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Dresses are always in style and are fun to wear year-round. But in today's economy, you can't always afford to buy new things for each season. So how can you extend the life of your dresses? Pair them with jeans and different accessories for a fun, fresh look that works every day of the year.
Sun Dresses
Sun dresses aren't just for the beach anymore.This cute, strappy style looks great with a pair of skinny jeans. Layer your sun dress over a tiny T-shirt for an added layer in spring and fall, and finish off the look with a pair of canvas sneakers and a funky bucket hat.
Tube Dresses
A strapless dress with a gathered bodice and short, flowing skirt is a staple for many ladies in hot weather. When the air turns cool or you don't want to show quite so much leg, throw this dress on over a pair of loose-fitting, faded jeans with a few holes. With a comfy cardigan and a pair of leather or canvas sandals, your tube dress and jeans ensemble is perfect for an afternoon with friends.
Party Dresses
Don't think your dress-and-jeans options are limited to the most casual things in your closet. Give your old formal dress a new life with a pair of skinny jeans and boots: think combat boots or a pair with high, chunky heels. This look works best with a dress with a short, full skirt and a fitted bodice that's either strapless or has spaghetti straps. Top it off with a cropped cardigan or fitted jacket and some sparkly bracelets for a night on the town.
Vintage Dresses
Check thrift and consignment stores for dresses from the '50s and '60s. A dress with a knee-length full circle skirt looks great with jeans and a pair of wedge espadrilles for a summer picnic in the park. Pair a bold, patterned shift from the '60s' mod era with a pair of painted-on jeans and go-go boots and big, chunky earrings for a fun evening out with the girls.
Shirt Dresses
A shirt dress -- a dress that looks like a button-down shirt, only longer -- over skinny jeans is a more polished take on the dress-over-jeans look. With a pair of low-heeled pumps and a chic ponytail, this is a look that would work for a lunch date or when meeting your sweetheart's parents for the first time.
