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Sweater Dressing

The great thing about fall is that you can never have too many sweaters! That’s an exaggeration, of course, but having a plentiful lineup of knitwear for those chillier days is always a good idea. You may feel a bit limited in how to style your sweaters this season. Pullovers, in particular, may start to feel a bit staid by the middle of winter; however, there are so many interesting options for sweater-dressing that go well beyond your standard turtleneck sweater with jeans and boots. Here are some versatile sweater styling tricks to keep in mind this season.

First, as chilly mornings give way to pleasant afternoons, consider tying a basic sweater around your shoulders. The knit you needed to wear to combat the cold at the start of the day can become a stylish accessory by day’s end. Whether it’s layered over a blazer, long-sleeve tee, or another sweater, throwing a chunky knit around your shoulders can make any outfit appear more thoughtful while adding visual interest to more basic looks.

Next, try swapping out your standard cardigan for a more dramatic duster, or sweater coat. These longer pieces pull double duty, as they can be worn like an open-front cardigan, but also provide a bit more warmth like a jacket. Personally, I like to wear a sweater coat, aka coatigan, in lieu of a blazer, especially once the daily lows get below freezing. I find it makes me feel a bit cozier, especially at work, and they look great with casual outfits like jeans and t-shirts, as well as over more formal pieces like dresses.

If you’re looking to add a bit of vim and vigor to your sweater collection, consider patterned knitwear in a novelty pattern, like animal print or chevron. Having one or two standout sweaters this season will help elevate monochromatic pieces like black leggings. With more classic prints like houndstooth and fair isle, try switching up how you’d normally style these staples. Swap out the jeans for corduroys, or wear these knits with a suit instead of a blouse. On the flip side, if you’re looking to bring disparately printed pieces together, like a striped shirt and a floral skirt, having a solid V-neck pullover can bridge the patterned gap between contrasting garments and create a more cohesive look.

For those of you averse to prints and patterns, you can still up your sweater game for the fall and winter with sweater tops, half-sleeved, or short-sleeved knits. Worn on its own, a woven top is a great alternative to a t-shirt as we head toward the colder months. It can also work as a mid-layering piece under jackets and blazers. Sweater tops also pair quite well with skirts of all lengths. I recommend playing with proportions with short-sleeved sweaters and skirt combos. For miniskirts, go with a boxy top. With knee-length skirts, you’ll want a fitted or cropped knit, especially if the skirt is high-waisted. For midi and maxis, go with leaner and longer sweater tops. And don’t think you can’t double down with a cardigan or coatigan to complete your look.

If you find yourself wearing the same sweaters and twin sets over and over again, here are a few fun ways to break the monotony. For sweater sets, try breaking them up. Wear the shell under a button-up — Layer the cardigan with a printed blouse. For oversized or tunic sweaters, switch up your silhouette with a statement belt to show off your shape. Throw on a chunky chain necklace with your favorite chunky knit for some outside-of-the-dressing-box style. I also love pairing sweaters with dressier pieces like sequins skirts, or sateen culottes for an interesting take on cocktail attire.

Finally, as we approach the holiday season and holiday feasting, instead of opting for baggier apparel, try a wrap sweater. With the adjustable ties, you can cinch or loosen this piece to accommodate that second helping of pumpkin pie, while still dressing up a bit. Try a wrap-style sweater in a celebratory-themed hue, like burgundy or deep green, with black (stretchy) pants, for a festive and stylish look.

For those of you who need to stock up on knitwear for fall and the coming winter, start browsing the sweater sections at stores like Target, Kohl’s, Maurice’s, and Old Navy. Online, check out Uniqlo and Landsend. Both feature basic knitwear and printed sweaters, for some high-quality coatigan options search Boden’s and WoolOvers. As we settle into the long season that is sweater weather, be sure to take care of your knitwear by reading the care instructions and letting them air out before putting them back in the drawer after wearing. Hopefully, your sweaters will not only keep you warm this winter but also keep you stylish.

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