Sweater coats are my new trend this season. I always love winter coats; and there are many styles to choose from: cocoon coats, pea coats, military coats, duffle coats, swing coats, and lots more. I have pretty much all of the styles just mentioned. It never crossed my mind that sweater coats would be something I like until I was forced to try one on. I’d discovered that they are truly multi-purpose fashion items. Besides using them as winter coats, they are perfect transitional pieces for Spring and Fall weather. In colder days they can be good layer pieces for wearing under a parka or a wool coat to provide extra warmth.
One of the great things about sweater coats is they are very comfortable. Unlike ordinary wool coats, sweater coats are not as structured so I feel they are not as “restricted”. They are kind of like a combination of sweater, cardigan, and coat. They have the coziness of sweater, the versatility of cardigan, and the warmth of coat. There are couple things will determine the look of your sweater coats: fibers, collars, and colours. Choosing fibers is the first thing you need to think about because different fibers can affect the thickness and comfort level of the coats. You have lots to choose from: wool, wool blends, cashmere, acrylic, cotton blends etc. So it is very important to think about what are your needs and what season is it for. Then collars also need to be take into consideration because it depends how dressy/casual you want your coat to be. For example a shawl collar sweater coat will look less dressy than one with a notch collar. In terms of colour, natural tones like black, grey and white are always good choices since they will go well with any other colours. But don’t be afraid to try something different; you can wear any colour as long as you pair your sweater coat with the right wardrobe.
I have been wearing my sweater coat on days I am being lazy and don’t feel like dressing up. I would just throw on my sweater coat with a t-shirt, a pair of distressed jeans and ankle boots then I am good to go. I do find that the most figure flattering is to have the length ended at somewhere just below the hip to anywhere just above the knee. I love the no closure style so the coat would hang straight down because it helps to make my body looks longer/taller. Sweater coats pretty much can be worn with anything and everything for any occasions. They are definitely a great investment!
Coat (Aritzia; similar at Aritzia); Shirt (Aritzia; similar at Aritzia); Jeans (J Brand)
Putting sleeveless and turtleneck together is a contradiction. I know what you are probably thinking – why wear a sleeveless turtleneck sweater when it kind of defects the purpose of keeping warm with no sleeves on. At first I was thinking the same thing and I wasn’t sure should I give it a shot. But of course I convicted myself to give it a try (as always…) and keep an open mind. And once again I fall in love with the very first sleeveless turtleneck I tried (kind of predictable…). Since the purchase of my first one, I have been keeping my eye out for these turtlenecks.
Sleeveless Turtleneck sweaters are the perfect transitional piece – from Fall to Spring. They are kind of like a hybrid of chunky turtleneck sweater and vest; and they are suitable for the awkward, unpredictable in-between weather in Spring and Fall. Depends on how you are going to wear the turtleneck and what you are going to wear the turtleneck with, you can use it in a range of temperatures. It will give you the warmth and coziness you need but without making you overheated. You can wear it as is or you can also pair it with a long sleeve shirt underneath, which is what I usually do. With a long sleeve shirt inside it will help to keep you warmer during winter time. I usually have a black or white shirt just because it’s easier to mix and match with a turtleneck of any colour. If you don’t mind some skin showing, wearing a sleeveless turtleneck without shirt underneath will give you a totally different look.
You can wear your sleeveless turtleneck sweaters with many things; you just have to pay attention to the proportions and details. If you look for a simply look, pair them with leggings or skinny jeans. If you want a trendy yet more business casual look, try them with culottes or loose fitted pants/trousers; or if you want a more sophisticated look, wear with a fitted midi skirt. One of the reasons I love wearing my sleeveless turtlenecks is without the thick sleeves like regular sweaters I get to wear my jacket on top. Especially with leather jacket, the shape is always so fitted and it’s close to impossible to wear something with big/thick sleeves inside. So these sleeveless turtlenecks save my life because I don’t have the restriction and I have one less thing to worry about! Believe me sleeveless turtleneck sweater is something you need to owe if you don’t have one already.
Sweater (Aritzia); Long sleeve shirt (Aritzia; similar at Aritzia); Leggings (Aritzia); Booties (Zara)
One of the great things about winter is I get to wear all the nice clothes – sweaters, coats, boots, scarves, beanies etc. I have lots of sweaters in my closet (I am serious. I have many of them!). I like all kinds of sweaters, loose or tight, long or short, thick or thin. But I have to admit that oversized sweaters are definitely the ones I wear the most. Oversized knits are the label of warmth, coziness, and comfort. To me nothing is better than wearing an oversized chunky knit and having a hot drink in a cold winter day. I know oversized sweaters might not be your first choice but there are lots of great stuff you can get from these sweaters.
