How to Style a Sweater Dress?

Are you keen to know how to wear a jumper dress in style? How to choose one that flatters your figure? What jacket and shoes should you pair it with?

You're in the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I obviously love wearing beautiful evening outfits like long dresses or tailored jumpsuits, but I also enjoy staying on-trend every day with must-have basics like a knit dress.

To help you uncover the secrets of the sweater dress, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide for you, filled with tips and practical information!

The knitted dress is perfect for everyday wear, whether at work or out with friends, especially during the mid-season and winter. Choose one that suits your body shape to highlight your waist, neckline, or legs, depending on your silhouette. You can wear a knitted dress with a ¾ jacket, a leather biker jacket, or simply a large scarf to keep warm. When it comes to footwear, don’t hesitate to pair it with ankle boots or heeled boots. Finally, accessorise it with a belt and a stylish bag to complete your look!

Want more details? Keep reading to find out:

• What's the perfect time to wear a knitted dress,
• Which style to choose to flatter your figure,
• What kind of jacket to wear with a knitted dress,
• Which shoes and accessories to pair with this type of dress,
• And plenty of tips and trendy outfit ideas featuring a knitted dress!

When and how to wear a jumper dress?

Practical and comfortable, the knitted dress is a great alternative if you're looking for a stylish look that allows you to move freely. In the following lines, I’ll share when to wear it throughout the year and in what types of situations.

Which Season?

The knitted dress is perfect for the transitional seasons, specifically autumn and spring, when it’s not too hot or too cold. When autumn arrives, you can wear it on its own. In winter, you can still wear it, but layer it with a jacket.

For what occasion?

Knit dresses are perfect for wearing everyday, whether you're going to work or studying, as they allow you to move freely and are easy to pair with the rest of your wardrobe. They keep you a little warm and shield you from drafts, which is ideal if you need to spend time sitting still or outside.

With polished makeup, a lovely hairstyle, and a few accessories, a knit dress can have a slightly dressed-up vibe for a casual night out with friends or a romantic date.

In this case, choose a style that hugs your body shape for a feminine and sexy look!

👉 Knit dresses aren't really suitable for formal occasions and events (weddings, cocktails, christenings, receptions, etc.): in these cases, opt for richer fabrics and more décolletage cuts. You can find out more about this in our complete guide dedicated to evening dresses!

How to Choose the Right Knitted Dress for Your Body Shape?

Because they are often quite fitted and solid in colour, knit dresses can be a real asset for enhancing your figure. All you need to do is choose a style that flatters you. Let’s explore how together! 😉

👉 If you're unsure about the size when choosing your knitted dress, it's best to go for the next size up. Avoid thin knits and fabrics, as they may not be particularly flattering, especially if you have a curvier figure.

If you have an hourglass figure: a defined waist with prominent bust and hips

If you have this body shape, often referred to as an "hourglass silhouette," you can almost wear anything you like. Why not take advantage of it to accentuate your curves? To do this, choose a dress that buttons up at the front:

• either as a wrap-around with a belt,
• or with buttons.

👉 If you're fastening your dress with a fabric belt, don't hesitate to create a big bow 🎀 that will draw attention to your slim waist and the curve of your hips!

For those with an A-shaped body: generous hips and thighs

As your thighs and hips are wider than your upper body, it’s a good idea to wear a sweater dress that contrasts with this shape. You can go for a mid-length flared dress, which suggests your curves without clinging to them. If the bottom of your dress has a skater shape, meaning it flares out from the waist without hugging your legs, that’s ideal!

For an Androgynous or Slim Athletic Silhouette

Wearing a knitted dress with a long, slender figure is a great way to create the illusion of feminine curves in your silhouette. To achieve this, simply look for dresses with voluminous details (such as lines) around your neckline and shoulders. This could include lovely shoulder pads or a high collar. Balloon sleeves also work well for this purpose.

You can also play with colours to add some shape to your silhouette by opting for a fitted dress with horizontal coloured lines around the waist, which will accentuate your hips and waist.

What jacket to wear with a sweater dress?

To keep warm over your knitted dress, you can definitely wear a jacket. However, since these dress styles are a bit thick, I recommend opting for subtle and minimalist coats, like a biker jacket or a simple tonal jacket that falls to mid-thigh.

Another option is to simply wear a maxi scarf over a warm dress to keep your neck and chest warm. In this case, don't hesitate to layer up under your knitted dress to protect yourself from chilly drafts.

What Shoes to Wear with a Knit Dress?

Choosing the right shoes to wear with a sweater dress isn't too difficult! Shoes that rise slightly up your legs will always be a great choice to highlight your outfit, as long as they don’t get lost beneath your dress. Here are a few styles that pair particularly well with this type of dress.

Thigh-high boots or ankle boots with a short form-fitting jumper dress

To give yourself a sexy vibe with a knitted dress that falls above the knee, feel free to wear boots or thigh-highs that match your dress or provide a subtle contrast. For lighter or beige styles, camel-coloured shoes will be perfect to add a bohemian chic touch to your look.

Sneakers or ankle boots with a midi knit dress

For a slightly longer dress, I suggest opting for ankle boots, which will enhance your legs and make them look longer. You can choose a style with small slender heels or flat soles to create a lovely posture that gives you the appearance of a confident and determined woman.

If you're after a more modern outfit, you might want to consider high-top sneakers or even wedge sneakers.

Heels with a Long Knit Dress

With this style of sweater dress, heels are essential to maintain your silhouette. You could opt for nice sandals or ankle boots. It might be best to avoid stilettos, as they could look a bit too fancy for your dress and throw off your overall look: that would be unfortunate!

What accessory to enhance a knit dress?

The sweater dress is a fashion piece that is beautiful in its simplicity and elegance. Therefore, it's important not to oversaturate the look: to achieve this, choose one or two accessories that will help you create a unique and stylish outfit!

A belt to shape your silhouette

If you want to elevate your sweater dress and achieve a trendy look, a belt is an excellent option. Choose one that is matched to your shoes, especially if they are leather: this will create a lovely balance and enhance your silhouette.

If you're slightly curvy, go for a wide belt (3 to 5 cm) to accentuate your hips without constricting them.

A stylish bag to elevate your outfit

As the jumper dress is quite casual, you might like to choose a lovely handbag to add a chic touch to your outfit. Similar to the belt, I recommend selecting one that is the same colour as your shoes to create a cohesive look.

A small handbag with fine details is usually more suitable than a large bag: it’s best to avoid bulky, unstructured tote bags, as they may not look particularly stylish with a knit dress.

Woolly Socks

Want to wear a vintage sweater dress? In that case, pairing it with black knee-high socks is perfect for achieving a grunge style, typical of the 80s and 90s and very on trend.

👉 To find out how to choose your knee-high socks, what accessories to pair them with, and discover heaps of other tips on this topic, check out our dedicated guide!

Lovely Hair Accessories

Knitted dresses are a fantastic option for achieving a lovely look when it's a bit chilly, but they do have a slight downside: if they're made of wool, they can easily generate static electricity, which can make your hair tricky to style.

To avoid this kind of hassle, you can style your long or medium-length hair into a bun or ponytail, pulling it up and away from your face. Feel free to embellish your hairstyle with lovely accessories made of metal or fabric, to add a final touch of elegance to your outfit.

I hope this complete guide to the sweater dress has answered all your questions about it! If you still have any queries, feel free to leave me a comment below this article, and I'll be more than happy to respond!

If you love fashion or are on the lookout for original and trendy clothes at affordable prices, feel free to check out the bohemian collections we've curated for you available in our online store! 😉

Bohemian Long Dress