Finding the right sweater dress
December 2nd, 2008The idea of a sweater dress is appealing. Throw it on with hose and boots and you’re ready to roll. If only they weren’t so hard to fit. The sweater dress guidelines below are by no means flop-proof, but they might help get you on your way:
- Embrace an unstructured look: Many sweater dresses are supposed to look untailored and a little boxy. It’s fine if they float away from the hips and don’t come in at the waist. It’s a cute look if the rest of your outfit is pulled together (good fit on the shoulders, fab hose, nice boots and handbag). Clingy sweater dresses are extremely tricky and not my preferred choice for most body types. I say go with the volume and embrace a less structured look.
- Consider an Empire cut: The baby doll style is a good option if you’re not busty. It’s tailored on top and roomy on the bottom, which makes for a forgiving A-line silhouette.
- Consider a Fit and Flare: Styles that are belted at the waist for structure, but spacious at the bottom for comfort are another good way to go. You can also change out the belt for a more polished appearance.
- Choose heavier knits: This does not necessarily mean “chunky knit” because fine gauge knits can have substance. Knits with weight smooth over the contour of the body instead of grabbing onto curves in an unflattering way. Many sweater dresses are made with flimsy knits and this is usually the deal breaker for me.
- Get the length right: Sweater dresses can’t be hemmed or lengthened, which means that the length has to be perfect upon purchase. I like them best just above the knee. I’m personally finding most sweater dresses too short, but I know that petites are finding them too long. Not easy!
- Test the complete outfit: Make sure you try a potential sweater dress with hose and boots before you say no. Getting the ensemble right can make all the difference.
Add the desire for non-scratchy wool, a pretty colour and a flattering neckline to the above variables and the search gets even harder. It’s a miracle we’re wearing sweater dresses at all.
I’ve been lucky to find two that I love but it’s taken two seasons and lots of experimentation. One is an empire cut and the other is a sack-like shape. Several possibilities opened up to me once I got my head around the fact that I could still look and feel pulled together wearing an unstructured style.
Have you had luck finding a sweater dress, or have you given up? Any more tips on how to find this elusive item?
Four sweater dress styles that are generally more flattering: an empire cut, two fit and flares and a sack dress. The weights of the knits look pretty substantial too. Be sure to check out bluefly for sweater dress deals.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 am
Unsurprisingly, all of the sweater dresses here pose problems for me. The first has an empire waist with gathers, the others all have high necklines, the second one has a belt, the third has funky details over the chest, and the last would make me look like a blob. That is actually a pretty good summary of the problems I have been having with sweater dresses.
I like the one I have but it’s really a tunic more than a dress. I wish they made exactly the same thing in a longer length. It’s definitely a tall order to fill and I’m not holding my breath anymore. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one, but I just don’t have the energy to actively search for one!
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:35 am
i have given up trying to find a sweater dress, or really any dress. however recently i tried on a trina turk dress at nordstroms that fit well. yet with a price tag of $300 i left it there. now that i’ve looked for it on sale it is gone.
when looking at a dress in this season one has to consider the tall boot issue, which i don’t partake of as of now. hopefully my style quotient will increase and i’ll have more variety to include dresses with boots.
i had a client call me before Thanksgiving and say, “i think a shirt with structure will give my body some much needed definition” so she’d feel her best for turkey day. i do think i’d feel undefined in a sweater dress.
i agree with maya, a long tunic over pants would be my version.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 am
Darn it! I was all set to order the 2nd sweater dress posted by Angie by Classiques Entier but all mediums are sold out. It looks perfect for my needs.
Classic and timeless. Nice fabric and shape. Nice for my casual lifestyle.
Thanks for this post Angie!
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Thank you for this timely post Angie! I have had a lot of frustrations this season searching for sweater dresses - most of them are too clingy!
I have a finally found a simple black cowl neck one ( slight A-line) that’s tunic length to wear over skinnies. But I am still looking, since I would like one more tunic length ( the one I got is very thin) and one normal length to wear as a dress. I have my eye on a few, I am waiting for them to go on sale. The are both empire style.
