Woman wearing seasonless yellow silk jacket from EILEEN FISHER.

Think you can’t wear that silk dress year round? Think again.

Silk. It’s one of the most luxurious fabrics you can get your hands on. Not only is it beautiful—it’s versatile to boot. Worn off duty or in the office, styled for daytime or dinner, silk has an elegant yet easy quality that just works. You may not think you can wear it all year round, but we’re here to tell you that you most certainly can.

The key to transforming your favorite silk pieces into seasonless staples is to layer them with seasonal fabrics. For example, that silk dress you love to wear in spring can be winterized by adding a cozy cashmere sweater. That lustrous cami you turn to under blazers in fall? Layer it with linen or style it with cotton shorts. By choosing the right pieces, you can build a simple wardrobe that works across multiple seasons (and do more with less). Below, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your silk styles—year after year.

Silk pieces styled in winter with wool sweaters.

Left: Cashmere Silk Bliss Top, Crushed Silk Tank Dress. Right: Boiled Wool Top, Renew Silk Organza Layering Tank.

MIX SILK + CASHMERE

“Cozy” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of silk, but don’t relegate it to the back of your winter closet yet. In fact, the holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to experiment with luxe silk textures that add depth and dimension. A silk tank dress emerges as a worthy winter contender when layered under a turtleneck sweater—we particularly love the rich contrast of crinkled silk and plush cashmere.

LAYER A SILK TANK

Looking to add some intrigue to your outfit? Try replacing your standard base layer with something a little more unexpected. Enter: the silk layering tank. While silk (especially the sheer variety) may not seem like the most practical fabric to reach for as temperatures drop, it lends an ethereal touch under wool that makes this combo anything but boring. Plus the longer length peeks out under box-tops—so your layer won’t go unnoticed. Instead, it just might steal the show.

COMBINE SILK + LINEN

Easy, breezy… silk? Like we said, this luxe and light fabric is versatile. It dresses up with ease but also makes a great addition to a more laid-back wardrobe—just like one of our other favorite fabrics: linen. For a combination that’s relaxed yet refined, try a silk shirt under a linen jacket and—voilà!—you’ve mixed two seemingly opposite materials to create the perfect match (the peanut butter and jelly of fabrics, if you will).

TRY NEUTRALS WITH A POP

Spring is synonymous with starting fresh, which is why there’s no better time to invest in high-quality pieces in a clean, neutral palette. We love the way tonal silk separates come to life by adding a bright pop of color. This color mix isn’t just a mood lifter, it also helps transition your neutral pieces into a lighter, brighter season.

How to style neutral silk pieces for spring.

Left: Linen High Collar Jacket, Silk V-Neck Shirt, Undyed Denim Lantern Pants. Right: Cotton Nylon Jacket, Stretch Silk Charmeuse Cami, Silk Bias Skirt.

How to style silk cami and cami dress for summer.

Left: Organic Pima Cotton Tee, Renew Silk Georgette Cami Dress. Right: Stretch Silk Charmeuse Cami, Renew Organic Linen Drawstring Shorts.

ADD A LAYERING TEE

Sure, cotton and linen were made for warm weather, but that doesn’t mean silk can’t have a place in your summer wardrobe too. In addition to being lightweight, this natural fiber wicks moisture, stays cool and is surprisingly breathable. That’s why we think a simple silk dress is a deserving addition to your summer repertoire. While this long silhouette is striking on its own, it also looks great layered over a tee with a pair of classic sneakers. Try this combo next time you’re looking for a weekend-ready outfit (or if you need an extra layer for those chilly air-conditioned spaces).

STYLE SILK WITH SHORTS

Of course, the real MVP of sleek summer style is the silk cami. Our Silk Charmeuse is timeless, easy and, best of all, washable. And while it’s an obviously elegant choice for office or occasion, it also feels right at home styled with a pair of shorts. Next time you’re looking for an unexpected pairing, try reaching for a silk cami and linen shorts. Our favorite part about this mix? The juxtaposition of lustrous and rustic textures.

TURN TO A TURTLENECK

It’s always hard saying goodbye to summer—but these dark and moody fall looks make it a bit easier. To transition a silk tank dress into a new season, simply layer it over a slim turtleneck. The effortless combination goes from morning to midnight with ease (trust us, we’ve tried it).

PLAY WITH PROPORTION

To master the art of fall-proof dressing once and for all, try a classic silk shirtdress over a matching pair of pants, then add on a long vest (like the one above in our signature boiled wool) for an extra layer of warmth. The mix of wool and matte silk creates visual interest (plus you’ll get bonus points for playing with proportion).