HOW TO LOOK YOUR BEST IN A SWEATER DRESS
How many of you struggle with looking your best in clothing? There are tricks that I use to help hide my problem areas, and I want to share those with you. It doesn’t matter if you like to wear a dress, these tips will work for a sweater or a top.
So, part of my normal activities is to get dressed, take photos, and then share those with all of you. Yesterday, I had an idea of taking this sweater dress and showing you how to style it in a couple of different ways. When I mentioned this idea to my sister, she wanted to know how to look her best while wearing the dress.
She is built differently from me, as I am sure that a lot of you are. So, what looks good on me might be a challenge for you. I am 5’6″ tall, so I am several inches taller than my sister. My sister is way more busty than I am, which is not an issue for me when it comes to styling items. I am built like a ruler, while my sister is more the apple body shape. However, I hope to help you see how you can look your best in this dress, no matter your shape.
I will show you all of the different ways that I styled this dress, and I will also tell you some other ideas that will work, even if I didn’t style them in a photo.
When it comes to fashion, you have to do a lot of trial and error to see how to look your best. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and don’t get discouraged if your experiment doesn’t look like you had envisioned.
There are hundreds of looks that I try but never show to you. Mistakes and failures are part of the process, embrace them and learn from them. Expand your wardrobe by expanding your mindset. Try new things, and don’t be afraid of what others think.
I love this red sweater dress, and I can see myself wearing this look for Valentine’s Day! I love a cable-knit design sweater for the winter. The design is classic, it is beautiful, and it will never go out of style. This dress is not tight, and I don’t think that it shows your lumps. However, it does hug your body, so I actually think it would look good on someone larger chested than me. Showing off your chest without showing your cleavage is classy, and this dress will show off your chest to its best advantage. However, if you are concerned that your rolls might show, then I would suggest some shapewear. You can’t go wrong with SPANX, and if it gives you more confidence, then I say, “go for it.”
I am wearing a size medium in this dress, and I love the way that it fits. The fact that it is on sale for 70% off is also something that I love. This dress is normally around $120.00, but it can be yours for $35.66 right now!
Reminder to self…don’t stand with your hip all jutted out. LOL! I wanted to show you the back of the dress to see that the cable-knit pattern extended to the back.
You’ve heard me say over and over again that accessories can change an outfit. I love adding a scarf to my outfits for several reasons. Scarves are relatively inexpensive, you can use the colors and patterns in a scarf to tie an outfit together, and they can hide problem areas. This animal print oblong blanket scarf is stunning. It immediately draws your attention and makes you look up at my face instead of my stomach region, which is my problem area. It also extends over my tummy to help hide that area even more. So, I think adding this scarf, or any scarf, to this sweater dress helps me look my best. Here are some others that I think would look great with this dress, or any other item you have that is red.
I have white, winter looking legs, so wearing tights or knee boots is my go-to look with a dress. I love seeing others wearing booties with dresses, but I would have to lather up with self-tanner, which is way too much trouble. A tall boot looks just as good, and I think it is flattering and modern looking, so I mainly choose. These neutral boots are last year’s model, so they aren’t currently available online. However, a few other boots are similar that I will link to so that you can still achieve the same look.
My number one tip for people like me who don’t have a defined waist; add a cardigan or a jacket. You know that I am always trying to look my best, and you will notice that I wear a lot of cardigans, blazers, coats, and jackets. When you wear one of those items, it confuses the eye as to where your side ends. So many of you ask me if I am losing weight, and the answer is NO. I am trying, but I have not lost weight. However, if you can’t see the sides of my body, your eye will be drawn into the middle, which helps me appear thinner.
This camel colored cardigan is very soft, has gorgeous tortoiseshell print buttons, and has a relaxed fit that makes you want to grab this sweater over and over again. I am wearing a medium in this sweater, and it is plenty roomy and even a little on the large side. This cardigan is what I would call a grandfather cardigan or one that is a casual style. I can see wearing this cardigan with jeans and booties, and it will look adorable.
I like adding long cardigans to a dress since I think it looks polished and put-together. This honeycomb stitched cardigan is gorgeous and soft, but it is too big for me. I have the lapel turned back to make a collar and try to take up some extra material, but even the sleeves are too long. So, sadly, this cardigan will be going back. I am wearing a medium, and I recommend sizing down for this sweater. The sweater is beautiful and will go with many things, but be sure to make allowance for the oversized look before you place an order.
Who owns a denim jacket? If you did not raise your hand, then we are going to change that status today. A good denim jacket is one that you will wear for years. It is a classic, and it can be worn with almost anything, including maxi dresses and evening gowns. The jacket is an acceptable “neutral” that can be added for style or to keep you warm.
I added my jacket today for a casual look, plus I like how the blues played off the red sweater dress. This jacket also helps to create that waistline that I mentioned earlier, so it is always in rotation in my closet. I am wearing a jacket from Talbots, and they have several on sale that I will link to. The one that I am wearing is a medium which fits nicely for most of the time. However, it is a tad snug with this dress since it is a thicker material.
This isn’t my favorite look, but I still wanted to include the photo so that you can see my thought process. I wanted this to look like a skirt, and sweater, and a turtleneck. The oatmeal sweater achieves the look, but it isn’t a home run, so I would probably keep playing around to see if I could find something that I liked better. You can add a belt to the look, and that changes up things. I don’t add a belt too often because that is my thickest area. If I wear a belt, then I will usually also add a cardigan to hide the sides. I might also try adding a button-up shirt to the look and see if I liked the look like a jacket, or tie it at the waistline.
