The Supersimple Style Trick I Swear By For Looking Insanely Stylish

Weird admission: I hate my calves. Sure, it's a specific issue that probably seems like an unnecessary share but I do, in fact, have a reason for revealing this personal tidbit. There's an outfit formula I love and wear on repeat both because it conceals said lower leg muscles and happens to be one of those sartorially pleasing combos that makes any woman who wears it appear super stylish. I'm talking about a dress over pants. Whoa! Complicated. But, not really . . .

Because of my calf qualms, I exclusively wear long dresses and skirts to cover them up which quickly becomes limiting when shopping for new dress styles. But I refuse to cut minidresses and to-the-knee styles out of the equation altogether (consider me a bona fide dress addict). Instead, I layer all my favorite dresses over pants, most often choosing a pair of vintage-inspired jeans to dilute the sweetness of the feminine frocks I'm typically drawn to, like this affordable Printed Midi Dress ($48, originally $64) from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's. Cute, right?!

What I love most about this style trick is that it works for a lot of different tastes, in a lot of different scenarios. Going to work? Try a button-down shirtdress over a pair of slim-fitting jeans or trousers with mules or pumps for a polished take. Or a short slip dress with an oversize blazer and pants feels nostalgic yet sleek for a meeting. Packing for vacation? How about a flouncy mini over white jeans with metallic sandals for a warm-weather spin? Or a knitted camisole dress with a slit to pair with silky trousers. Grabbing brunch or drinks with friends? Go for some drama with a robe-style maxi worn open atop leggings, slim or straight-leg jeans, or even cutoffs? If you're the trendsetter in the group, opt for a puffy-sleeve mini over biker shorts with barely there sandals. Bold! And super playful. You can even try out a dress over pants when lounging around the house — a floaty dress worn over similarly slinky trousers will make your next binge-watching session feel achingly chic. Another low-key way to rock the look is a tunic-style minidress styled over cargos, leather trousers, or wide-leg capris. Fashun, honey!

As you can see, your dress-over-pants options are endless. It just takes a little experimentation to find the right formula for you. For inspiration, check out one of my recent formulas, starring the prettiest floral-print dress from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's. Then, shop my entire outfit for your next fashion-forward moment.