The little black dress aside, there’s no color of dresses that’s quite so versatile or elegant as a blue dress.  

From rich royal blue and navy to whimsical periwinkle and sky blue to summery light denim and indigo, there’s a perfect shade of blue dress for every occasion. But just as important as the dress shade itself is how you choose to style your blue dress outfit.

That’s why we aim to provide you with both tips for what to wear with any blue dress as well as 5 concrete blue dress outfit ideas to provide inspiration while helping you jump-start your outfit planning.  

First things first: you’ve got to pick the right blue dress!

Before deciding on what that looks like, there are a few things you should be mindful of, which include:

• • • The Occasion: The blue dress you’ll choose for a fall wedding at a yacht club is probably going to be very different than the blue dress you choose for a casual girls’ trip or beach vacation. For the first, you might consider a floor-length gown in a darker color. For the latter, you might prefer a knee-length sundress or maxi dress. If stuck for ideas, draw inspiration and direction for outfit planning from the occasion first!
       
    • The Material vs. Season: If it’s the dead of summer, a thin dress made of material like cotton or UPF+ sun protection fabric is probably best. In Autumn, a thicker cut of cotton or other material may be more appropriate.
       
    • The Fit: How a dress fits you is just as, if not more, important as what properties it inherently offers, such as pattern, material, and level of formality. So, consider your body shape and what styles of dresses might fit you best.

Next, it’s time to accessorize. This is where the styling part comes in. But what goes with a blue dress, you might wonder? Truthfully, just about anything.  

Complimentary colors like orange can add a nice pop of color against blue. But you can also pair a blue dress with neutrals to really let the blue be the star of the outfit.

Here are some styling/accessory ideas by level of formality:

• Casual Blue Dress Styling Ideas: If you’re styling a sundress or shorter blue dress, pair it with sneakers, an everyday neutral canvas or leather purse or tote bag, and maybe a belt. In cooler weather, top with a denim or leather jacket. For a smart casual look, top with a sweater and swap out the sneakers for espadrilles or flats.
   
• Semi-Formal Blue-Dress Styling Ideas: Need blue cocktail dress outfit inspiration? Pair with heels or patent leather flats, a leather purse or clutch, and a sweater, cashmere topper, or scarf in cooler weather.  
   
• Formal Dress/Blue Gown Styling Ideas: Formal gowns are usually worn with heels, but dressy flats or Mary Janes may be substituted sometimes. In most cases, you should choose a clutch or small evening purse to pair with a formal blue gown.  

Need more specific denim dress outfit inspiration or navy blue dress outfit ideas? If the above tips aren’t quite what you were looking for allow us to provide the following 5 actual blue dress outfit suggestions!

The Sami and Jo Silver Glitter Damask Ruffle Sleeve Dress has a stylish damask pattern in shades of blue and white, with silver glitter accents. It looks good on its own, but for a little extra flair, we recommend topping it with a denim jacket, following the rule of thirds, of course. Pair it with your favorite pair of sandals or clogs, for a little extra support.

With its classic royal blue background and cream-colored flowers, the Mod Flowers Tiered Dress by Look Mode goes perfectly with tan flip-flops or espadrilles. For a beachy look, pair with a rattan or straw purse and your favorite pair of sunglasses (we recommend tortoiseshell shade or gold aviators).

Pair the Bali Solid Stretch Long Sleeve Dress with a cognac-colored faux leather jacket. Complete the look with a pair of tan or brown boots for a little Western flair.  

Looking for a blue and white outfit idea? The Mlle Gabrielle Parrot Cove Triple Tiered Dress is the perfect backdrop for a crisp white cardigan. Complete the elegant tropical look with white sandals or heels. Looking to get a little dressed up? The beauty of this combination is that you can wear it with either sterling silver or gold jewelry, too!

The Silver O-Ring Collared Sleeveless Dress by Tiana B is equal parts trendy (thanks to the large zipper pull) and timeless (thanks to the classic cobalt blue). This dress looks great with deep black. For a dramatic look that says "approachable but elegant," try pairing with a black dress topper and black patent pumps.

Looking for a different blue dress or going for a different look? Shop all our blue dresses at Anthony’s now! Whether you choose sky blue or royal blue; navy or indigo, the sky really is the limit when it comes to styling blue dresses. We can’t wait to see what combinations you come up with!