How to Style a Knit Dress?

Would you like to know how to style a sweater dress beautifully? How to choose one that enhances your figure? What jacket and shoes should you wear with it?

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 trendy every day with essential wardrobe basics such as the knit dress.

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

A knitted dress is perfect for everyday wear, at work, or for a catch-up with friends during the transitional seasons and winter. Choose one that flatters your body shape to highlight your waist, neckline, or legs, depending on your silhouette. You can pair a knitted 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, accessorise with a belt and a nice bag to complete your outfit!

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• What is the perfect time to wear a sweater dress,
• Which style to choose to flatter your figure,
• What kind of jacket to wear with a sweater dress,
• What shoes and accessories to pair with this type of dress,
• Plus heaps of tips and trendy outfit ideas featuring a sweater dress!

When and how to wear a jumper dress?

Practical and comfortable, the knitted dress is a great alternative if you're after 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 settings.

What season?

The sweater dress is perfect for the mid-season, that is, for autumn and spring, when it’s neither too cold nor too warm. When autumn arrives, you can wear it just as it is. In winter, you can still wear it, but with a jacket.

For what occasion?

Knitted dresses are perfect for wearing every day, whether you're heading 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 slightly warm and protect you from draughts, which is ideal if you need to spend time sitting still or outdoors.

With a well-done makeup look, a lovely hairstyle, and a few accessories, the knit dress can take on 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 flattering and sexy look!

👉 Knit dresses aren’t really suitable for formal evenings and events (weddings, cocktails, baptisms, receptions, etc.): in such cases, opt for fabrics that are more luxurious and cuts that are more décolletée. You can learn more about this in our comprehensive guide dedicated to evening dresses!

How to Choose the Perfect Knit Dress for Your Body Shape?

Because they are often fitted and simple in design, sweater dresses can be a fantastic way to enhance your figure. To achieve this, all you need to do is choose a style that flatters you. Let’s explore how to do it together! 😉

👉 If you have any doubts about the size when selecting your knit dress, opt for the next size up. Steer clear of overly fine knits and fabrics, as they may not be flattering, especially if you have a curvy 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 pretty much wear anything. Why not take advantage of it to show off the curves of your body? To do this, opt for a dress that buttons up at the front:

• either in a wrap style 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 the top of your body, it's a good idea to wear a knit dress that highlights this. You might choose a mid-length flared dress that suggests your curves without clinging too tightly. If the lower part 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 slender body shape is a great way to hint at feminine curves in your silhouette. To achieve this, simply look for dresses with volume details (such as lines) around your neckline and shoulders. This could include lovely shoulder pads or a high collar. Balloon sleeves are also a suitable choice for this.

You can also rely on colours to enhance your silhouette by choosing a fitted dress with horizontal coloured lines at the waist, which will highlight your hips and waist.

What jacket should I wear with a sweater dress?

To keep warm over your knit dress, you can certainly wear a jacket. However, since these dress styles are a bit thick, I recommend opting for subtle and minimalist coats, such as a biker jacket or a simple tonal jacket that reaches 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 sweater dress to shield yourself from chilly drafts.

What Shoes to Wear with a Knit Dress?

Choosing shoes to wear with a sweater dress is quite simple! Shoes that rise 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 ankle boots with a fitted mini dress

To add a sexy touch with a knit dress that falls above the knees, don’t hesitate to wear boots or over-the-knee boots that match your dress or are in a slight contrast. With lighter or beige styles, camel-coloured shoes will be perfect for giving your look a chic bohemian vibe.

Sneakers or ankle boots with a midi knitted dress

For a slightly longer dress, I recommend opting for ankle boots, as they will enhance your legs and make them appear longer. You can choose a style with small, slim heels or flat heels to create a lovely posture that will give you the impression of an ambitious and determined woman.

If you're looking for a slightly more modern outfit, you might consider wearing high-top sneakers, or even wedge sneakers.

Heels with a Long Sweater Dress

With this type of sweater dress, wearing heels is a must to avoid flattening your silhouette. You can opt for pretty sandals or ankle boots. It might be best to steer clear of stilettos, as they could look a bit too formal for your dress and throw off your overall look: that would be a shame!

What accessory pairs best with a knitted dress?

The sweater dress is a fashion piece that is beautiful in its simplicity and elegance. It’s important not to overload it with too many elements: to achieve this, 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 a great option. Choose one that matches your shoes, especially if they are leather: this will create a lovely balance and enhance your silhouette.

If you're a bit curvy, go for a wide belt (3 to 5 cm), as this will highlight your hips without constricting you.

A sophisticated bag to elevate your outfit

As the sweater dress is quite casual, you might like to choose a nice handbag to add a touch of chic to your outfit. Similar to the belt, I recommend selecting one in 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 steer clear of oversized, soft tote bags, which may not look particularly stylish with a dressy jumper.

Long Socks

Are you keen to wear a vintage sweater dress? If so, pairing it with some black knee-high socks will be perfect for creating 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 to discover plenty of other tips on the subject, check out our dedicated guide!

Lovely Hair Accessories

Sweater dresses are a fantastic option for achieving a cute look when it's a bit chilly, but they do have one minor downside: if they're made of wool, they can easily become statically charged, making your hair difficult to style.

To avoid this kind of hassle, you can style your long or medium-length hair into a bun or ponytail to keep it off your face. Don’t hesitate to adorn your hairstyle with pretty 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 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 clothing at affordable prices, don't hesitate to check out the bohemian collections we’ve curated for you on our online store! 😉

Bohemian Long Dress