Oversized sweaters are great for mix and matching or layering. You might think oversized knits are too loose fit and they look very casual; but you can get different looks and it all depends on how you wear your sweaters. Proportion is very important when it comes to oversized sweaters. You don’t want to look too sloppy in your sweaters and make yourself look like wearing a potato sack. You can always pair a belt with your sweaters to show off your waistline and give you a nice silhouette. And oversized sweaters look great with almost everything. You will never go wrong pair them with skinny jeans or leggings which would give you a classic look. If you are going for chic, leather (or faux leather) pants and sweaters are perfect match; If you want something sexy and classy, you can always pair with mini skirts or pencil skirts. You still have lots of other options such as midi skirts, trousers, boot-cut jeans etc. Think about the length and the thickness of the sweaters and compared to your body shape so you know what’s best to wear for the bottom part.
For girls who are petite like me, a longer oversized sweater can even turn into a sweater dress! I love to belt it up and wear it with a pair of over-the-knee boots since it gives me a more dressy look. If you don’t mind layering, wearing a solid colour button down underneath can add a different element to your stylish look. Because of the oversized fit and chunky material, I usually don’t wear a coat with it to avoid making me look too “heavy”. So I just put on my blanket scarf as my outerwear to keep me warm yet stylish. And of course a pair of heels can always elevate the sweater look. Next time you wear your oversized sweaters, think outside the box and you may surprise yourself!
Sweater (Aritzia); Jeans (Citizens of Humanity; similar at Citizens of Humanity); Heels (Zara; similar at Steve Madden)
I started to wear vests is only the past 2-3 year thing. I remember that I hesitated to even try one on because I wasn’t sure is it my style. After I tried one on I realized vests are something that would look great on everyone. I love to wear my faux far/Sherpa vests in winter because they can keep me extra warm and cozy. I used to get my vests just in black because black is a “safe colour”. Until I tried on a lighter colour I found out that other colours could be just as nice as long as I pair them with the right outfit.
There are different styles you can get from vests depends on the materials, colours, and prints. Vests are not just a piece of clothing; they are also an accessory to your outfits. They are very versatile and fashionable. You pretty much simply put on a vest then it would add a different look to your outfit. You have lots of materials/textures you can choose from: leather, faux fur, faux Sherpa/fleece, denim, polyester, wool etc. Fabrics play an important role since they affect the look of your vests. And you make sure you choose a fabric you feel comfortable in too. Besides of the look you desire, you need to think about the functional part: what is the occasion for, what weather you use it for, and what details you want such as zippers or buttons.
Like I just said vests can add a different look to your outfits; and they are perfect for layering. You can wear vests with almost anything and you would look good with all the looks. First you think about what looks you are going for: sexy, casual, retro, classic, trendy, or feminine. Then you have to determine what you are wearing with the vests. Yes vests are very versatile but there are certain things you don’t want to layered with vests. To avoid looking too “bulky”, you don’t wear a chunky knit underneath. Also think about the body proportions because you need a vest that helps complementing your body. For instance, longer vests help create curves around the hip or vests with a string or belt help define the waistline. If you don’t have a vest, add one to your wardrobe. You can do a lot with it so don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
Vest (Aritzia); Sweater (Aritzia); Jeans (JBrand); Booties (Zara; similar at Aldo)
Not too long ago I talked about skinny jeans; and for the past while skinny jeans are the only kind of denims I have wore. I always have a pair of flare jeans in my closet but I didn’t think about wearing it. The last time I wore flares was when I was still in high school; and I remember back then I was a big fan of That ’70s Show. I recall I was watching the show and thinking “wow I wish I lived in the 70s so I could wear all the cool clothes”.
Flare jeans are very flattering – giving nice curve on the hip and elongating the legs. I have been wearing skinny jeans for too long and I forgot how comfortable it is to not have anything tight around the ankles. Because of the wide leg, many people might hesitate on what tops to wear with. Flare jeans are just like any other pair of jeans which you can pretty much pair them with anything. For a weekend outfit, wear with a white t-shirt; for a casual Friday look, you can wear with a white button down with a blazer; for a chic look, pair with a cropped top. You can always put on a belt or a hat to enhance the whole ’70s look.
An important thing you have to keep in mind is the length of your flare jeans. You don’t want them to be too long or too short so you need to think about what kind of shoes you are going to wear them with. You might have to hem your jeans for whatever shoes you wear with so your flares won’t be too long which could make you tripped or make the outfit looks sloppy. And you can wear almost any shoes with flares: sneakers, heels, chunky sandals, wedges, clogs, or flats. If you have a pair of flare jeans sitting in your closet, you should take it out and wear it. Then you will remember how comfy and awesome the flares are!
Jeans (J Brand); Blouse (Aritzia); Hat (Aritzia)
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