You’ve got your dress picked out, your shoes and your jewelry. But how about a cover-up for your outfit? Whether you want to add a little extra warmth or you simply prefer to cover your upper arms, we show you how to cover up a formal outfit with lots of unique ideas.
This article features inspiration from women at two of New York’s biggest events: the MET Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the New York City Ballet Spring Gala, as well as ideas to shop, and outfits from stylish 40+ women on Instagram.
Enjoy all the stylish looks!
How to cover up a formal outfit
First, let’s look at what media queen Oprah Winfrey wore for a formal event. Her green gown goes beautifully with silver accessories.
If you wanted to cover up a similar outfit, you could opt for a cover up in the same shade of green, or a contrasting color such as gold, silver, white or cream.
The Nordstrom metallic wrap (below) would go with any color dress you have.
Nordstrom Metallic Lightweight Wrap
Or you could match your cover-up to your dress.
BCBGMAXAZRIA Faux Fur Quilted Plush Shrug
A white or cream faux fur stole would also go well with this shade of green.
Or, you could try a chiffon wrap in the same shade as your dress. The chiffon shawl (below) comes in a huge choice of colors so you should find one to match your gown, no matter what color you’ve chosen for your outfit.
Alivila.Y Fashion Chiffon Wrap
The best cover ups for your formal outfit
1. Laced trimmed wrap
A trimmed wrap can be perfect to add texture to your outfit. Ideal if you have a bohemian style personality! The fringe scarf (below) comes in a wide choice of colors so you should find one to match your dress. Reviewers say it is perfect for dressing up a simple dress.
Tan’s Lace Teardrop Fringe Lace Scarf
2. formal dress cover up – silk scarf
Choosing a silky material like silk or satin always adds a luxurious feel to your outfit. The silk scarf (below) is large so you can wear over your shoulders. Reviewers say it is light, soft, and wide enough to wear as a shawl.
NUWEERIR 100% Large Mulberry Silk Scarf
3. textured scarf
To create interest in your outfit, don’t just think about the colors you choose, but also the textures. The spotted scarf (below) comes in a choice of 14 colors.
4. dressy shrugs for dresses – a Bolero
If you prefer a look that completely covers your arms, then wearing a bolero over your dress is a good choice. A satin bolero will ensure that your outfit looks dressy enough for any occasion.
Belle Poque Ruffled Satin Bolero
5. kimono
While you tend to think of a kimono for summer, you can also use your kimono or ruana to cover up your evening outfit during the party season. Look for a kimono in luxurious fabrics so it looks formal enough for a special occasion.
6. formal dresses with jackets – a studded jacket
If you want to add an edge to your little black dress, you could add a studded jacket.
7. formal dress cover up – a Fur shrug
For more than a touch of glamour, you could try a cape with faux fur trim. There’s a good choice of neutrals, rich shades and pastels, and reviewers say its a very elegant choice.
ZLYC Open Front Faux Fur Trim Cape
8. Black jacket
How about a timeless classic that will look stylish with everything? You really can’t go wrong with a black blazer. Or borrow from menswear styling and choose a tuxedo style.
J.Crew Collection Tuxedo Blazer
9. formal dress cover ups – a Scallop edge jacket
If you have a fairly plain dress, then you can add style by thinking about the shape of your cover up. A scallop edge jacket can be a good choice for a party or a wedding.
R&M Richards Laced Sequinned Shrug
10. shoulder cover for dress – Soft fur shrug
A faux fur shrug that you can wear around your shoulders will definitely add drama to your outfit. The evening cape (below) comes in a good choice of neutral shades as well as burgundy and has great reviews from women who said they were the center of attention at their event.
BABEYOND Faux Fur Shawl Evening Cape
11. evening dress cover ups – draped shawl
You could also try a shawl or poncho. The cross-front poncho (below) drapes beautifully, and the shoulder detail elevates this cover up. There are a huge choice of colors, and reviewers say it’s the perfect cover up for evening or to elevate your everyday outfits. We think this would also be a great choice while travelling.
12. ribbed fur coat
If you love the look of faux fur, you could try a ribbed choice like the fur coat (below). There’s a choice of colors, and it would look good worn with your evening dress, or with your jeans.
BerryGo Open Front Faux Fur Coat
13. shawls for formal dresses – sequin
Sequins are always a beautiful party choice. If you have a favorite party dress, you can change the look of it with a sequin cape. The capelet (below) has great reviews from women who say it is perfect to make a low cut dress more modest.
