Written by: vanessa dame

How to Wear a Sweater Dress With Ankle Boots

There’s nothing quite like sweater weather. As temperatures drop, a whole new world of fashion possibilities becomes available. As you are making the transition from summer to fall outfits, there’s perhaps no outfit more synonymous with autumn and winter than the classic sweater dress and ankle boot combo.

Whether you’re sipping your pumpkin spice latte or apple picking in the orchard, a sweater dress and ankle boots are endlessly cozy and effortlessly chic. If you’re new to this style staple or just looking for a way to shake up your fall wardrobe, keep reading to learn how to choose your sweater dress, how to style it, and five autumn outfit ideas we simply can’t get enough of.

How to Choose Your Sweater Dress

Before we can answer the essential question of how to wear a sweater dress with ankle boots, we first need to help you find the sweater dress that suits you best. Let’s explore all our options by investigating the different fabrics, knits, and sweater styles you can choose from as well as how you can mix and match sweaters and skirts or dresses to create the same effect.

Fabrics and Knits

If you’ve ever worn a scratchy, uncomfortable sweater, you know that not every fabric can be as soft as Merino wool. But what are the different sweater fabrics? Let’s look at four of the most common fabrics:1

  1. Acrylic – This synthetic fabric is made to look like wool.
  2. Cashmere – Cashmere is ultra-fine wool known for being soft and durable.
  3. Cotton – This plant-based fabric is softer but typically less elastic than wool.
  4. Wool – Wool is one of the most versatile fabrics. There are a variety of kinds including Merino, Lambswool, Donegal, and Shetland. Each type varies in softness, thickness, and warmth.

Next, these different fabrics can all be made into a variety of knits, including:

  • Birdseye
  • Cable knit
  • Guernsey stitch
  • Marled
  • Rib stitch
  • Shaker knit
  • Waffle

Each of these knits has its own visual appeal and aesthetic. The one you choose will often come down to your own personal tastes.

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Different Sweater Styles

In addition to knits and fabrics, there are countless sweater dresses and styles for you to explore. Rather than naming them all one by one, consider six of the current knit dress trends:2

  1. Cable knit
  2. Crochet
  3. Cutouts
  4. Fuzzy fabric
  5. Glamorous accents
  6. Statement sleeves

Mixing and Matching

Your last consideration for choosing your favorite sweater dress is whether you need it to be a sweater dress at all! You can easily toss one of your favorite sweaters over a dress, especially a midi dress or maxi dress, for an elevated twist. You can also mix and match, playing with an assortment of sweater-and-skirt combinations.

How to Style a Sweater Dress

Now that you know what kind of knit dress you want to wear, let’s focus on different sweater dress outfit ideas. There are three key areas you can explore:

  • Outerwear
  • Shoes
  • Accessories

Outerwear

Adding additional outerwear to your favorite sweater dress is a clever way to maximize your comfort and warmth—and experiment with your style. From an oversized blazer to a classic trench, the options abound. To inspire you, we’re highlighting some trendy outerwear styles for you to explore:3

  • Bomber jackets
  • Colorblocked coats and jackets
  • Leather trench coats
  • Puffer jackets
  • Shearling accents on coats and jackets
luri-plum-maisa-dress

Shoes

Since the reason you’re here is to learn how to style your ankle booties and sweater dress, let’s assess two key factors to help you decide which boots are right for your fall outfit:

  1. Color – If you want to create a casual look, choose ankle booties that contrast in color with your sweater dress. For a more eye-catching sweater dress outfit, match the color or pattern of your dress and boots for an iconic monochromatic fit.
  2. Style – Similarly, a contrast in style between your dress and boots creates a visually interesting fall outfit. Because sweater dresses and skirts tend to sway toward the feminine side of things, consider adding an edgy, androgynous touch by slipping into a pair of bold combat boots.

For shorter skirts, you might consider swapping your ankle boots for knee high boots or even thigh high boots to lengthen the line of your legs. Trust us, you’ll look fabulous.

Accessories

To complete your outfit, you’ll want to choose the right accessories. Accessories can be both functional like a winter scarf and fashionable like a pair of earrings. Common add-ons that can complete any outfit include:4

  • Belts
  • Hair accessories
  • Handbags
  • Jewelry

When you choose your accessories, remember that they don’t need to match, especially when creating bolder outfits. In fact, accessories are a fashion-forward way to add pops of color and fun patterns. To maintain balance, choose one bold accessory, either in size or color, and then couple it with a few more minimal appendages.

5 Sweaters, Dresses, and Skirts We Love

In the spirit of fashion innovation and exploration, we’re highlighting five sweaters, dresses, and skirts that you can combine to create the classic sweater dress look with a modern twist. After all, so much of the fun of fashion is experimenting with new styles. Why limit yourself to the traditional sweater dress look when there’s a whole world of cozy feminine fashion?

#1 Clara Long Skirt

Ooh, la la—the Clara Long Skirt is here to shake up your fall wardrobe. This summer skirt has a secret: Switch strappy sandals for your favorite booties and throw on a turtle neck, and you’ll have the perfect transitional weather outfit.