Did you like today’s post? Then, I want you to promise to experiment, experiment, experiment. Don’t rely on wearing something in the same old way over and over again. Try different items and see which ones help you to look your best. Don’t shy away from sweater dresses; they can be very flattering if you learn how to style them to fit your body type.
I hope that you have enjoyed today’s post and that you will tell all of your friends about my blog.
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To God Goes The Glory!
Psalms 119:125
125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
❤️🥰😍
Love these looks
I love these looks also. I have just bought a sweater dress for Christmas Eve. I’m looking for something to wear on my legs. So I think I’ll try some tall boots and maybe a jacket.
Super cute! Congrats on 5 years of blogging! Love your style and look forward to your posts each day/week and on Instagram! Also, appreciate the scripture and spiritual encouragement. Thankful for you!
One of my fashion goals for my WHOLE life is to be thin enough to wear a sweater dress. I’m 70 & have never felt comfortable enough to try. I’ve worn similar looking sweaters but never the sweater dress. YOU look spectacula
Do you have any advice for short women to buy tall boots? I’m only 5’2″ and they always hit me in the wrong spot. I love the ones you are wearing in this post, but they’d probably hit me above the knees!
The ones in my post are over the knee boots, so they would be tall on you.
Have you tried Spanx, Tania? If so, what size did you get? All your recommendations on size seem to fit me perfectly. Thanks!
I have tried Spanx, but it has been a while. I usually buy one size larger than they recommend. I don’t like to be squeezed too tight.
I do struggle with a sweater dress or one piece dress. You made this jean jacket over your beautiful red sweater dress fabulous and slimming!!! I will be happy to try it out with jean jacket I have! God bless you!
I’m glad that this post was helpful. A jean jacket is a wonderful tool.
Beautiful dress; love the COLOR! All the looks are so pretty.
Thanks, Nancy!
Great post! I love wearing boots with this dress length.
I second that request of your sister doing an occasional guest appearance!
I would love her to do a guest appearance, but she lives in Atlanta and I haven’t seen her in over a year. #stupidcovid
You look fabulous! This post was useful. Ive used Spanx before, it’s a wonderful invention.
I agree! It is a fabulous invention.
I’ve been finally realizing that everything looks more pulled together with a necklace or scarf. It’s sinking in, lol! No seriously, I started following you last Jan., I think, and then when we started staying home and I immersed myself in my craft, I didn’t bother with jewelry, makeup, wearing sweaters that needed hand washing. But you’ve kept right up with us, and it’s sinking in now. The accessories show individuality and brighten it all up. It’s not that much more work, and I own them all. I like how I feel when I’m wearing them. And I got 2 new denim jackets this year, they are like magic with all the things they go with and do (esp. for a CA girl). Thank you Tania!
PS. I’m built like your sister. Any chance she’d like to let you style her and do an occasional post for the short and/ or apple ladies?
Cindy, your comment made me laugh! Yes, accessories are fairly inexpensive and they make a world of difference. I’ll see what I can do about getting my sister to take some photos, but she will only wear black. Lol!
It would be fun to see your sister and you styling the same or similar outfits for your respective and different body shapes!
I’ll see if I can talk her into ordering a similar outfit and taking a photo.
I like the sweater dress with the jean jacket best. You look great in red.
The jean jacket looks great against the red dress.
I love that dress and you look absolutely marvelous
in all the different looks! I’m thinking about buying it.
I like the fit of the dress, and it wasn’t too snug at all.
Great post! Love all the looks! Good advice too. My dear old auntie used to have a fit when I wore boots with a dress. She always said boots were for pants and when wearing a dress you should show your legs. LOL! I never followed her advice.
Lol!!! I had an Aunt that sounds like yours.
What a great post, full of style inspiration! Thanks, Tania!!
I’m glad that you liked it Sheri.
I love this on you, you look fantastic!
Thanks, Cindee!
Tania you look lovely and have such great ideas. Got COVID weight to lose before I buy anything else new. I enjoy your blog!
Good luck with your weight loss. It is not easy!
Beautiful dress, I have one similar that I love – but alas no where to wear it at the moment. We are back in lockdown here in all of Ontario.
While I was scrolling through the pictures, however, my eye kept getting drawn to your front door mat. Its beautiful and I love how you took advice from your back door questions and put a layering mat underneath, but…..pull it away from the door a bit so that the underneath mat has an equal amount showing on all sides – even at the edge up against the door. 🙂
Sharon, the mat isn’t equal in relation to the coco mat. So, even though you can’t see it in the photos, the front of the mat shows equal to the sides. If I tried to make the back show also, then the front would only have a thin line and would look weird.
This post was very helpful! You look awesome in red!!
Thanks, Janie. I love red now, but I didn’t use to.
Red is definitely your color. This is a beautiful sweater dress. Looks best just alone or with the scarf. No need to cover it up. Love the winter fashions.
I think the cable knit design is gorgeous on this dress, and it looks fabulous all alone.
Thanks Tania for laying out the thought process. I loved it. Have a great weekend!
I’m glad that you liked my thoughts. They can be crazy at times.
How was the length on this dress Tania? I’m the same height as you. Did you consider getting a petite?
I liked the length of the dress and I thought it was great with the boots.
This was an EXCELLENT post! Thanks!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post.
You were mentioning what happened in DC yesterday and when I went to open your post your initial remarks were gone. Did you delete them?
I had originally talked about what was happening in DC, and then decided against the post. I figured everyone was already inundated with the news, so I decided to go in a different direction. However, I forgot to hit the update before the email went out. That was why it was on the email and not the post.
You look beautiful in red.
Thanks, Patti!