14. Closed with a brooch
If you have a favorite blazer, cardigan or wrap, you could always make it evening ready by adding a brooch.
Kenneth Jay Lane 22K-Gold-Plated & Glass Ruby Star Brooch
15. monochrome
Black and white is always a great option, particularly over a black or a red party outfit. Then, on casual days, you can wear with a turtleneck and jeans.
16. Red fur shrug
What could be more glamorous than a fur shrug? A red fur shrug, that’s what. You could wear over your black dress, or with a red dress for top to toe red. One reviewer said she got a million compliments when wearing it.
BEAUTELICATE Faux Fur Wrap Stole
17. Wrap or tie jacket
The bolero (below) works on lots of levels. The tie waist will help to cover a tummy, the deep v-neck creates flattering lines, and the draped sleeves will cover your upper arms without clinging. Reviewers say it adds the perfect touch to a dress, or can be worn with a tank top and jeans.
18. Fun, feathered jacket
If you want to add glamour, you could choose faux fur, sequins, or how about feathers? The crop bolero (below) would add fun to your outfit.
19. Gold scarf
Metallics are not only glamorous, but they are neutral shades just like black or beige, so they will go with everything in your closet.
20. short Silk scarf
If you are looking to cover up a deep v-neck, rather than your upper arms, you could look out for a shorter silky scarf.
MEISEE Mulberry Silk Square Scarf
21. two-tone
A modern way to cover up your dress is to choose a two-tone cover up. You could wear over your black dress, or match your cover up to one of the colors in your outfit.
22. infinity scarf
An infinity scarf can be casual if you choose wool, but it can also be a beautiful cover-up if you look out for evening appropriate materials or a bit of sparkle.
Anika Dali Shimm3er Infinity Scarf
23. Sheer wrap
A sheer wrap is a great way to add coverage to your outfit, but still show off what you are wearing underneath.
24. Simple and elegant pashmina scarf
A pashmina scarf is versatile as you can wear for winter with your jeans, or you can use to cover up your shoulders for a special event. The pashmina scarf (below) has great reviews and comes in a good choice of colors.
25. Cape-style
If you want to channel your inner super hero, how about wearing a cape with your outfit. A cape would look great worn over your dress or with wide leg pants, or simply to dress up your favorite jeans.
Karen Millen Viscose Blend Military Trim Knitted Cape
26. velvet
Velvet is always a beautiful material for parties, particularly for festive or winter events. You could wear the L’AGENCE blazer (below) over a special outfit, and then use it over your jeans with a pair of heels for dinner.
L’AGENCE Wayne Velvet Cropped Double-Breasted Jacket
27. cape with faux fur trim
You’ve seen a cape option, and a faux fur option, now let’s combine the two. Wearers say the cape (below) is elegant-looking and warm.
Gragengs Faux Rabbit Fur Cardigan Cloak
28. Oversized silky scarf
The silky twill scarf (below) is the perfect size for wearing over your shoulders or tied at your neck.
Alexander McQueen Utopian Silk Twill Printed Scarf
29. Reversible pattern oversized shawl
To give your versatility when it comes to your formal outfit cover-up, you could look out for a reversible option.
30. Fur collar
If it will be particularly chilly on your way to your party, you could wear a long-length coat with a cozy faux fur collar. That way, you will look glamorous when you make your entrance.
Karl Lagerfeld Paris Luxe Belted Coat with Removable Faux Fur Collar
31. long evening coat
If you want to sweep ito your party in the most dramatic way, look out for a maxi length coat that is longer than your dress.
Norma Kamali Single-Breasted Four-Way Stretch Coat
32. Sheer sparkly scarf
Choose to add a little bling to your favorite dress with a shiny scarf like the wrap (below), which comes in a choice of shiny metallics.
33. oversized wrap
If you choose an oversized wrap, you’ll find it will drape beautifully over your dress, pants or jumpsuit.
DANA XU 100% Pure Wool Oversized Cashmere Pashmina Scarf
34. cardigan
While the cardigan may not always be thought of as glamorous, it certainly can be. You’ll also find more inspiration in this article on how to wear a cardigan without looking frumpy. Wear your cardigan over your little black dress.
Verdusa Open Front Knitted Crop Cardigan
35. lace
Lace always adds glamour, and can be a great way to cover up your arms if you have a sleeveless dress.
36. short blazer
A blazer is a timeless choice for work or party. The shorter blazer style (below) would look great worn with wide leg pants.
