How a Duster Can Suddenly Make You Look Dressed

If you have just one duster, you can look through my outfit suggestions and change it into so many looks, from lounging to errands to evenings and more. If you don’t have a duster, it would definitely be worth getting because it is a look maker. It’s easy to toss on when you need to look good in a hurry. So let me show you how to wear a duster. Age doesn’t matter.

So what is a duster, anyway? Well, let me explain and then I’ll give you over 50 ideas for how to wear it!

This post has been updated to provide the highest quality content.

What Is a Duster?

Over time, my concept of a duster was formed through context — or rather from seeing so many that I ended up with a vision in my mind’s eye of what a duster generally was. I assumed it was simply a longer version of a kimono or lightweight cardigan. Although one might think that a duster is so long that it “dusts” the floor as you walk, not all of them are. Some are just midi length.

Just to be a trustworthy source for you, I decided to look up the definition of what a duster actually is.  As is often the case with fashion, an article of clothing may originate as something useful and then evolve over time into new creations based on the beauty of it. So a duster was originally:  “a long, light over-garment, worn especially in the early days of open automobiles to protect the clothing from dust” and then became “a lightweight housecoat.” — Dictionary.com

Plus Size Duster from Torrid 

Nowadays, it can still be worn over your basic clothes around the house. For instance, if you have on a t-shirt and jeans, a bralette and boxers, a crop top and leggings, pajamas, a nightgown or sweats, you can cover up and spiff yourself up with a pretty duster. It can also keep the chill off, especially if it’s a lightweight knit. Or you can throw it on over whatever you’re wearing around the house when you want to look presentable to get the mail or run an errand. It can be used as a swimsuit coverup. It can be a pretty substitute for a robe. And you can add a belt or tie on a sash.

There are duster coats, duster jackets, duster cardigans, duster vests and duster kimonos. That last type is what I’m focusing on in this post, but you may like to substitute whatever you have.

Ways to Style a Duster at Different Times

A duster can be a third piece (over a basic or neutral top and bottom) to create a beautiful style for various occasions, especially when embellished with accessories. It’s great over jeans and a tee. Or, you can just belt it and wear it as a robe/housecoat. But beyond that, there are so many ways to style a duster.

I usually separate my outfit ideas by season. So I’ve divided the following outfit combinations into the categories of Warm Weather, Cold Weather, Anytime and Evening.

Below are specific outfit ideas that you can use by substituting what you have and changing the color palettes to your favorites. I hope you enjoy experimenting and creating new outfits with a duster. I would love to hear how it works out for you. Please do leave a reply below this post!

How to Wear a Duster Anytime

1. A duster over a top extender (a long top with lace along the bottom) over slim jeans, pants or skirt.
2. Belt a duster with a studded or embellished belt to create a dress.
3. A duster over a simple shift dress.
4. A duster over a column of color, such as a black top + black pants.
5. An ivory tunic-length t-shirt + ivory skinnies + a sage or soft neutral duster. Add some pendants + a watch + rings + a cross-body bag.
   

   Picture Perfect Duster from Ariat in a serape stripe

6. A duster over a graphic tee & jeans. Add cowboy boots & silver jewelry.
7. Pair a neutral printed or embellished duster with printed wide-leg pants or a maxi-skirt.
8. A duster + a camisole or tank + a long pencil skirt, all in toned colors (i.e., rust duster, rust cami, rust or navy skirt.) Add a wrist full of narrow bangles + ornate earrings.
9. Combine a duster with a skirt and top of your choice.
10. A tribal-print duster + a classic black top + black leggings. Add tribal accessories, all in color harmony (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, boots.) For instance, turquoise accessories, since it goes with everything. You might also want to tie a scarf around your head that matches the color and theme (tribal.) Or use a duster with a different theme, such as Western or Bohemian, etc.
11. A navy floral kimono + a navy floral dress (or whatever matching-color prints you may have.) Layer 3-5 delicate necklaces. Add beaded bracelets.

    

12. Top a tunic and skinny jeans with a duster. Sling a belt over.
13. A duster + a tunic + black skinnies. Add a charm pendant + fine gold hoop earrings.
14. A duster over a tunic + leggings.
15. Add a duster to stretch pants & a longer-length top. Finish with ballet flats.
16. A navy top + skinny blue jeans + a navy printed duster. Add a blue tassel necklace.

    

17. A black duster + a black graphic t-shirt + skinny or slim-cut pants. Add a long medallion + earrings.
18. Top a graphic tee & skinnies with a duster. Match or tone at least two of the pieces in color for a more classic look. Add a long pendant + earrings, etc.
19. Belt a duster over a graphic t-shirt & jeans.
20. A black or gray duster + a gray shell top + blue jeans.
21. Any duster + a neutral top, such as white, gray or black + jeans.

Transitional Weather

Veronica Jacquard Cardigan duster from Soft Surroundings can help you transition to Fall with boots or to Spring with sandals.