This daring skirt features sexy slits so you can showcase your gorgeous legs all year long. If you are wanting to know how to style long skirts in the colder weather, add a stylish pair of stockings or black tights underneath when it’s truly chilly outside. Ruched and cut high, the waist of this skirt promises comfort. Plus, you can slip into one (or all) of three colors and patterns:5

  • Dark desert – This burnt gold is the unforgettable color of autumn leaves. It comes in a lightweight linen blend fabric for those fall days when the sun is still shining bright.
  • Periwinkle – This rich shade of blue is a year-round favorite, but it’s particularly appropriate for the colder months when most people shy away from bright colors.
  • Maila – This blue-gray leopard print brings both bold and neutral to the table. The animals might be hibernating, but your style doesn’t have to. This pattern comes in a silk blend fabric—soft and sophisticated.

Whichever color or pattern you choose, you’re sure to feel confident and cozy.

black-yana-top-desert-clara-skirt

#2 Teresa Sweater

If you’re looking for the perfect tops to wear with skirts, like the Clara Long Skirt, you’re in luck. The Teresa Sweater is here. This timeless sweater features a lightweight knit fabric to keep you warm but not too warm.

It comes in two perfect neutral colors: off white and black. (There’s no better closet staple for layering than a neutral.) As for style, this certainly isn’t your grandma’s sweater. Eyelet details along the decolletage and arms create a unique visual appeal. Voluminous sleeves cinched at the wrists add a feminine flair.

This sweater is a little looser around the chest to ensure you’re always comfortable and tailored to your waist to follow your figure. Pair this sweater with your favorite skirt and ankle boots to craft a trendy take on the classic sweater dress.

#3 Vicky Long Skirt

Hello, gorgeous—we think you’ll love the Vicky Long Skirt. A midi skirt with a fun flair, this skirt has several eye-catching features. Stunning gold stitching creates flattering vertical lines and matches the warm, orange-gold color blocking at the bottom of the skirt. A front, thigh-high slit makes this skirt especially unique.

Made from a linen blend fabric, this skirt is ultra-soft and incredibly lightweight. The protective lining at the top promises modesty while the slightly transparent fabric beneath the knee is breezy and fun. This eclectic skirt comes in two cute colors:

    • Black – The classic black contrasts beautifully with the gold color blocking and is ideal for any autumn outfit.

  • Basil – This light green is fresh and fun, a beautiful choice year-round.

This colorful skirt would look especially good with a neutral like the Teresa Sweater. We’re thinking black on black or an off white and basil pairing. You can’t forget the boots! With the high slit, knee high boots or thigh high boots would pair perfectly.

#4 Maisa Long Dress

The verdict is in: the Maisa Long Dress is one of our new fall favorites. This maxi dress is made from a lightweight silk blend; it’s the perfect transitional weather piece for your wardrobe. The V-neckline and adjustable waist will flatter your figure wherever you wear it. Plus, the loose, fluttering sleeves and a flowing skirt create a feminine, bohemian effect.

With an eye-catching patchwork pattern that combines purple and orange with hints of green, this dress is an homage to vibrant autumn colors, but its bold tones will be a welcome sight any time of year.

Fashionistas can dress this statement piece up or down with accessories and outerwear. A cropped turtleneck sweater over this dress and a pair of black ankle boots would create an unforgettable Thanksgiving fit.

#5 Iris Long Dress

Last but certainly not least, we can’t forget about the Iris Long Dress. A lightweight linen blend makes this soft fabric comfortable from season to season. The maxi dress silhouette celebrates flowing and free Bohemian style while the sweetheart neckline and outlined bodice add a feminine flair.

Choose from three gorgeous colors:

  • Black
  • Off White
  • Ginger

Ginger is the pumpkin-spiced color of your dreams—a bold burnt orange that practically screams autumnal essential. Black and off white offer the opportunity for you to pair a neutral dress with a vibrant sweater. Think of the possibilities!

ViX: Your Hub for Year-Round Fashion Fun

By now, you know that the answer to how to wear a sweater dress with ankle boots is however you want. You don’t even need a cozy sweater dress to evoke this classic fashion staple. You can combine all sorts of dresses and skirts with your favorite sweaters to elicit the same effect. Then, it’s time to accessorize with outerwear, jewelry, and shoes to your heart’s content.

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Sources:

  1. Primer. Primer’s Complete Guide to Sweater Types: Fabric, Fit, and Care. https://www.primermagazine.com/2020/learn/sweater-types
  2. The Every Girl. 6 Knitwear Trends To Have On Your Radar This Fall. https://theeverygirl.com/fall-knitwear-trends/
  3. Refinery29. 5 Coat Trends That Will Up Your Fall 2022 Outerwear. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/coat-trends-styles-2022
  4. Masterclass. How to Accessorize: 4 Tips for Choosing Stylish Accessories. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-accessorize
  5. ViX Paula Hermanny. Fabric Guide. https://www.vixpaulahermanny.com/products/gisa-short-dress-bailey