In Florida, “sweater weather” means something different than it does in the rest of the world. Once the temperature hits 60 degrees, I pull out my cozy clothes. The weather is pretty hot right now, so I sadly won’t have an opportunity to wear a sweater for a long time and have been sticking to loungewear, mainly sleeveless and short-sleeved options. But if you’re located elsewhere and are still dealing with cold weather, I’m sharing cute ways to wear a sweater. I sometimes struggle to style the sweaters in my closet, so I’ve curated some ideas that will make it easier to plan outfits.
It’s hard for me to pin down my style. I feel like it ranges from preppy to indie to a little bit edgy, depending on the day. My closet is full of Lilly Pulitzer, but I also love wearing black dresses and am down to try any retailer. Even though we have chilly weather for approximately 30 seconds in Florida, I still have dozens of sweaters in my closet. I’m a huge fan of bold colors, but one of my go-to’s is a black oversized sweater from American Eagle. The great thing about sweaters is that you can make always make them work, no matter your normal look.
Cute Ways To Wear A Sweater
How do you choose the right-fitting sweater for an outfit? It all depends on the style. A loose sweater might look best over a skirt or boyfriend jeans, while a fitted sweater sometimes looks good with skinny jeans or leggings. Once you figure out which sweater style is right for you, it’s easier to determine what will fit you well and make you feel most comfortable. You can style sweaters with scarves, hats, and bags, and statement jewelry also adds a fun twist.
1. Thigh High Boots
I stayed away from thigh-high boots for a long time, mainly because I was afraid they’d make my legs look stubby. The opposite ended up being true — they make me look a lot taller than I am! While the boots make enough of a statement, pairing them with a solid oversized sweater makes it an entire look. Shoes: DSW (sold out, linking a similar style), $48. Sweater: American Eagle (sold out, linking a similar style), $42.
2. Layered With A Coat
I don’t usually have a chance to layer sweaters and coats (thank you, Florida)! When I visited Philadelphia two years ago, I took advantage of the weather and wore a bright coat over an oversized sweater. I made sure that I cuffed it over the coat for a more polished look and matched a hair scarf to make my outfit feel a bit more cohesive. I tend to button up my coat when it’s cold outside, but I’ll sometimes sacrifice some warmth for the sake of what I’m wearing! Sweater: Amazon.
3. Tucked Into Pants
I was extremely stressed about what to pack when we visited Paris. I knew it’d be chilly, but I was also obsessed with the idea of looking chic. Once I got to Paris, I realized that literally no one cared what I was wearing. Still, I’m glad that it gave me a chance to try a more sophisticated style than usual. Tucking a loose sweater into wide-leg pants became my go-to during our France trip, and it’s one I’ve worn a lot of times since. Sweater: Lilly Pulitzer, (sold out, linking a similar style), $138,
4. Sweater Layered Over Dress
If you’ve followed me for a long time, you know that I’m a total dress gal and don’t wear pants frequently. If I want to style a short dress during the winter, I throw a sweater over it. I love that you can make this work during warm seasons as well — all you need is a lightweight sweater and a breezy dress, and layering your sweater becomes easy.
Cute Sweater Outfit Ideas
While I love sharing outfits that I’ve personally worn with you guys, I don’t want to limit this blog post to just me. Here are a few sweater outfits I’ve seen online that I think you’ll really like! I’ll be updating this post as I think of new ideas, so make sure you check back so you don’t miss anything.
1. Wide Leg Pants
I’ve shared before that I stayed away from wide-leg pants for a long time because I worried they didn’t flatter my figure. Now that I don’t really care whether clothing is “flattering,” I have so many more options, including this cute combo from ASOS. I love the look of baggy trousers with a cropped sweater. You could also dress it up and wear a similar combo to school or a casual workplace. Grey Sweater linked here.
2. Skinny Jeans
This is probably the most simple suggestion in this post, but I’m a sucker for the basics. Even though Gen Z supposedly says skinny jeans aren’t cool anymore, I’ll never get rid of mine. Whether you have an oversized sweater or a more fitted cut, you can wear them with skinny jeans without a problem. I’m a sucker for a good bobble sweater, so this outfit idea from LOFT immediately became a favorite for me. Linked a similar sweater.
3. Paired With Shorts
It may feel counterintuitive, given that we typically bundle up in sweaters when it’s chilly outside, but a sweater tucked into shorts is a fun look that feels like effortless street style. This look would go well with a chunky sweater, too — and you can even add denim shorts if you really want to change it up. Linked a similiar style!
4. Ankle Boots
I’ve always felt like ankle boots make any outfit look badass. Add in a sweater, and you’ve got a grungy outfit that’s also pretty comfortable — no need for high heels here. You can wear ankle boots when it’s cold, but I get good use out of mine even during Florida summers. And if it’s what it takes, there’s nothing wrong with sweating for the perfect look.
5. Faux Leather Leggings
I was wary of buying my first pair of faux leather leggings because leather pants didn’t sound particularly comfortable, especially at Spanx’s price point. I was swayed by all the positive reviews I read from friends and bloggers I admired, and after purchasing them myself, I’m definitely a believer. These are surprisingly breathable, and tucking a sweater into a pair elevates your outfit and makes these leggings appropriate for a nice dinner or a night on the town. Spanx, $98.
6. Make It Easy
If you’re overwhelmed with styling options, go for a sweater dress. This is one of the most versatile options, and I also feel like it’s one of the most stylish. You can wear a sweater dress under a blazer, over tights, with sneakers, with high heels — truly, your options are nearly endless. It’s also a great option if you’re dealing with warmer weather and want a sweater that won’t have you sweating while you’re outside. Linked an Amazon sweater dress that is similar.
I wanted to wrap up by sharing some of my favorite retailers for sweaters. Obviously, most stores have them in stock, but not all sweaters are created equal. Some of my top places to shop, especially if you’re plus-sized, are listed below. I’ve tried to include a range of prices to make sure there are affordable options.
As I said, I’ll be updating this post as I come up with more ideas — but which option is your favorite so far? Let me know in the comments, and I’d love to hear how you’re wearing sweaters right now, and if there’s anything I missed, share it with me so I can include it!