8 Cool Ways to Wear Alternative Fashion Dresses

Dressing alternative is one of the funnest and most creativity rich ways to express yourself through the things you choose to wear. The alternative fashion style and trend draws from a massive pool of sources, which keeps the style fresh and full of new, inspiring and invigorating ideas (something the variety seeker like me just loves!). This means you’re never short of new, fun, and exciting things to wear, as you always have so many options to choose from! The whole appeal (at least for me anyway) when it comes to alternative stuff, is that it’s all about making things fit in with what my ideas are.

There’s no rules, no strict guidelines, and no judgement about what’s alternative and what’s not. Of course, there are some things that simply aren’t alternative (corsets and tuxedos?), but basically, this trend allows for anything. The parameters that define this style are more a set of ideals than they are written codes.

These ideals make up a general theme, which if I had to sum it up, it would basically be: whatever laid back, whatever casual, and whatever that looks cool. I know I know, it’s pretty vague, but the whole point is that there’s freedom with this trend, which is what makes it so unique, and makes it so fun! Don’t worry, the images in this guide will demonstrate to you visually what cool sexy dresses you can try, and hopefully you’ll get some cool and inspiring ideas from them as a result!

Now, when it comes to dresses, some gals get a little stumped for ideas, and sometimes think of dresses as either too plain in an outfit or too complicated to pull off when they’re not. A lot of the time people think of an outfit with a dress in it and think the dress has to be fancy and of exceptional quality, as it’s going to make or break the entire outfit. This guide is here to show that this couldn’t be further from the truth, and a dress doesn’t need to have so much pressure put on it, as with alternative trends, there is more than one way to wear a dress.

If you’re searching for inspiration for ideas about how to wear dresses in cool and creative ways, or just any outfit ideas in general, then you’ve come to the right place. Now get ready to go on a fashionista journey!

1. White lace dress, black faux-leather jacket, black platform sandals, black wide brimmed hat, and a choker.

A simple color scheme of black and white, yet this outfit is simply stunning. The jacket demonstrates perfectly what we mean when we say dresses don’t have to start and end at the dress.

The platform sandals are an excellent shoe choice, and with this outfit in particular, can be replaced with almost any shoe type – preferably black to continue the black-on-white theme. Love the hat, and it really tips off the look (pun intended). A choker necklace is always a must for this kind of 90s choker outfit.

2. Black velvet dress, thrift bought kimono, black combat boots, and a choker to finish.

I love thrift items, they are about a dime a dozen (literally), and they can often act as centrepiece items, as we see with this awesome kimono. It almost gives a grunge feel, which perfectly fits in with the mold set by the boots and the dress.

I could also see this look being dressed up a bit more with heels or sandals, and if you’re having a lazy hair day, a brimmed hat for sure!

3. White polka dotted black long sleeved dress, knee-high laced boots in black, black hat, a choker, and a maroon tasseled handbag.

Great cross-over look, combining the gloomy and dark vibes of the goth syle, with the upbeat feels of the grunge items.

Laced boots are made for dresses, and you don’t have to wear sneakers or boots to rock an alternative look as this outfit shows.

4. A simple body hugging peach dress with exposed back.

A more dressed up look, this outfit proves that alternative is an all-rounder style, perfect for even the most dressy of occasions.

This look can be worn with heels, or dressy sandals, and a coat can make a wonderful addition in preparation for the colder days. Love the dyed hair also! Quintessentially alternative.

5. White flare pockets dress, black cardigan, Dr. Marten Molly velvet boots in black, and a black fedora.

A creative bundle of alternative joy. This outfit just makes me happy. I love how the pastel dyed hairstyles are coming into fashion, and they can really be used as a tool to beef up a look, as this one proves.

Sandals would fit nicely with this look, if you’re feeling just a tad too lazy to lace up those boots, and I’d love to see how a snazzy purse would look when added to the mix.

6. Simple black dress with black waist belt, black biker jacket, black garters, a pair of Reserved boots in black, and a black hat.

Black, black, black, you definitely can’t go wrong with black. Yet another prime and excellent example of crossover pieces being used to formulate an alternative look, with the dress acting as a blank (or rather, black) canvas for a bundle of fashion goodies.

Again, just look at how the pastel hair plays a role in adding to the whole aesthetic appeal of the look, with this particular do acting as a contrast to the black used throughout the outfit. A simple switch of the jacket to a cardigan or something of a similar kind (many items will accomplish the fete) will give this look a more grunge-inspired feel.

7. Oriana Shift dress in deep purple, a copper necklace, a pair of Nude sandals, and a thrifted leather clutch, black lace shawl, reflective round sunglasses, and round black felt-hat.

A wonderful assortment of different pieces, each adding to the full utter extravagance, this look just screams.

This mix-mash of different items couldn’t have been pulled off better, and the fact that many of them are thrifted shows the ease and simplicity of the alternative style.

8. Faux-leather scoop back motorbike jacket, a Maxi dress, with a pair of platform heels, and an array of cool accessories.

Another fantastic black-on-white look, perfect for spring, and perfectly alternative.

Everything from the hair, to the shoes, all embodies everything that alternative is about.

Hopefully this guide will give you some cool and exciting ideas to try next time you head out!
That you now feel inspired to make outfits your own, to incorporate things into your look that are out of the norm, and to make things your own!

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