HOW TO STYLE ANY SWEATER: CLASSIC, OVERSIZED, AND VEST

Nothing says comfort like cozying up by the fire with a good book and a cable-knit to keep you warm. This cold-weather favorite is as fashionable as it is functional. 

While the convention of the past was to pair roomier sweaters with tight bottoms and fitted sweaters with looser pants, today’s sweater-wearers take more liberties with mixing and matching. There’s no rule saying an oversized sweater can’t be matched with a pair of wide-legged jeans. Likewise, pairing a fitted cropped sweater with a straight silk skirt is not just acceptable—it’s encouraged. Learning how to style sweaters for a real impact makes for the perfect opportunity to flex a little fearless creativity.

HOW TO STYLE A CLASSIC SWEATER

What began as the uniform of New England fishermen is now as common on the streets of Nantucket Island as it is on the sea, thanks to the classic sweater’s ability to protect against a cold ocean breeze. Fitted cable-knit sweaters are an easy way to highlight the figure and create a polished look. 

Here are some tips for what to wear with a sweater:

Add statement accessories

When styled correctly, scarves, jewelry, and sunglasses enhance classic sweaters. Pairing a knit sweater with trousers, loafers, and a square gold watch tells a story of timelessness, while a simple cashmere sweater worn with fine jewelry displays refined glamour.

Wear a silk scarf for a touch of color and elegance. To make a statement that’s impossible to ignore, style fine cashmere with a bright headscarf and bold sunglasses. 

Style with a complementary coat

Coats complement classic sweater styles beautifully, no matter the shape. Wear the coat open to allow a crewneck or V-neck sweater to shine. Let a turtleneck or mock neck peek out from beneath a closed coat for a distinguished look. A black turtleneck and black wool cashmere coat make a chic, sophisticated pairing, while a boldly colored sweater creates a striking look.

Matching cardigan and trousers

For a sleek, feminine silhouette, couple a cropped cardigan with trousers in the same color family. Choose neutral-tone cardigans and matching trousers to draw attention to accessories or handbags, and complete the outfit with a pair of black or brown loafers with a matching shoulder bag.  

HOW TO STYLE AN OVERSIZED SWEATER

The perfect mix of comfort and style, oversized sweaters layer easily with skinny jeans, wide-legged pants, skirts, or dresses. Create looks that are both unique and stylish by contrasting color, texture, and materials. 

Here are three tips to style an oversized sweater:

Experiment with texture

For an extra touch of playfulness, a Loewe anagram embroidered mohair sweater embraces texture and is fun to style. Look for a mohair sweaters in bright yellow, orange, blue, or green with bright blue jeans or bold orange pants, completing the outfit with a vibrant calfskin hobo bag.

Play with color

Playing with color is a great way to make a sweater more stylish and brighten up the dull gray of winter. Make an impact by contrasting bold statement colors, or go for a cohesive but vibrant monochromatic look.

Green, one of fashion's most beloved colors, comes in a spectrum of shades, from bright chartreuse to near-black forest. For an olive outfit ripe for the picking, pair a deep green turtleneck with a matching paisley tiered midi skirt. Top off the look with a brown handbag, kitten heels, and gold statement jewelry.

Style with a maxi dress

Summer’s maxi dresses become all-season favorites when styled with an oversized sweater and boots. Chunky knits hide insulating underlayers and create stylish, put-together outfits. Brighten the look up with bold contrasting colors, or try a more uniform ensemble by layering the same hue in different textures.

Dark sweaters paired with dark dresses convey a feeling of chic solemnity. For a jet-black pairing, wear an Eileen Fisher organic cotton cashmere sweater with a long black maxi dress from Johnny Was. Finish the look with a structured handbag, chunky black heels, and metallic jewelry.  

HOW TO STYLE A SWEATER VEST

In a nostalgic nod to the '90s, sweater vests have returned. Cozy and versatile, sleeveless sweaters can be worn on their own, styled for a classic preppy look, or reinvented with new trends. 

Layer over a T-shirt 

Wearing a sweater vest over a T-shirt is the perfect homage to the ’90s. For a neutral-colored sweater vest that goes nicely with a white tee, choose a Maison Margiela botanically dyed alpaca vest, which works well with natural-hued accessories and earth-toned trousers. Classic blue jeans, ecru pants, or statement-colored bottoms are all suitable options for a sweater vest and tee, and all can be paired with sneakers, boots, or heels to match your style. 

Less is more 

Don't be afraid to wear a vest on its own and style it with accessories for the perfect knitted sweater outfit. For a sweater vest rich in color and texture, go for a striped cashmere vest by Chloé, then complete the look with cream-colored pants, clogs, sunglasses, and a matching pouch.

Paired with pearls 

Sweater vests and short pearl necklaces make an unusual yet undeniably impactful pairing. No matter if your sweater vest is neutral or colorful, a single set of classic pearls or a complementary stack of pearl and gold necklaces will look divine. Choose from eye-catching large freshwater pearls or a delicate, understated strand.

Layer over a button-down

Forget the typical white collared shirt in favor of a colored button-down and pant combo to show off your distinguished sense of style. For a blue-inspired look, pair wide-leg Versace jeans and a blue button-down shirt from THE ROW with a rich wool sweater vest.

Above all, be fearless

Sweaters can elevate an outfit and show the world your personality, so don’t be afraid to experiment with shape, color, and texture. 

Book a one-on-one in-store or virtual appointment with a Neiman Marcus style advisor for bespoke styling tips and advice on how to style sweaters in a way that suits your taste and personality.