A few weeks ago Ifell in love with this gorgeous one from Nanatte Lepore, but all the small sizes were gone already and I wasn’t able to find it anywhere else. I would have gladly saved for months just to get my hands on it:
http://www.revolveclothing.com/classic/DisplayProduct.jsp?product=NL-WD155&source=thefind
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
I do have a fit and flare sweater dress which I like. I’ve also accepted the fact that it’s less structured. The only thing is that it’s black. I also tried this dress:
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=42222&pid=606652
which I highly recommend to anyone looking for a straight style. It does not cling and looks great on. I hesitated for myself on this one though because I wasn’t sure the sleeves and cowl were great for my broad shoulders. Am I wrong on this?
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
For my needs I’d rather find a tunic style to wear over skinny pants than a dress, but haven’t been actively looking. I like the fit and flare style, especially the grey one, but the blue would probably look better on me. I plan to watch for one on after Christmas sales.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:42 am
Thanks for your post. I had been thinking that a sweater dress is not for my pear shaped body. I love the 2nd one (grey)! I might have to rethink the sweater dress. I am heading to Norstrom on Saturday, I will have to see if they have it.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Maya, what you need is a sweater dress that combines a few of the style features shown in these pictures. My guess would be a fit and flare or sack style with the appropriate neckline. It might just find you.
That’s the final straw Carissa – the price tag. I too have found fabulous sweater dresses but was not prepared to pay the price. And quite right, the look is not for everyone. I too enjoy tailored, structured definition daily. I’m really walking the edge in an unstructured sweater dress!
Rotten luck, Debbie. Keep stalking the dress. Your size might pop up again.
The NL dress would look beautiful on you, Tanya. I hope it finds its way into your closet.
I tried on that sweater dress, Patience. It almost came home with me. It was alas too short and the colour was unflattering. But to your point, the fit was sweet in a chunky knit type of a way.
Eva, You CAN wear a sweater dress. All you need is an empire cut. Trust me.
Joy and all the others, there has been no shortage of sweater tunics this season and they remain a nice and warm option. It’s a different animal to the dress though. I feel different when I wear a sweater dress than when I wear a sweater tunic over jeans.
(By the way, you’ve got me saying “sweater”. A completely foreign word in my vocabulary until I came to America. When in Rome – and you know the rest).
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
I found the right sweater dress (or perhaps sweater tunic?) for me- empire cut, scoop neck, heavier knit, slight balloon 3/4 sleeve, in a kind of peacock blue. I wear it over jeans- I tried the look with tights just to see what it would be like, but it’s too short and unflattering for my body type. It’s comfy, warm, and forgiving but still stylish.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
It would probably never occur to me to try a sack dress on because I’d be afraid of looking like a blob. I think it works really well when you’re tiny and it’s obvious that it’s the shape of your dress and not you, but all too often I feel like it’s giving the impression that I look shapeless rather than the dress. The tunic I have is a more relaxed fit, but it is still shaped. Is that also considered a sack shape?
I think I know what you mean by fit-and-flare, but I haven’t found any dresses like that so far. Amazing because I think that style probably works well for most people.
I’d like to find one that has the neckline of the first one, the shape of the second one, and the length and sleeves of the third one.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
Ha - to all the challenges you already mentioned, I’d add that it has to be no-wool for me. Obviously, that pretty much kills any chance of finding one. I occasionally look at sweater dresses online, because I really like the look, and I enjoy seeing them on others, but I haven’t really embraced a hunt for one since I know the prospects are so slim once I rule out wool. Oh well, it’s probably good for my wallet to bypass this one…
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:28 am
In the fall I bought a BR sweater dress that a lot of YLFers looked at (green, honeycomb-style knit on the top, short puff sleeves, cowl neckline). It is really surprising to me how often I have worn it. At the same time, it definitely shows wear - piling under the arms, and even wear from sitting on it. So to me, price is important, because a sweater dress is not a “forever” item. I would love to have another one though, because it’s a super-useful garment for my lifestyle.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 am
I got one and I love it!!!!! it is a-line cut and flattering!
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I remember seeing Nicole’s sweater dress on the forum and she absolutely rocks the look in the picture. Its pretty amazing.
My mom was very anti blob looking when I was growing up. When all the babydolls, tops with yokes & pleats, etc. came back out a few years ago I could hear her in my head, “that looks terrible. I absolutely can not see any of your pretty shape. Go take it off”. So, I still hear her precious voice when I consider wearing such looks.