Generation Love Isabella Sequin Crop Jacket
How to cover up a formal outfit with coats
Sometimes you just need more warmth than a simple cover up.
Terri @glammas.closet (read her style interview here) above looks fabulous in black and pink.
Check out these floral dresses from Dress the Population, Reformation, Kiyonna and Mac Duggal that you can wear with this similar cover-up (another option here) and sandals.
37. dress cover up – A leather jacket
A leather jacket can be perfect with your jeans, but can also look fabulous to “toughen” up an evening dress, so long as your event isn’t super formal.
AllSaints Dalby Leather Moto Jacket
Nancy @nancysstyle (read her style interview here) above wears a short, black leather jacket with her red dress.
Recreate her outfit with this similar dress (plus size option here), jacket, sandals and clutch.
38. formal dress with jacket – A long faux fur jacket
Faux fur is a cozy, glamorous option for chilly evenings when looking at how to cover a formal outfit. Wear in the usual way, or drape over your shoulders as a cape.
DONNA SALYERS FABULOUS FURS Rainier Reversible Faux Fur Coat
Eugenia @theeageofgrace (read her style interview here) above shows off an incredibly glamorous party outfit.
Steal her look with this similar top, coat (another option here), sequin pants, pumps and handbag.
39. A statement coat
You can really have fun with your coats when it comes to your evening looks. Choose beautiful colors or prints.
Misook Abstract Jacquard-Knit Tie-Waist Coat
Rita @ritapalazzi (read her style interview here) above chooses a colorful coat and matches the print to the purple in her pants.
Check out this maxi coat (other options here and here) that you can wear with this similar pair of pants and pumps.
40. winter white faux fur
While white sometimes isn’t a practical choice for winter, but it’s definitely a glamorous choice. White will brighten up any color.
Allegra K Cropped Faux Fur Coat
Emms @beautifuleveryday_uk above shows how you could wear a white or cream jacket over your dress.
Get her look with this similar coat, dress, mesh socks, sandals, clutch and headband.
41. cover up for dress – A floral cardigan
A lacey cardigan is a fantastic way to cover up your upper arms.
Anne Klein Floral Mesh Cardigan
Patricia @patriciaafricaiglesias (read her style interview here) above shows how you could cover up your special outfit if you have a romantic style personality.
Recreate her outfit with this similar dress (other options here and here), cardigan (another option here), sandals and clutch.
42. A sheer wrap as a formal dress cover up
Choosing a sheer wrap is a fantastic way to add coverage, while still showing off your outfit underneath.
Nordstrom Satin Border Silk Chiffon Scarf
Jess @elegantlydressedandstylish (read her style interview here) above wears a versatile sheer wrap that you could easily use to cover up your swimsuit in summer or your evening dress during party season.
Steal her look with this similar dress, wrap, sandals, clutch and earrings.
shop the best formal outfit cover-ups here:
Continue reading for more party outfit ideas:
- How To Dress For A Christmas Party: 11 Outfit Ideas!
- The best office party outfits
- How To Cover Your Upper Arms While Staying Stylish And Cool!
Do you have a favorite way to cover up your evening outfits? What do you consider when thinking how to cover up a formal outfit? What’s your favorite look?
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Event photography by Denton Taylor
Feature image by Nancy @nancysstyle
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Thanks for all the ideas and all the time you put into this post. I am always at a loss for cover ups for dressy occasions. It helps to see all the examples.
To me a lot of these outfits look like they tried too hard, there’s too much going on so nothing stands out.
I like to choose a statement piece, whether it’s a dress, sequined pants or necklace and keep the rest quite plain and simple. That’s just my preference. I’m not a dressy person but for special occasions I like to look like I didn’t try too hard ( although I most probably did ). Thank you for the article , it was very interesting.
My favorites are 38 long faux fur coat,39 statement coat 40 white coat.i have long faux fur coat in black. 39 I have statement coat in white and ivory. 40 I have a white coat . I was just thinking what color to wear for Christmas and new years and what to do for cover-up . I decided for Christmas to do my dark green jumpsuit and faux fur jacket. For new years eve iam do my satin jumpsuit in olive green wear with my fur wrap.i wanted something that be cute enough for church but keep me warm all night.
3, 4, 5, 14, 15, 18 with 31 being my winner. There were a few which I thought were horrible, but I will only mention the ones which I thought were really nice. Of course it is just my taste and nobody cares anyway haha.