How to wear a dress when needing multiple layers of clothing?

[AngelaoftheNorth]

I'm just a very "cold" person needing much more clothing than everyone around me: my mother and sisters are the same. Usually I layer up with leggings underneath trousers or skirts and long tops underneath woolly jumpers and then thick socks as well. I would love though also to be able to wear a basic simple midi dress as well, but those little cardis and boleros people put on top just don't keep me warm enough, and thermals look all too bulky. Any suggestions or ideas? Budget is around £70-80 per outfit, ideally less.

Have you looked at Uniqlo Heat Tech? Very thin and lightweight, no bulk at all.

That's exactly what I wear underneath dresses. Heattech tops and leggings last for ever, I have some 10 years old, worn weekly.

Leggings and / or tights. Thin long sleeved top / thermal top (I mostly wear scoop neck style as they don't show).
I'm a cold person too and this helps - I've been known to wear a thinner dress in winter but still be warm with this combo, and you can always add a cardigan on top.

In addition to leggings I wear a full slip under dresses for an extra layer then a wool cardigan on top- Uniqlo do neat merino ones, or you can bigger longer chunky ones if that works on you.
I've also found that a wool scarf or snood work well for extra warmth,trial and error to find one that works with a dress.