Looking for cute outfits with sweaters? You’ve come to the right place! We’re sharing our favorite sweater outfits for every occasion along with 50+ inspiration photos.
A few months from now, sweater weather will fall among us once again, giving us a yearly opportunity to wear the coziest sweaters and curate fun layers that we’ve been waiting all year round to do.
Many people say that late fall and winter are the most unflattering seasons for fashion. No sundresses, bikinis, crop tops, or strappy tank tops can survive the cool and chilly breeze that lasts from sun up to sun down. But we know there is more to expect and embrace from the cold season. It’s time to bring out the soft knits, cozy oversized cotton sweaters, chunky cardigans, sweater dresses, and more!
There are countless ways to style sweaters, knits, and sweatshirts and we’re here to show you how many outfits few sweaters can make. What makes them so versatile is the fact that you can wear them on their own, use them as an accent, or wear them as a staple piece for a layered fit.
Ready for sweater weather? Let’s hop in!
How To Style A Sweater
Here are some of our favorite ways to style a sweater and sweater outfit combinations.
8. Layer with a button-down
Although wearing a button-down underneath a sweater is not new, it’s not something you could consider “off-trend.” In fact, this ensemble still sees the light of day on aesthetic social media platforms including Pinterest and Instagram.
This style was once considered preppy but takes on many different modern styles including Dark Academia. The best kind of sweater for this combo is an oversized knit or an oversized cotton sweatshirt. A long-sleeved button-down is ideal for adding an accent to your wrists, but a short-sleeved blouse will do if that’s more of your personal preference.
This is one of the classic cute outfits with sweaters for a reason!
7. Wear fitted jeans or tights
Oversized sweaters and sweater dresses are best paired with no other than fitted jeans, pants, and/or tights. This allows your outfit to be proportionate and balanced. The tight silhouette of fitted bottoms can make an illusion of longer, elongated legs. The simplicity also allows your upper garments to shine without looking too overdressed.
For vibrant sweater outfits and brighter coats, I would advise wearing black colored pants. Khakis are great, but many of the skinny types don’t work well as they can make your legs look bare naked. To add sophistication to your look, you can opt for knee-high boots.
6. Break the norm: Wear an oversized fit
All norms aside, a sweater looks great even when paired with oversized cargo pants, for instance. It may not be as flattering to the body, but a layered fit by a trained eye can look like something you’d see in New York street style magazines. To add a feminine touch to the fit, you could turn your oversized sweater into a crop top and show off subtly exposed skin.
5. Wear a two-piece sweater set
When in doubt, wear a matching piece! Two-piece sweater sets are best for lounging at home or for WFH setups. They make everything cozy and stylish at the same time. They can also be great for short daily errands or for coffee trips.
Sweater sets come in ribbed types, cropped types, and flared bottom types. Personally, I prefer collared ribbed sweaters and flared bottoms!
4. Wear a sweater dress
A sweater dress is an ultimate fall staple. When I’m not up for a layered fit, I make it simple with a cable knit sweater dress, thermal leggings, and ankle boots. They’re clean, crisp, and simple, but they give enough comfort to keep you snug outside.
Sweater dresses come in belted types, turtlenecks, fitted, and oversized. ‘Oversized types’ tend to look like oversized sweaters but are intentionally made as a dress. One of many celebrities who popularized this trend is Ariana Grande.
3. Layer your sweater with an external jacket
When it’s time to layer, you give all you’ve got! The coldest of the seasons can be tough to manage. Let alone the evenings that drop so low you could hardly get outside. But instead of loathing, layer it with the best pieces you’ve got: a button-down, a knit sweater, a tailored blazer, a coat, and/or a leather jacket. Layering is an art form that you won’t regret learning. Surprise yourself!
2. Wear your sweater with a midi skirt
Wearing your sweater with a midi skirt is the best way to emulate Parisian fashion. By far, this is also the most feminine and chic way to style an oversized sweater during the cold season.