A kind of personal question to Angie: does one wear shapewear under the sweater dress? Shapewear doesn’t fit my low maintenance mantra. ha.
And i think the pill/wear factor is important for an item that will get heavy rotation.
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
This is a tough piece to get right, especially if you are a non-waif. Although I generally shun empire waisted garments at this point, my best sweater dress has a nice high waist and looks fantastic.
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
My favorite sweater dress was a Daisy Fuentes grey sweater dress.It was cotton and almost had a kimono style but not very exaggerated.i found it a Kohl’s about two years ago and it is still holding up.
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Lannie, I perceive yours as a tunic and it looks great over jeans. Empire cuts work well for your body type.
Maya, your wish sweater dress silhouette is exactly right (neckline of the first and shape of the second). There are sack dresses and there are sack dresses. The Urban Outfitters sweater dress you tried on a while ago fits into the “sack category” and it looked sweet. Have we seen your red tunic on the forum? Is it the one you wore with cream boots outfit?
Antje, a non-wool sweater dress is probably the tallest order. But who knows what Spring will bring.
Laura, I hear you. Sweater dresses are knits and I too refuse to pay money for knits in general. No matter how expensive you go, they pill and look grotty fast.
Carissa, you can absolutely wear shapewear under a sweater dress. I have clients who like to wear shapewear daily and with everything. But first choice is to be able to choose clothing that does not require shapewear. I am not a strong advocate of spanx or anything of the like.
RSRP and Sal, glad you found sweater dresses that work!
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I’m holding off on buying sweater dresses or any knits - including my beloved cashmere - this year due to the bad economy. I’m getting by at the moment but not knowing what’s coming next year, I don’t want to invest in knits. It seems that even expensive knits nowadays are unpredictable in quality and can pill, snag and bag easily and early. A good coat, suit or dress that’s sturdy, classy and lined for comfort seems a better investment. Or a nice pair of real leather boots that can last for years. But knits… blah.
In the meantime I’m wearing my old pilled cashmere sweaters as pajama tops at home. At least they’re comfortable.
P.S. Sorry for sounding like a scrooge! I do like the pictures Angie posted, in particular the turtleneck with a belt. Slouchy with a hint of a shape is best in my opinion.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Oops I see that Angie already addressed the “knits get pilled fast” factor earlier. Sorry!
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I am wearing this outfit formula right now
I am a fan of the not so fitted dresses
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Angie, my red sweater dress was snug at first, but now it’s just too tight. Thanksgiving certainly didn’t help with that =\. Last time I wore it I had a woven shirt underneath, which somewhat helped smooth over any trouble spots, but it was still too clingy for comfort. I’m afraid I’ll probably be retiring it.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Oh and if it wasn’t clear, that’s the one I wore with the cream boots.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
tanya’s nanette lepore dress is really pretty. the detailing on it prevent it from looking like a sweater dress, and it has structure in the seaming, etc.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Inspired by this post, I ordered a tunic styled sweater dress from Max Studio. It’s on sale for $88. Since I’m a petite, I hope that it will hit me above the knees like a dress. I can’t wait to get it.
http://www.maxstudio.com/cgi-bin/dynamic/product.cgi?frame=main&style_number=7310997&color=BLACK
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:13 am
Maya, I just came across this petit one at French Connection, it’s on sale for $34.99 and I love the pom pom detailing on the neckline and arms. It has a bit of the fit and flare going on that Angie talked about, and comes in red and black:
http://usa.frenchconnection.com/product/womens+dresses/48E8Q/petit+pom+pom+sweater+dress.htm
The perfect sweater dress is indeed hard to find, and most of them are just too short for me (I would like one to wear with tights and boots, not as a tunic over pants).
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:19 am
I am in love with sweater dresses and am so happy to see this post! I have three so far and am always looking for more. I’m a pretty pear and two of the dresses are more form-fitting and one is a-line. They all have interesting necklines which I think helps bring the attention away from my hips. Also, I only wear black or dark gray leggings. I tried cream but it wasn’t very flattering.
One of them was kind of see through so I bought a full length slip. I now wear the slip under all of them because it keeps them from clinging to the leggings and smooths out any “bumps” in my figure.
