Yesterday morning, much to my chagrin, I was suddenly jolted into the realities of soon-coming Canadian winter by the first snowfall; scraping frost from the car windows, shoveling and salting the sidewalks, getting dressed in a spacesuit every time you go outside and the 24/7 bitter cold feeling. And while I could go on and on about all the things I hate about winter, I’d rather talk about the things I like (for my own sanity, as I prepare to face our modern-day ice age); icicles, snow-days, Christmas, thick books and of course, sweater weather.
Sweaters come in all different shapes, sizes, patterns, colors, and textures. While I had considered styling as many different sweater types as I could find, I figured it would be easier (and all in all more useful) to boil it down to a few simple tips which can be applied to any sweater in your own wardrobe.
LAYER UP
The main point to remember when styling your sweaters is to layer up, adding more elements of variety to the outfit, rather than the sometimes boring appearance that sweaters can give on their own. Add a collar with a crewneck or v-neck sweater, or wear a thin turtleneck under a cardigan or quarter zip. If you have a thinner sweater, you can even wear it as a top under a sweater vest.
ADD CONTRAST
Mix up the silhouette of your look! If you have a casual hoodie, try pairing it with a slip skirt or over a dress. If you have an elegant cashmere or silky cardigan, try with baggy jeans or even sweatpants for that “effortlessly chic” look. This is the perfect way to dress up or dress down a sweater, making them perfect for any occasion from grocery shopping to holiday parties. Think about mixing up the silhouette of the outfit, giving one half of the body more volume (either top or bottom) and something close-fitting to the other.
ACCESSORIZE
Go grab a puffer vest, a hat or bag to tie your outfit together. Adding a beret adds that classic, Parisian chic, while a baseball or bucket hat plays on a more streetwear/sporty inspired look. A silk scarf is another great way to dress up a basic crewneck or pullover, either around your neck or head, if you’re going outside – think Audrey Hepburn style.
Let me know in the comments below your favorite type of sweater, and how you style it. Although an oversized tee and sweatpants become more common as the days get colder, I find that there’s nothing like an outfit that I feel confident in to get me out of some winter depression. And why not make it a comfy one!
alice, xx
The Fashion Hiker 