badly, so I much prefer jeans/trousers/joggers until the temperature hits twenty degrees outside.

Thanks for everyone’s responses so far!

The lifestyle point is a good one. I’m in education, so need to dress professionally. A dress with a blazer would be completely fine for work.

However, I have 3 DC ages 7, 3, and 1, so I think the constant bending down, chasing, walking in the muddy park etc. would not be realistic. I’m currently in Germany for the new year, and I’ve noticed a lot of mums wearing dresses/skirts with thick tights and welly ankle boots. Very practical and looks really good for the muddy and freezing parks and playgrounds.

I haven’t worn jeans or trousers for about 30 years. My wardrobe is full of dresses - I don’t wear skirts either.

I have leggings and joggers for wearing indoors or going to Sainsburys but other than that it’s dresses all the way.