Unlike straightforward sweater dresses, a flowy midi skirt can add contrast and movement to your outfit. It’s definitely an ensemble to keep in mind, especially in the fall season.
1. Wear your sweater with a hoodie
Another ice-breaking way to style your sweater is by layering it over a hoodie. This emulates a street style, similar to wearing an equally oversized fit. To give the hoodie some limelight, opt for a button-type sweater.
Types of sweaters to have
Looking to have an array of sweaters in your closet? Here are the must-have types of sweaters for every outfit.
Cardigan Sweater
The invention of the cardigan was thanks to the 7th Earl of Cardigan, who demanded a pullover that did not have to go over his head and disturb his perfect locks.
A cardigan sweater is one of the best sweater investments you can make. They are versatile, chic, and wearable even in warm seasons. The ones made with thinner materials can be used as a bikini cover-up or a jacket for outfits with an exposed back. This can keep you from chills any time of the year. I love wearing mine with a dress!
Tunic Sweater
One of my favorite types of sweaters is the cozy tunic sweater. Tunic sweaters are built slightly oversized and hang over the waist. They look almost like sweater dresses, but they’re often not long enough to be worn as one. If you don’t like to wear them with pants (or if the season still permits), you can wear them with biker shorts and visually cut them along the waist with a leather belt bag. In colder months, you can wear them with thermal tights and a pair of knee-high boots for a sophisticated look.
Cotton Sweatshirt
Like the cardigan, a cotton sweatshirt is very common. Although it is described as such, cotton sweatshirts have more to offer than a typical lounge shirt depending on how you style them. Some wear it with a midi skirt, some wear it with biker shorts (à la Princess Diana), and some even wear it with a tailored coat. Cotton sweatshirts don’t always have to be sloppy!
Turtleneck Sweater
Turtleneck sweaters are the easiest types to identify. If the sweater has a high collar, then it most probably is one. Certain types, like the mock turtleneck sweater, have a lower and shorter turtleneck that exposes a bit of the neck’s skin. My favorite way of styling a white basic turtleneck sweater is by layering a sweater over it and pairing it with a short skirt. It gives the Preppy Academian feel that’s fitting for winter or fall months. Another style I love is simply putting on a pleated skirt and wearing a long coat over it. The perfect chic fall outfit!
If you’re looking to put together lots of cute outfits with sweaters during the colder month, consider getting a bunch of high-quality turtlenecks in various colors. I recommend shopping at Nordstrom.
Boyfriend Sweater
A boyfriend sweater is almost anything that is excessively oversized and comes in a shapeless pattern. Some of them have zips and some of them are simply big versions of cotton sweatshirts. They can be a great staple — regardless if you took it from an S.O. or bought it intentionally for yourself. If it comes down to your knees, you can transform it into a dress. I love wearing mine with a collared button-down!
Sweater Vests
Sweater vests are sweaters without sleeves. They’re made with similar materials as actual sweaters, such as wool and cotton. Similarly, they are also used for practical thermal purposes which is why they are considered “sweaters.”
Sweater vests are commonly worn with a shirt, blouse, or button-down underneath, but several trends today suggest that a vest can be worn as an actual shirt during the warm months. Just pick the ones made with non-itchy material, like cotton yarn, for the best experience.
Related: 30+ Outfits With Vests To Copy
55+ Outfits With Sweaters For Every Occasion & Style
Here are some of our favorite outfits with sweaters to emulate. Enjoy!
Nothing can beat a minimal ensemble like this button-down sweater and tailored grey shorts. Something I’d wear both for a work day at home and for a quick cafe run! This is one of my favorite comfy and cute outfits with sweaters for the warmer months.
This is how you rock a sweater, a La Garconne style! A white button-down, a cotton/wool sweater, khakis, and a pair of chunky-soled boots. A little gold jewelry is the best way to add finishing touches!
