Autumn's crisp and chilly days are here, which makes it the perfect season to pull out your oversized sweatshirts! Oversized sweatshirts are fashionably larger than their wearer and have a leisurely appearance. But while they embody coziness, they can also be styled for a chic and modern look. As a personal stylist with a soft spot for oversized sweatshirts, here are three styling tips to try out this season.
Step 1: Choose Fitting Pants With Your Sweatshirt
Oversized sweaters have a complete and loose shape, so careful attention should be paid when choosing what bottoms to pair them with. Why? Because they are as effortless as they are, they require styling effort to get that chic look. So tip number one is to choose pants that give structure to your oversized sweater. The pants include:
Dress slacks: Dress slacks are a general go-to for most ensembles, but you can't afford to throw on any slacks due to the slouchy design of oversized sweaters. Instead, your slacks should have a trim fit under the sweater to prevent your clothes from looking bulky. A trim fit creates a chic and well-thought-out look. And if your preferences lean towards wider slacks, don't fret. Simply take your style one step further by tucking in the front of your sweater. This will create a definitive and feminine shape.
Leggings: Leggings fit with oversized cardigans like bread with butter. Honestly, you can do no wrong with this combination. Leggings–whether plain or faux leather or jeggings–are already leg-hugging in design. This makes them the perfect complement to the bagginess of oversized sweaters. Depending on your chosen apparel, you can wear this combo to visit friends, hang out at restaurants, explore a city, and attend parties.
Jeans: Jeans are also an excellent option when styling your oversized sweaters. Form-fitting jeans are the best and most straightforward choice for your sweater, but you can also dial your look up a notch and pair it up with bell bottoms. Yes, it works when done right! Go for a turtle-necked cardigan and neatly front-tuck it into your jeans, and you'll be all set for a fashionable time.
Don't forget to pay attention to colour combinations when choosing pants for your oversized cardigan. Matching colours creatively can be the detail that takes an outfit from bland to stylish. And since oversized sweaters tend to look casual, you want to choose pants that will give your apparel a spark. Black or blue jeans are great options as they will match wonderfully with every sweater colour.
.And depending on the colour of your sweater, you can also opt for unique colours of pants like dark green, mahogany, or ochre.
Step 2: Mix and Match Your Textures
As a personal stylist, part of our services involves blending textures and optimizing them to their maximum effect. Style isn't only about the prints on a cloth or its shape. Instead, a clever combination of textures can make a woman stand out boldly and confidently in a crowd. So even if dark colours are your personal preferences, a combination of materials will make your ensemble fascinating.
Since oversized cardigans come in various textures–wool, cotton, fleece, cashmere, and even velvet–they provide the perfect opportunity to dig into your wardrobe and play with textures. So rather than wear a knitted sweater with knitted bottoms and end up with an uninspiring look, you can wear a knitted sweater with faux leather pants and step out looking elegant.
Some textures to match your oversized sweater include:
Denim: Denim is a wardrobe must-have for every season, almost every occasion, and for a good reason. They are sturdy, comfortable, and ultra-versatile. They also come in various apparel such as pants, shoes, hats, and bags, all of which can be paired beautifully with an oversized sweater. Wear denim jeans with your wool or cotton sweatshirt. Go for a high waist one and front tuck your sweatshirt for that modern, classy vibe or go for fitting denim that slides suavely into your boots. Wear it with any colour of the sweater you choose and rest assured that you will look fantastic.
Leather: There is this misconception that leather can't be elegant or classy, but that is untrue. When styled with care, leather can enhance a bold image. Leather is the sleekest and most suave fabric, making it modern. So to weave leather into this ensemble, opt for leather pants with your cashmere sweater or leather boots with denim jeans. Keep it minimal and wear it with confidence.
Corduroy: Corduroy has a texture that is so different from and yet blends beautifully with cable knit, especially in the autumn month. So rather than opting for knit-on-knit, wear your knit sweater and complete the look with corduroy pants. The result will be a welcoming attire that shows class and a good fashion sense.
Step 3: Optimize Your Accessories
Oversized sweaters have a chunky shape that requires a bit of taming, and you can rein it in with your chosen accessories. Your accessories can be what sets the distinctive tone of your ensemble. For instance, your shoes can be what differentiates a coffee date with friends looks from more formal attire. And because oversized sweaters have that tendency to look overly casual, your accessories can be what makes them beautifully dressy. So optimize your accessories for the right image!
Ways to use accessories to service your sweater include:
Wear modish shoes: You do not want to pair your oversized sweater with loafers. Why? Firstly, due to their reasonably bulky shape, oversize sweaters require footwear that will give your overall ensemble structure. Also, sweaters are relaxed in appearance and therefore require footwear that will enhance your look. Opt for ankle boots with heels that elevate your style (pun intended) or trim sneakers with tall soles for a slightly more casual feel.
Throw on jewelry: The right earrings, necklaces, or bracelets can make your sweater glamorous. Combine a necklace with a poignant pendant with a sleek turtleneck wool sweater. Pull up the sleeves of your sweater just high enough to reveal dainty bracelets. Or keep your ensemble monotone and wear a statement yellow earring. Adding jewelry to your look will add class to this often simple attire.
Avoid chunky bags: Big bags are great, but not always when it comes to oversized sweaters. Because the sweaters are already so big, you want to keep everything else on you simple and trim. Carry long-strapped bags with small purses that enhance your colour scheme, or go for cross-shoulder bags with your hoodie. This will not just give it a dressy feel, a cross-shoulder bag will also highlight your feminine shape when worn over your sweater.
And there you have it. The three-step styling tips for oversized sweaters. These sweaters may appear daunting to style, but they will quickly become a staple once you get the hang of them! Practice these tips when choosing your wardrobe, and start your day with confidence.
Who is Sandra?
As a talented businesswoman and mother of two, Sandra Smith has worked in the style industry for over 20 years. She has successfully assisted clients across Canada, the USA and Europe as a personal stylist, helping with life-changing transformations.
Gaining experience as an international business coach Sandra has an uncanny ability to quickly look at someone and know how to bring out their best features. Combine this with her extensive corporate training and coaching, which has enabled her to provide an unparalleled style of service.
Today, Sandra can be available for her teenage children, occasionally on the radio co-hosting on 105.1 Mikefm, playing a great tennis game or enjoying some equestrian in the country.
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