This is now my go-to outfit on the weekends! Love it!
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:55 am
Julia, I love the sweater dress you posted and hope you’ll let us know how it works out.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:01 am
I did not get a chance to respond to this post yesterday, hopefully someone can still answer this for me: for those of us who are busty–what is the best option for a sweater dress? I have an empire-waist, scoop neck one that I thought looked nice, but the above post says that is a no-no. Any suggestions?
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 am
I haven’t had much luck with sweater dresses because every single one I have tried has been too short and the ones I can afford are invariably flimsy and look cheap on (I guess this has to do with the fabric not having the right weight as Angie pointed out). But who knows, I might find a good bargain at the after Christmas sales. I would love to have an empire or sack style in grey or another neutral color.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Maya, did you keep the UO blue sweater dress in the smaller size? I remember the red tunic well – that was favourite outfit you’ve posted. I hope you find a replacement.
Lulu, that’s a good strategy and you don’t sound like a scrooge at all. You’re a gal with priorities and that’s great.
Sweet dress, Julia! Let us know if it works out.
Inge, another sweet dress! I wonder if Maya will like it since it’s not a fit and flare. We’ll wait and hear.
I like the sound of your sweater dress formulas Jessica and Carrie. It’s SUCH an easy ensemble to throw on.
Redhead, the empire cut that you have might fall UNDER the bust which is where it should fall (the line itself should never cut across the bust). Most empire cuts are not cut long enough to accommodate well endowed gals which is why I generalized in the post. But the odd long empire cut does exist. It’s also imperative that your neckline is V or scooped.
Hope you score, Joelle.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
Thanks for the response Angie! The line does cut below the girls and the scoop is nice without being too revealing. I bought it at Macy’s (on sale!) last winter, I should have bought one in another color too
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
Then it sounds like you hit sweater dress jack pot, redhead! I’m with you on wishing I’d bought more sweater dresses last season. Hope I score a few more this year. I’m very taken with the look and I’m always looking for more ways to wear my multiple pairs of boots because they keep my feet happy.
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
To sum up my quandary:
If it’s not:
- too generously cut for my not-skinny-but-petite self;
- too clingy;
- too ridiculously chunky;
- or too prone to pill
– well, then, it’s blue. And almost all my dresses are blue, so I’ve had to declare a blue dress moratorium on my wardrobe. Bleah.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Thanks Joy and Angie! I’ll let you know how the dress fits.
December 7th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I like sweater dresses, though I was surprised to see so many short sleeved ones. What’s the point of having a warm (sometimes with some %% of mohair (Angora goat) wool which is the warmest of the warm) dress with short sleeves that leave your arms freezing?
I now own three of them. One is an emerald sack dress, a mix of heavy cotton, acryl and metallic yard, kinda like the gray sack on the picture but a bit more snug, with long sleeves that end in long narrow cuffs.
The other two are little black dresses basically.
There is this little machine you can buy in Europe called fabric shaver, it helps when knits start pilling. You just shave the little bits off. My shaver cost less than 10 euro and I’ve had it for more than two years.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I got the dress today. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was! Obviously it’s another lesson of not shopping in regular dept if you are a petite. I bought a S but it’s too big. The length is too long for a tunic and too short for a dress. Besides it doesn’t have a good weight to give a drapy look. I returned it already. I didn’t have much hope to have one and now I almost gave up.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Oh no, Julia! I’m sorry. The sweater dress remains an elusive item. If it’s any consolation, I tried on a few today and they looked awful. Have you tried BR petites?
December 14th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I just say no to them. They look interesting and every year I am happy when they hit the racks. But I’m too short and will never wear or maintain a sweater dress.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I’m wearing one now. You are right. It’s HARD to find a great one. I have two, and I have tried A LOT. They are both on the shorter side. One has a great knit but it’s not my best color. The other is a little too clingy, but I’m not a fan of the boxy look (I have big boobs and need some structure) and it seems to work. At least I hope so!
I wear both with thick black tights and knee-high flat black boots.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Thanks Angie for the tip! I went to BR today and got myself a purple cowl-neck sweater dress, and it’s on sale for $69, reduced from $130!
December 20th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I know the dress! It’s pretty and will look gorgeous on you. Thanks for chiming in
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