A chunky knit sweater is one of the coziest sweaters you can own. Plus, you can put them on any outfit seamlessly! This is one of my favorite cute outfits with sweaters for a fall day out in the city.
This outfit is a crisp and chic ensemble to emulate the Parisian style. A knitted turtleneck, a belted blazer, trousers, and a pair of boots are perfect for walking the cobbled stone streets of Paris.
Wearing a sweater doesn’t always have to look masculine. Here’s one way to spice it up with a flowy maxi dress. Modest and classy!
Unsure how to add layers to your outfit? Adding different hues of one color for each piece can elevate your fit without the extra fuss.
One sweater is not enough! Look how she transformed her extra sweater into an accent. It also adds contrast to the sweater she’s wearing. Witty!
A chic way of adding shape and form to your outfit with a sweater is by wearing them cropped. A visual cut in the middle can make a cinched waist effect that can elongate your legs. This is one of our favorite cute outfits with sweaters for work.
One of the classic, chic and timeless ways of dressing up sweater outfits is by tucking the sweater under a mini skirt and wearing knee-high boots. Definitely a great fall fit for date night!
A matching sporty ensemble can take you places. You can move freely, lounge comfortably, and skip around town in these. Pair them with Nike Jordans and you’re good to go!
Looking for dark academia sweater outfits? This outfit is perfect for browsing in Indie bookstores and going out for coffee during a cozy, fall afternoon. I love how the cream sweater, beige sweater, and brown mini skirt harmonized with each other.
If you’re going monochrome for the day, a great way to spice it up is by adding a bold print like this. Even without color, the sweater is pretty much noticeable.
A plain sweater dress can be styled in limitless ways. You just have to be creative with it! Try it with a belt to cinch the waist, a coat to add warmth and layer to the outfit, and a pair of matching knee-high boots.
Another day, another chance to layer! I love how subversive this style is, from the button-down to the cable knit vest, to the striped blazer, and to the chunky boots with little pockets.
Sweater cardigans are not just for lounging or for covering up dresses. Make a classy tailored look out of a sweater cardigan by tucking them in a pair of trousers and accessorizing the outfit with a luxury silk scarf.
If there’s one fashionable thing that the endless quarantines contributed to during the pandemic, it’s the matching knit sweatsuit. Work and lounge with this fit at home and you’ll see why it’s all over the internet!
Over turtlenecks? This collared sweater is perfect for inverted triangle body types. The deep V creates an illusion that redirects the eyes to the lower body.
If you’re aiming for a petite, feminine, and cozy look, you should definitely try Ariana Grande’s iconic look – consisting of an oversized sweater dress, knee-high boots, and ring accessories.
A sweater dress is a completely different piece when it’s belted! This one looks absolutely classy with a longsleeved white button-down and tidy white knee-high boots.
Here’s a funky and vibrant sweater fit to wear to an afternoon picnic or a brunch cocktail session with the girls. I love how energetic this shade of pink looks!
Sage green is one of my favorite muted colors to wear. I love how she creatively styled her sage sweater with a leopard-printed coat!
Some sweater dresses are built with a cinched waist like this. A dress like this is easier to style – just put on your boots and pick a purse to go with. You can add waist jewelry for a nice finishing accent.
Since Princess Diana’s first appearance with this ensemble, I am quite sure that this style is not going anywhere in the next years ahead. See how she modernized the look with black canvas shoes instead of sports shoes.
And here’s the classic look! Princess Diana has recycled this look so many times with different colored biker shorts and varieties of sweaters. Nothing can do it quite naturally and seamlessly like her.
Pull up to brunch with your best friend in complimenting color-blocked outfits! I love how they made a simple blue knit sweater with dressy midi skirts and colored heels.
A great way to style your boyfriend’s knit sweater is by wearing tights and boots with them. Subtly sexy, classy, and cozy.
A fun way to wear an oversized button-less sweater is by turning it into a Kimono! A pretty leather belt bag can help complete the look.
