Two Sweater Dresses

Like I said, I really love the fall. It always seems like a "get started getting serious" season. I suppose it's ingrained in me because school starts in the fall, and with the cold north west weather, the time spent indoors increases.


While I'm trying to get serious about house work, writing more, reading, and graduate school preparation, I also feel my mind wandering to outfits.

For a long time, I've been a fan of chunky sweaters. I like the thick knit patterns, cables, and the hearty textures of the materials. But, sometimes chunky sweaters make you look and feel just that -- chunky. The sweater dress seems like no exception, only you also forgo a pair of cute bottoms to give you some shape.

Well, I picked up a sweater dress at Goodwill in the middle of the summer. ** SIDE NOTE: Goodwill hint for the day: don't be too reluctant to buy out-of-season clothes, that next season is always just around the corner.** It was a cute green knit with a hint of blue in the yarn. I liked the length and the bell sleeves as well. But, it looked kinda frumpy. Hmmm.

So, I took the dress out for a test drive the other day and worked on some accessories to make the look feel more polished and hip. I wore a couple of bangles, big earrings, a thin scarf, nude-stockings, and my old brown boots. Also, not pictured, I wore my hair in a messy, tussled look. And....



Also, on a day when I'd like to feel more cozy, I thought I'd pair it with a shawl I picked up in Argentina.




So, my idea for how to wear a chunky sweater, is to work on the accessories. Add a cute scarf, some snappy jewelry, and kicky shoes to create a cozy, fall look that does not look frumpy (in my opinion). Also, wearing slightly disheveled and loose hair will make it look more casual, comfortable and trendy. (I notice my camera is inadequate the capture the details in the colors, textures, and patterns...curses to inperfections!!)


Let's break down the price:

1. The dress: $6.99
2. The shawl: I can't remember exactly, so let's say, $12
3. The scarf: I found it on the street during a walk (true story!)
3. The bangles: gifted from my mother, but you can pick up bangles for $1 or $2 at Goodwill.
4. The boots: $20 from a thrift store, and I've kept them for over 2 years.

Plus, all I had to do was buy the dress and then use other things I had collected to complete the look. So, when it's all said and done, the outfit costs about $30, but with so many interchangable pieces, it's worth much more!

For this green dress, I plan to accessorize it with browns, greens, oranges, and possibly blues. Contrasting colors add a lot of pizazz to an outfit.




Now, let's move on to the second sweater dress. This was a really pretty blue one and I found it just a few weeks ago at Ross. I really like the cables and the cute side pockets. I paired it with a silk scarf a friend brought me back from China and some simple blue jewelry and...



Also, for a chilly day, I paired it with a thick scarf a friend of mine made for me and wore a long sleeved shirt under.



So, to break down the pricing of this dress:

1. The dress: about $12 at Ross.
2. The scarf and shawl were both gifts
3. The same boots
4. The brown shirt: $3.99 at Goodwill
5. The jewlery: just knick-knacks and gifts

I plan to accessorize this dress with different shades of blue, orange, red, purple, and brown.




Dresses are such fun, easy and versatile pieces in the closet. Sweater dresses especially are comfortable and not constricting around the waist or legs. Assuming someone else would want to try and duplicate these outfits, here are my suggestions:

After you find a sweater dress, look for a few snappy accessories to pair with it. Look for matching and contrasting colors.

Thin and narrow scarves are nice because they don't add a lot of bulk to the outfit. Pairing a jacket or blazer with it can add some color, texture, and some shape to your outfit.

This doesn't work for me, but putting a thick belt around the waist can also help define your shape.

Adding a pair of classic shoes and a sensible matching purse completes the look. Now that I have a few good sweater dresses and some ideas on how to accessorize them, I can't wait for the cold weather!