My go-to tips and outfits for how to style a sweater for plus size, mid size and apple shaped bodies
It’s finally sweater weather! Sweaters are one of my favorite wintertime clothing pieces. With so many styles of sweaters, it's not always easy to come up with new outfit ideas. Not to mention finding outfits that work well with your curvy body. If this is you, then let me share with you six outfits using my favorite sweaters as well as tips on what sweaters you should have in your closet this winter.
Outfit 1:
This sweater was one of those random finds from Ross. I was excited to find this sweater because most of my current sweaters are loose fitting. Tighter sweaters can be used to show off your figure more and pair nicely with skirts. For this outfit, I paired my cream fitted sweater with this darling pleated, floral midi skirt. Although the top cinches in at the waist, I added a belt to break up the sweater and the skirt and redefine my waist even further. Sweaters with skirts are one of my favorite outfit combinations. This fitted sweater would also be great with jeans for another cute, cold weather outfit.
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Outfit 2:
This open front lightweight cardigan is one of the oldest pieces in my wardrobe and with good reason. This sweater makes a great third piece in my outfit combination. Third pieces are things like sweaters, blazers, hats, etc that add a little extra to an outfit. I love a cardigan like this on chilly days when you just need a light sweater. I also like to add it to dressier outfits as a warm but also stylish addition to the outfit. It pairs nicely with dresses and skirts. Long cardigans are a marvellous piece to have in your closet. I love pairing this long cardigan with jeans and a basic top like I have on here.
For this outfit, I went with a long sleeve white bodysuit to add a little more warmth. I also chose a top that has a scoop neck that still shows the decolletage. For apple shaped bodies, you can lose your shape when completely covered. The way to fix that is to trick the eye and redirect it away from the tummy. The cardigan acts as a third piece that is just further districting attention. Not hiding, but rather, just redirecting where to look. As for the pants — I’m so glad flare jeans are back in style. They’ve always been my favorite and add so much to this look. Plus, these dark blue jeans seem a perfect match for the winter. I finished the look off with a pair of boots and matching belt for a very classic outfit combination.
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Outfit 3:
Turtleneck sweaters are such a lovely and cozy wintertime piece. However, these type of sweaters can be a little bulky on a larger frame. With sweaters like this, I love to play with my proportions to make this type of sweater work with my body. If the top of my outfit is very bulky, I like to keep it more form fitting on the bottom with something like leggings or skinny jeans. Or, I like to have my legs bare to draw the focus down and away from the bulkiness of my midsection.
This skirt and turtleneck combination is a perfect example of playing with proportions. There is less focus on the bulkiness of the sweater, and with a slight front tuck, I can have the oversized look without losing my figure. For this outfit, I went with a tweed mini skirt and a pair of booties to show off the legs and redirect from the bulk of the sweater.
Let me just say, I love this skirt. This tweed skirt is thrifted and hands down one of the nicest things I’ve found in a while. The brand is Boston Proper. It was hard to find an exact dupe, but I found a tweed skirt that will give you a similar silhouette. I love this outfit. This look is so full of those autumn browns that are just perfect for the season, but also allows me to wear a heavy sweater without completely losing my shape.
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Outfit 4:
Chunky sweaters are such a staple of winter. This one is new in my wardrobe, and I’m loving. I love that it’s v-neck to show off the decolletage and the cable knit design just gives it a very preppy look. If I wore tennis skirts, I could see this being the perfect country club outfit. However, I’m more a target run and chilling type lady, so let’s make a fun and casual outfit.
For this outfit, I went with a pair of faux leather leggings. Faux leather leggings are my go-to for casual winter outfits. They add that look of leather and edge to your more basic of outfits. From there, I added an oversized denim jacket to add to the cozy and casual look but also provide some warmth. Oversized denim jackets are another winter piece that’s become a staple. They’re perfect for my state’s weather, and pair so nicely with faux leather leggings. The three different textures work so well together. The toughness of the faux leather. The softness of the cable-knit sweater, and the brightness and natural feel of the denim, makes for such a great combination. Finishing this look, I went with a pair of combat boots. However, a pair of white sneakers would also pair well with this easy going winter look.
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Outfit 5:
Yes, baby doll, we have another cardigan. I wanted to show you my favorite kinds which are long and fitted cardigans, oversized cardigans, and now a more cropped style cardigan. This cardigan is one of my favorite finds from last year. I love how modern and fresh it feels, but also its so darn comfortable. Like all the cardigans on this list, I can wear it as a cute third piece, but I love to wear it as a top.
For this outfit, I went with one of my go-to winter outfit combos—jeans and a sweater. The thing I love about this cardigan is that it can work on its own as a top where the other cardigans can’t. With its beautiful tortoise shell buttons and overall knit design, this sweater stands out whether you wear it alone or as a third piece. I went with a simple pair of high rise straight jeans. These are a little more form fitting to compensate for the oversized fit of the sweater. Finishing the look, I went with a clog-type shoe. These shoes really took me back to my younger days—I used to love a good clog. With this youthful and fun outfit, I think these shoes are a perfect match. Overall, this is one of those looks that you can add to your outfit formula list for the winter. It’s effortless, fun, and so stylish.
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Outfit 6:
Like I said earlier, I go with cardigans, crew necks, and v-neck sweaters because I like to have a sweater that still shows some of my decolletage. Given that I’m apple shaped, and sweaters add bulk, it’s all about moving the eyesight from the midsection to another focal point. So, a sweater like this ribbed v-neck sweater is a staple in my winter wardrobe. Yes, I love it because it opens up that chest and neck area. However, I also love this type of sweater because it can work in so many outfit combinations and pair with so many bottoms in my closet.
So for this last outfit, I wanted to play with this dress. This form fitting black suede mini dress is very versatile, like the sweater. It’s one of those pieces that can be worn alone, or used in so many other outfit combinations. I want to turn this dress into a skirt by pairing it with the sweater. To take away the bulkiness of the sweater, I used a belt strapped around my natural waist to tuck in the sweater's excess and give it a more cropped look. With that, I have a cute little sweater/skirt outfit that’s not too baggy and perfect for my Florida seasons. You can add tights, boots, or jackets to meet your climate needs.
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There are so many ways you can use sweaters in your winter outfits without them being too boxy or bulky. Remember to work with your assets and don’t be afraid to try new styles and techniques. What is your favorite sweater, and how do you like to style it? Let me know in the comments.