Another way to spice up your sweater outfit is by wearing a belt over your external coat/jacket! It cinches the waist and binds all the layers you have on.
I love how the beige matches the yellow tint of her checkered midi dress and boots. So vibrant, sunny, and sophisticated!
Not cold enough outside yet? You can wear your sweater vest as a top like this one.
A hipster way to style your basic white sweater is by wearing them under overalls paired with classic canvas shoes.
Still not sure how to style your cropped sweater vest? Wear it under a loose button-down! It’s classic but new, new but classic.
Two is better than one. See how she styled her monochrome sweater with a vibrant-colored sweater vest. It serves its purpose and it’s stylish too!
Pair it with jeans – it’s really just that simple. I love how sporty (but not sluggish) she looks with her cotton sweater, high-waisted jeans, and white sports sneakers.
This is a great way to style coastal grandmother clothing in the colder months!
A cropped sweater, a pleated mini skirt, a baguette bag, and a pair of knee-high boots is a fabulous way to recreate the clique girl look!
The sweater cardigan over the overalls makes a chic next-door girl look! Love the rings too.
Who says you can’t wear your cardigan as a full sweater? This is one of the most chic outfits with sweaters for just about any occasion. I recommend shopping on Chicwish for these types of cardigan sweaters.
I love how she combined two contrasting hues of pink in this outfit! This is one of the peppiest outfits with sweaters I’ve ever seen, but you can easily switch up this outfit and go with any color you’d like.
An overly chunky knit sweater is a great way to finish off a fitted ensemble.
This oversized sweater tunic vest looks absolutely divine as a dress! The lacey stockings make a pretty touch as well. This is one of my favorite oversized outfits with sweaters by far.
Simple as this outfit may look, the colors are evidently well thought out!
An outfit for the country girl inside of you. I love how relaxed, stylish, and carefree this outfit looks!
Not quite sure about the weather? Looking for more upscale sweater outfits? Here’s a stylish way to make your emergency jacket an accent to your outfit.
This is how you look stylish, classy, and feminine in the middle of fall. Heels are welcome! This is one of the best sweater outfits for just about any weather.
One of the best outfits to stay in with or grab some coffee with! I love how modest this version of two-piece looks! This is one of the most chic outfits with sweaters for a monochrome look.
White boots can never fail you! See how preppy this one looks with this outfit. This is one of the edgier sweater outfits that’s perfect for a day in the city.
Looking for cozy, everyday outfits with sweaters? This one looks like a modern and crisp version of Princess Diana’s iconic biker fit!
During the cold months, layering is your best friend. I love every detail about this outfit! If you’re looking for layered outfits with sweaters, consider this look in any monochrome color.
Not a fan of color-blocking? Looking for cozy sweater outfits that are still super chic? Put your sweater vest into the limelight by pairing it with an all-black ensemble underneath.
Looking for chic outfits with sweaters that take the look up a level? As you might have noticed, this midi skirt is all over the internet! For some reason, it just pairs well with a cozy knit sweater.
Kendall is rocking this hippie (but not overdressed) outfit with a vintage printed sweater vest. Love how she pulled this one off!
A cozy cotton sweater with bubbly sleeves? Count me in! This is one of my favorite cute outfits with sweaters for a casual day out on the town.
A black sweater, a silk midi skirt, and chunky boots. This outfit is undoubtedly for walking the streets of Paris!
A great way to avoid looking overdressed with a bulky sweater is by wearing a pair of backless loafers. They turn your outfit into a calm and relaxed look without having to expose your whole feet. This is one of our favorite chic sweater outfits for all seasons!
Our Must-Have Sweaters
Waffle Stitch Sweater | Everlane
Ribbed Cut out Sweater | Nordstrom
Cropped Mohair Cardigan | Nordstrom
Mock Rib Tunic Sweater | Nordstrom
Hopefully, this post helped you figure out how to style a sweater! Enjoy your sweater outfits during the colder months and don’t forget: when in doubt, go neutral!