Everyday dress for autumn/winter?

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I am a recent convert to dresses and spent most of the summer in this dress (navy) and a grey one from the White Company. Love the ease of getting dressed, and feeling feminine and dare I say it, pretty (even though I am an old bag).

I want to wear dresses in the winter too - but I live somewhere that gets very cold and I need to be warm. Can you give me some ideas please? Suggestions for good dresses and what to wear them with (knee boots?). Desperate to get out of my skinny jeans uniform in the colder months.

Lots of lovely layers!
Long sleeves tops + vests under the top. Then a cropped cardi over the top (Boden cashmere cropped ones are very warm and last a long time).
Then a nice scarf perhaps?
Thick tights and/or legging on legs with the long boots.
These little beauties from M&S are fab.[
Long welly socks showing above the boots (I like this but is a bit casual/country).
My house and work place are both freezing in the winter and I really feel the cold. i probably look 2 sizes bigger with all the layers on

Does it get bulky with all those layers?! What are good layering tops that aren't too thick? Can someone show me a picture of someone looking good in a wintery, layery dress outfit?

Not at all, keep the layers fine - not big and chunky (except those socks).

I am wearing that boden dress today, in the navy with green circles colourway. It has been a summer staple.

Gap had a lovely burgundy spotted dress today, jersey, although short sleeved I will buy and wear with a grey M&S thermal longsleeved top under(very tight fitting so not bulky). Thick grey tights and boots (merrells as a preference for me for warmth and waterproofness). I got a jersey dress in grey and plum leaf pattern from gap last year which I wore with a plain vest underneath and the same tights and boots combo and had a lot of compliments.

I have lots of tight fitting long sleeved (cheap!) layering tops from H&M, come in lots of colours. Also have a (not cheap) merino wool fine knit base layer for very cold days. If you keep the base layers thin and light you won't add bulk and every layer however thin is trapping air which will get warm. I got my thermals in M&S but think Uniqlo do them too but there are none near me.

So, as said above, thin base layer (thermal if you can find thin ones) dress then cardigan. I don't have any cashmere cardies (yet!) but like merino (try gap again) for lightness and warmth. Add thick tights and boots and actually I think it makes a warmer outfit than just jeans and a top.

Oh, I also have a plain white company navy dress which I brighten up with patterned scarves and/or bright coloured cardies. This has been going strong for 2 years now and is fit for another autumn/winter.

Heattech tops from Uniqlo are brilliant for layering as they are thin and thermal.

Jumbs have you seen the Gap dress in RL?
On the site it looks a bit odd round the waist, as if it might bulge a bit, and I wondered whether the pockets mightn't also accentuate the hips, leading to a fattening look all round...

Can I hijack with a question please .... what sort of coat do you wear over your dress if it's a cold, wet day? When I was growing up (God, I sound ancient now ) it was always the way that a dress never looked right unless the coast was longer than the dress. I'd like an everyday dress/tunic look but have never resolved the school-run coat dilemma as I wear jackets which look good with jeans as an everyday staple. I feel over-dressed in a long or wool coat.

Thanks & sorry for hijacking the thread!

Wore this dress a lot last winter - very flattering and on sale right now. I have a long wool coat (for keeping my legs warm under it). A short navy peacoat also looked quite fresh with this. Wore woolen tights with ankle boots with it.

I know the picture is completely useless, but I got this dress in Cos last week and it's heaven on - navy, olive green inside, so when you turn back the sleeves there's a nice contrast, high neck, straight-ish cut and really 60's/flattering.

Thanks Dona - a peacoat would be a lovely addition to my wardrobe! I love that dress - looked at it last winter and didn't order as I thought my apple tummy wouldn't do it any favours. Pity there's only large left now as its a super price.

Dona what's the sizing like at Celtic Sheepskin? Tere are several items I am keen on in their sale - tunics and the knit dress you linked to - but I can't abide clingy knits. I prefer slouchy/oversized.

auld yes, I saw the dress in real life. To be honest the waist is a bit odd, but was hoping it would look ok on (am hoping for a 30% off day). I like the pockets, can put my ipod in and wander round the house or my work pass when in the office.

Do knitted dresses go baggy? I've always avoided them for fear of them becoming baggy round the waist/boobs etc.

I've recently rediscovered dresses and have this one from Fatface but in a grey-blue colour, though if I had the money I'd buy it in navy and mulberry too, but the grey one was in the sale! Cosy but looks really good on.

I would second the uniqlo heattech tops, I wear them under tees and they keep me cosy

Auld I love that dress, but I think dh would have a heart attack if I spent any more on clothes ATM :(
Maybe next month!?

Oh and op that dress will look great with fights and a top under :)

NotYouNaanBread
That dress is exactly my sort of thing, thank you! Could you tell me what the sizing's like, please? It looks quite loose fitting so would you recommend sizing down?

Ok, thanks everyone, am feeling inspired. I like the idea of the Cos dress but that picture really is rubbish.

Notyounaaanbread what sort of length is the cos dress? From your description it sounds great but website is crap.

Ujjayi enormous! I'm 10/12 and S is perfect. Would normally buy M but not there. Their wool items are good quality.

For winter I wouldn't bother with jersey (ie t shirt material) dresses but would go straight for woollen ones.

I bought this from Kew in grey and it's great - am very tempted to get it in purple too at that price.