Are you wondering how to stylishly wear a sweater dress? 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 absolutely love wearing beautiful evening outfits like long dresses or tailored jumpsuits, but I also enjoy staying trendy in my everyday life with essential pieces like the sweater dress.
To help you uncover the secrets of sweater dress fashion, I’ve prepared this comprehensive guide featuring plenty of tips and practical information just for you!
The knit dress is perfect for everyday wear, at work, or for a night out with friends, especially during the transitional seasons and winter. Choose one that suits your body shape to highlight your waist, neckline, or legs, depending on your figure. You can pair a knit dress with a ¾ jacket, a leather biker jacket, or a simple oversized scarf to keep warm. When it comes to footwear, feel free to match it with ankle boots or heeled boots. Finally, accessorize with a belt and a stylish bag to complete your look!
Do you want more details? Keep reading to discover:
- What is the best time to wear a sweater dress,
- Which style to choose to flatter your body type,
- What jacket to wear with a sweater dress,
- What shoes and accessories to pair with this type of dress,
- And loads of tips and trendy outfit ideas featuring a sweater dress!
When and How to Wear a Sweater Dress?
Practical and comfortable, the sweater dress is a great alternative if you're looking for a stylish look that allows you to move freely. In the following lines, I will suggest what time of year to wear it and in what types of contexts.
Which Season?
The sweater dress is perfect for the mid-season, which means fall and spring, when it's neither too cold nor too warm. When autumn arrives, you can wear it on its own. In winter, you can continue to wear it, but with a jacket.
For what occasion?
Knit dresses are perfect for wearing everyday, whether you're going to work or studying, as they allow for easy movement and are simple to pair with the rest of your wardrobe. They provide just the right amount of warmth and shield you from drafts, which is ideal if you need to sit for extended periods without much movement or if you're outdoors.
With polished makeup, a nice hairstyle, and a few accessories, a sweater dress can have a slightly dressy vibe for a casual outing with friends or a romantic date.
In this case, choose a style that hugs the curves of your body for a feminine and sexy look!
👉 Sweater dresses are not really suitable for evenings and formal events (weddings, cocktails, baptisms, receptions, etc.): in these cases, opt for more luxurious fabrics and more décolletage styles. Learn more about this in our comprehensive guide to evening dresses!
How to Choose the Right Sweater Dress for Your Body Type
Because they are often fitted and solid in colour, sweater dresses can be a real asset for Enhancing your silhouette. To achieve this, simply choose a style that flatters your figure. Let's explore how to do this together! 😉
👉 If you're uncertain about the size when choosing your sweater dress, opt for the next size up. Steer clear of overly thin knits and fabrics, as they might not be the most flattering, particularly if you have a curvier figure.
If you have an hourglass figure: defined waist, prominent bust, and hips
If you have this body type, often referred to as an "hourglass figure," you can pretty much wear anything. Why not take the opportunity to show off your curves? To do this, choose a dress that fastens at the front:
- either in a wrap style with a belt,
- or with buttons.
👉 If you're tying your dress with a fabric belt, don't hesitate to create a big bow 🎀 that draws attention to your slim waist and the curve of your hips!
For those with an A-shaped body: generous hips and thighs
Since your thighs and hips are wider than the upper part of your body, it would be a good idea to wear a sweater dress that contrasts this. You might want to choose a mid-length flared dress, which suggests your shape without clinging to it. If the lower part of your dress has a skater shape, meaning it flares out from the waist without hugging your legs, that’s perfect!
For an androgynous or slim athletic figure
Wearing a sweater dress with a lean physique is a perfect opportunity to suggest feminine curves in your silhouette. To achieve this, all you need to do is find dresses with voluminous details (such as lines) around your neckline and shoulders. This could include beautiful shoulder pads or a high collar. Balloon sleeves are also a great choice for this look.
You can also use colors to enhance your silhouette by choosing a form-fitting dress with horizontal coloured lines at the waist, which will accentuate your hips and waist.
What Jacket to Wear with a Sweater Dress?
To keep warm over your knit dress, you can definitely wear a jacket. However, since these types of dresses are a bit thick, I would recommend opting for subtle and minimalist coats, such as a biker jacket or a simple tone-on-tone jacket that falls at mid-thigh.
Another option is to simply wear a maxi scarf over a warm dress to keep your neck and torso warm. In this case, don't hesitate to layer multiple pieces under your sweater dress to protect yourself from chilly drafts.
What Shoes to Wear with a Sweater Dress?
Choosing the right shoes to wear with a sweater dress is quite simple! Footwear that extends slightly up your legs will always be a great choice to enhance your look, as long as they don't get lost under your dress. Here are a few styles that pair particularly well with this type of dress.
Thigh-High Boots or Boots with a Short, Fitted Sweater Dress
To give yourself a sexy vibe with a sweater dress that falls above the knees, don’t hesitate to wear boots or over-the-knee socks that match your dress or offer a subtle contrast. With light or beige styles, camel-coloured shoes will be perfect for adding a bohemian-chic touch to your look.
Sneakers or ankle boots with a midi sweater dress
For a slightly longer dress, I recommend opting for ankle boots, as they will accentuate your legs and create a lengthening effect. You can choose a pair with small, slender heels or flat soles to achieve a beautiful posture, making you look like an ambitious and determined woman.
If you're looking for a more modern outfit, you might consider opting for some high-top sneakers, or even some wedge sneakers.
Heels Paired with a Long Sweater Dress
With this type of sweater dress, heels are a must to maintain your silhouette. You can opt for pretty sandals or ankle boots. It might be best to avoid pumps, as they could come off as too formal for your dress and throw your look off balance: that would be unfortunate!
What accessory enhances a sweater dress?
The sweater dress is a fashion piece that is beautiful in its simplicity and elegance. Therefore, you should avoid overloading it: for that, choose one or two accessories that will give you a unique and stylish look!
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 nice balance and enhance your silhouette.
If you have a curvier figure, choose a wide belt (3 to 5 cm) to highlight your hips without constricting them.
A Stylish Bag to Elevate Your Outfit
Since the sweater dress is quite casual, you can opt for a nice handbag to add a chic touch to your outfit. Similar to the belt, I recommend choosing one that is the same shade as your shoes to create a cohesive look.
A small handbag with fine details is generally better suited than a large bag: it's best to avoid big, soft totes, as they may not look elegant with a sweater dress.
Long Socks
Are you looking to wear a vintage sweater dress? If so, pairing it with black knee-high socks is a great way to create a grunge style, reminiscent of the 80s and 90s and currently very trendy.
👉 To learn how to choose your knee-high socks, what accessories to pair them with, and to discover many other helpful tips on this topic, check out our dedicated guide!
Beautiful Hair Accessories
Sweater dresses are a fantastic choice for achieving a cute look when it's a bit chilly, but they do have a slight downside: if they're made of wool, they can easily build up static electricity, making your hair tricky to style.
To avoid this type of inconvenience, you can style your long or medium-length hair in a bun or ponytail to keep it out of the way. Don’t hesitate to enhance your hairstyle with beautiful accessories made of metal or fabric, to add a final touch of elegance to your outfit.
I hope this complete guide on sweater dresses has answered all your questions about them! If you still have any inquiries, feel free to leave me a comment below this article, and I would be happy to respond!
If you love fashion or are looking for unique and trendy clothing at affordable prices, feel free to check out the bohemian collections we've curated for you and that we offer on our online store! 😉