1. An animal-print duster over a black outfit. Add boots to transition to Fall when Summer is just starting to cool down. When Spring is warming up, wear it with lighter, brighter colors and sandals.
2. A duster over a kaftan.
3. An ivory lace duster + turquoise tunic-length tank top + blue jeans. Add a long pendant + belt + ankle boots + a bangle.
4. A white tee or tank + jeans + a duster over. Add a silky scarf tied European style.

How to Wear a Duster in Warm Weather

1. Wear a lacy and/or embroidered duster over a lightweight tank top & trousers. Add a long, delicate and/or beaded pendant.
2. A lace duster over a floral dress. You might like to add cut-out or perforated ankle boots.
3. Pair a sage duster with a floral dress with navy ground or a column of gray (such as a gray top and bottom.) Add flat sandals.
4. A charcoal gray t-shirt + skinny blue jeans + a floral duster with navy ground. If the floral duster has a different color ground, tone the tee to the duster. Some accessory possibilities are a brass pendant, studded tan sandals, silver aviator sunglasses.
5. A t-shirt dress, short or long + a printed duster with a color of the dress. Add a long pendant.
   

   Athena Topper from Soft Surroundings over a column of white

6. Wear a duster as a swimsuit cover at the beach or pool.
7. A black embroidered duster + a gray or black pant set. Add heeled sandals + a big chunky or statement pendant.
8. Match or tone a slip dress to a color found in a printed duster. Add heeled sandals + jewelry of choice.
9. A printed duster + a toned graphic tank or tee + leggings. Possible accessories are heeled sandals, a cord necklace and/or bracelet, bead bracelets, watch, rings.

   

10. Wear a crochet duster over a tank or camisole + linen pants.
11. Wear a duster ovser a peplum top & jogger pants. Add heeled sandals.
12. A striped tank or tee + a matching-color duster + joggers or slouchy pants. You might like to add sandals.
13. A white tunic-length t-shirt + animal-print leggings + a duster. Add sandals + layered pendants + rings.

How to Wear a Duster in Cold Weather

I’d like to give special thanks to Debbie of Fashion Fairy Dust (above) for the brilliant idea of layering dusters!

1. A sweater duster over a lace duster (so nice to see the lace as hem below the top layer) + a graphic or any t-shirt + skinnies.  You might also like to add over-the-knee boots for extra warmth.
2. For extra warmth, layer a velvet duster under a lightweight duster. You might like to add a draped camisole or tee, slouchy pants, ankle boots.
3. A velvet duster + a top with embellished cuffs + printed skinnies. Add boots + a big scarf. If sunny, add sunglasses.
4. A floral maxi dress + a velvet duster. Add boots (you might even wear cowboy boots!) Accessory possibilities are:  delicate necklaces, bead bracelets toned to the colors in the dress, a chain bracelet, hoop earrings, extra rings.
5. Match a velvet duster to a dress (any dress, but a slip dress is especially good here.) Add a long gold or silver pendant + ankle boots.

   

6. A gray, brown or navy velvet duster + a floral dress with navy, brown or gray ground. Layer delicate gold necklaces and beaded bracelets.
7. A draped t-shirt over slouchy pants + a duster. Add ankle boots.
8. Top a white ruffled blouse & slim-cut pants with a black duster. Add black boots + embellished dangle earrings + a necklace.
9. A duster + destroyed skinny jeans + a longer-length top. Add a statement coin necklace + animal-print sandals. You might also like to add coin earrings.
10. Partially tuck a red top into black joggers & top with a gray duster. Add black ankle boots + a black cross-body bag + long pendants. If sunny, add sunglasses.

    

11. A duster kimono + a plain black tee or turtleneck + black leggings + black boots. Add ethnic necklaces.
12. A long-sleeve t-shirt under a black lace or sequin tank top + dark denim or black jeans + a velvet duster. Add layered pendants + ankle boots.
13. Wear a black duster over a graphic t-shirt & a black faux leather skirt. Add heeled ankle boots.
14. A black, gray or navy graphic tee + blue jeans + a rust duster. Add heeled brown ankle boots + big earrings + rings.
15. A black or white tee + blue, black or gray jeans + a duster, especially one with turquoise embroidery or a tribal print. Add a squash blossom necklace + ankle boots.

How to Wear a Duster for Evening

1. Pair a long dress with a duster. Add a chiffon, silky or filmy shawl.
2. A black embroidered duster + a black maxi dress. Layer delicate gold necklaces + bead bracelets.
3. A body-conscious dress + a duster (basic black makes this dressier.) Add a pendant + ankle boots or footwear of choice.
4. Combine a black embellished tunic with a long, black, slim, embellished skirt & a black embellished duster.
   

   Sequin Duster from Roaman’s over a column of black

5. A sequin duster over a black top & black faux leather pants. Add black heels, whether kitten heels, evening sandals or booties.
6. A black lace top tucked inside harem pants + a black duster. Add an ornate or colorful belt.
7. Top a multi-color printed top & black faux leather pants with a duster in a dark, neutral color. Add gold:  shoes, cuff, necklace, earrings.
8. Day to Evening:  Belt a duster over a camisole + pants with a studded or embellished belt. Add heeled sandals for evening.

Let’s Connect!

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Thank you for visiting Your True Self Blog!

Angie

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