It’s no secret that winter and layering tend to go hand-in-hand.  Embracing an added shirt or two is both practical and commonplace.  But warmth is not my sole motivator this time of year when faced with store fronts full of flirty spring prints and colors.  I begin to have trouble accepting that there are still weeks of wintry weather ahead of us before those playful patterns and pastels are appropriate, so instead I utilize my layering skills and incorporate some extra winter-friendly items — like the embellished black tee and tights I’ve paired with this sleeveless dress, or even an additional dress and jacket as seen here.

{Romeo and Juliet Couture dress via HauteLook; Gap ruffled t-shirt; ShoeMint heels; vintage bracelet; misc. earrings and tights}