15 Cozy Sweater Dress Outfits to Up Your Style Game

Posted by Almeda Bohannan on Friday, May 3, 2024

Compared to naked dresses and brackets, sweater dresses can sound rather tame. However, with the right color, fabric, and fit — not to mention styling tricks — this cozy knit can rival even the most attention-grabbing looks. It's no wonder, then, that sweater dress outfits are having a major moment, adorned by models on fashion runways and street style stars from New York to Tokyo.

Sweater dresses are essentially an outfit in and of themselves, which is what makes them so appealing. As a wardrobe basic, they're incredibly versatile, especially when accessorized. In effect, sweater dresses have become one of our cold-weather outfit go-tos regardless of where we're headed. Perhaps the best part is that styling this garment involves minimal effort but comes with major payoff. To prove it, we've rounded up 15 ways to wear sweater dresses that are simply too good to resist.

Keep scrolling for our favorite sweater dress outfits to try this season, along with styling tips.

Invest in a Set

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You've heard of denim-on-denim, but what about sweater-on-sweater? Here, a simple sweater dress meets its match (quite literally) in a decorative sweater of the same color family. Hang it just off of your shoulders to reach instant It Girl status and earn our InStyle stamp of approval. Then again, we'll get behind almost any monochromatic moment — especially purple.

Go Full-On Jellyfish

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Trench coats, shackets, and utility jackets are all outerwear staples, but if you're looking to make a statement with your sweater dress, layer on an oversized puffer jacket — and hold the pants; your jellyfish moment has officially arrived.

Experiment with Fun Tights

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Wintry outfits that keep you warm don't have to be bulky (unless you want them to). Consider wearing a sweater dress over a long-sleeved shirt with a pair of breathable tights — and don't be afraid to experiment with color and pattern. After all, pantyhose might feel traditional, but it doesn't have to look the part.

Add a Corset

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Cozy and corsets might sound like they go together, but this sweater dress outfit proves that they most definitely do. To counter the bulkiness of an oversized sweater and flatter your figure, simply cinch your waist with a corset or corset belt.

Embrace Bold Colors

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Hop on the trending red bandwagon and reach for a sweater dress in the fiery shade. If you're not one for accessories, no matter. This outfit is a ready-made look. Just throw it on and go.

Try a Lampshade Look

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Have any oversized sweaters that hit just above the knee? Give lampshading a shot. The pantless trend was first embraced by Ariana Grande before other celebs caught on and is a great way to upcycle an item already sitting in your closet. Simply pair the oversized top with knee-high boots and accessorize how you see fit.

Surprise with a Skirt

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An oversized black sweater dress can serve as an LBD on its own. But layer it over a statement skirt — like this blue tulle confection — for an ensemble that is fresh and unexpected.

Cinch with a Belt

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Some sweater dresses are form-fitting, but most are loose and roomy. Clasp a belt around your waist to ensure you won't get lost under all that bulk, and be strategic about where you place the accessory since it will influence your overall look.

Add a Sporty Spin

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Sweater dresses are inherently cozy, but throw on a moto jacket and sneakers, and you've got an off-duty outfit fit for an athlete — and a fashionable one at that.

Focus on Your Footwear

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Take your sweater dress outfit to the next level, and slip on some statement footwear. These thigh-high boots are a head-turner and pop against a solid white knit. It's classic and commanding.

Go Sleeveless

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Grandpa-style sweater vests have been peppered throughout celebrity wardrobes lately, which makes sweater vest dresses the trend's next natural evolutionary step. To nail the look, layer an oversized sweater vest over a long-sleeved button-down or turtleneck. Pair with heels or chunky combat boots, depending on the vibe you're going for.

Layer with a Leather Jacket

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Leather is one of those multifaceted materials you can pretty much pair with anything. Still, it looks especially good layered over a fuzzy knit. A vintage-style leather trench over a longer sweater dress is the kind of classic fashion pairing that makes our hearts flutter. Converse sneakers add a modern touch.

Color Coordinate Your Accessories

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Instead of matching your accessories to your sweater dress, choose a separate color scheme to add a bit of contrast — like metallics, perhaps? Coordinating your footwear with your hair accessories, jewelry, and handbag adds accents in all the right places and lends a cohesive feel.

Show a Little Skin

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If you're feeling a bit daring, be on the lookout for sweater dresses with sexy slits and eye-catching cutouts. Holes are the new polka dots after all, and the center slit of this beige tunic is a lesson in the art of seduction, albeit subtle.

Finish with Statement Sneakers

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Create the unexpected when you pair your matching sweater dress and scarf accessory with sneakers and crew neck socks. It's stylish, sporty, and so on-trend.

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