It’s officially September, which means we can’t deny it any longer: fall is coming. But don’t be too sad because the end of sandal and sundress season means the beginning of boots and big sweaters season. It’s also the perfect time to practice your advanced layering skills.
We said a sad goodbye to oversized sweaters in the spring, but brisk fall mornings are the time to bring them back into wardrobe rotation. It’s tempting to pair oversized sweaters with equally cozy pants (read: track pants or leggings) but combining too many slouchy pieces can often look sloppy. It’s best to restrict the loungewear for actual lounging and pair oversized sweaters with structured pieces to create an interesting contrast.
To get out of the shorts-plus-T-shirt mindset we’ve adopted for the last couple of months, scroll through the gallery above for inspiration on how to wear oversized knits this season.
[ Next: Supersized Sweaters Are This Season’s Biggest Trend ]
Images: Imaxtree
How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #1
Take the classic baggy-sweater-plus-jeans combination to street-style-star levels by adding a maxi dress underneath the sweater. For the most impact, choose a dress in a contrasting pattern. Scrunch the sweater's sleeves to really play up the different layers. Add in dangling earrings and a pair of black trainers to heighten the mix-and-match vibe.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #2
The rule about not wearing white after Labor Day is dated, especially when there are so many fantastic winter white pieces available. Break the old rule completely with an all-white look. A slouchy sweater works with wide-leg trousers when the knit has a defined waist.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #3
Keep that denim skirt in rotation long into fall by throwing on a big sweater. Always cold? Take a cue from the Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2016 runway show and cover up with thigh-high stockings and ankle boots. Instead of tying a scarf around your neck, wrap it around the strap of your bag. It may not keep you warm, but it looks chic.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #4
Team a big sweater with a no-fail biker jacket, black skinny jeans and a big smile. Black ankle boots and a bag slung casually over the shoulder complete the model-off-duty look.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #5
White trousers with a vivid floral print are just the thing to keep cold weather melancholy at bay. Bring out the base color in the pants with a white cable knit sweater and coordinating flats. To prevent things from becoming too matchy-matchy, carry a black and white check bag.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #6
Less is more when wearing a baggy knit with a unique design. This oversized sweater paired with loose-fit trousers has this season's timeless trend down to a T...or make that sweater. It's an outfit that can be worn in 10 years and still slay — or whatever the term for it will be then.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #7
Bring the effortless sweater dressing vibe into evening by pairing a beige pullover with a floral knee-length skirt. Christopher Kane's neutral sweater already has a dressy vibe thanks to the cut-outs on the arms and the gobstopper-sized brooch. The floral skirt, strappy heels and micro bag simply enhance it.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #8
Play with proportions by pairing an oversized sweater with a miniskirt. An artful front tuck helps tame the bulk.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #9
Leave it to Olivia Palermo to bring some après–ski chic to fashion month. She wisely left the ski pants at the lodge, but recreated a layered look with a long-sleeve black shirt and tights under a white sweater and cropped pants. The furry leopard coat and lace-up ankle booties replace the puffy parka and moon boots.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #10
Bring out that beret along with a nubby sweater to create a chic Parisian-inspired monochromatic look a la the Christian Dior Fall 2017 runway. A cropped oversized sweater paired with a pleated maxi skirt and tonal tall boots keeps the minimalist color palette interesting.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #11
The best sweater outfits are cozy yet chic. If you're pairing an extra-long knit with flowing pants, long and lean is the way to go. An ankle-length coat artfully draped over shoulders adds to the elongated look.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #12
Make like a street style star and balance out a big sweater with a sleek midi skirt — extra points if it's plaid. White V-cut shoes (this season's It silhouette) add a refreshing pop to the darker color palette.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #13
A logo sweater, jeans and sneakers make for an effortless combination. A printed longline jacket adds style points.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #14
The paper-bag waist is having a moment. It works great with crop tops and bralettes, but tucking in a big sweater is a fashion girl-approved trick that hasn't been overplayed. Up the unique layering by wearing a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt in a contrasting color underneath. Then rock some mules, just because.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #15
Love the idea of a borrowed-from-the-boys look, but still want to wear chunky sweaters for women? Buy a sweater one or two sizes bigger than usual and temper the oversized silhouette on top with skinny pants and chunky boots.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #16
Make last season's turtleneck feel like new by wearing it as a base for a big sweater and a masculine coat. Throw on straight-leg jeans and sleek boots. It sounds simple when broken down, but the result is that insouciant French vibe.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #17
Sadly, not all of us can afford Eva Chen's Gucci panther appliqué sweater. But we can still take inspiration from her lewk and pair our high-street version with cropped leather trousers and expensive(-looking) platform sandals.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #18
The ultimate sweater outfit is comfy enough for binge-watching, but still chic enough to dash out to the store for snacks. This oversized sweater and baggy pants combination fits the bill. A leather jacket with shearling collar elevates the pieces without looking out of place.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #19
A printed sweater and sneakers are the perfect daytime foil for shiny patent leather (or vinyl) pants. Whether you tuck in your oversized sweater or let it hang loose is up to you.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #20
Try tucking a loose turtleneck sweater into baggy boyfriend jeans for the ultimate fall casual look. Pointy toe pumps are an unexpected twist.
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How to Style Oversized Sweaters Without Looking Sloppy #21
Bring summer's cold shoulder into fall with a chunky knit. Don't feel like buying a new piece? Rework an oversized sweater with a stretched-out neck. Wear a sheer blouse underneath for a bit of coverage and some textural contrast. Take inspiration from the Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Fall 2017 runway and dress the look up with high-waisted check trousers, sheer tights and heeled sandals.
