10 New Ways to Style Your Old Sweater

The bone-chilling winter weather doesn’t leave much room for wardrobe creativity. Our number one priority when getting dressed? Staying warm–which means our coziest sweaters are in heavy rotation, and they’re starting to feel like old news.

But what we’ve forgotten is that sweaters create myriad sartorial possibilities. Versatile, stylish and warm? Yes, please. Olivia Palermo had the right idea! So before you grudgingly reach for a simple sweater-and-jeans combo tomorrow morning, brush up on our fresh styling tips that’ll leave you falling back in love with your chunky knits. 

We’re used to wearing simple blouses or T-shirts under blazers, but they look unbelievably chic when layered over a sweater instead. Here’s the trick: choose a sweater that has a flattering shape and shows your figure modestly (this isn’t the right way to style your favourite Christmas sweater). Then, choose a long, loose-fitting blazer in a bright colour. We love the idea of powder blue–it’s fresh, unexpected and a huge trend for spring. 

Forever 21 Must-Have Blazer, $36.

Any sweater looks infinitely more stylish with a chambray shirt layered underneath. It’s the perfect way to add another element to a typical sweater and jeans outfit while remaining casually cool. Take a tip from Parisian ladies’ laissez-faire stylebook and roll up the sleeves of your chambray shirt a couple times, then push them up to your elbows. Let the shirt hang out of the bottom of your sweater for an effortlessly polished look that’s slightly undone. 

H&M Denim Shirt, $30.

Here’s a thought: layer a sweater over one of your little summer dresses with opaque tights. Not only will it double your winter wardrobe options, but suddenly your sweaters will feel infinitely more cool and entirely new when worn over a cute summer dress.

ASOS Daisy Skater Dress, $94.

Just because you have to wear a bulky winter coat every day, doesn’t mean you can’t wear a light, chic jacket underneath as part of your outfit. While a cropped jean jacket or moto jacket would look great, varsity jackets are where it’s at for spring. The retro silhouette, fun colours and old-school vibe make the varsity jacket the perfect layering piece to breathe new life into your old sweaters. 

GAP Bomber Jacket, $78.

Accessorizing with a necklace is a great way to jazz up a sweater. For the most flattering results, pay attention to the shape of your sweater when choosing what necklace to wear. High-neck sweaters like turtlenecks and crew necks look best with short statement necklaces, while low-neck sweaters like V-necks and boat necks look best with long, pendant necklaces. 

Banana Republic Poppy Link Necklace, $74 (left) and J.Crew Factory Pendant Necklace, US $17 (right).

Turn a shapeless, figure-hiding sweater into a flattering shirt with the addition of a skinny belt by wrapping it around the smallest part of your waist. Opt for a belt in a bright colour or pattern to brighten up your winter wardrobe. 

J.Crew Factory Leather Loop Belt, US $23.

Treat your sweater like you would a blouse and tuck it into high-waisted paints or skirts. It will help create shape, show off your figure and provide a boost of confidence that hiding under a billowy sweater tends to take away. 

ASOS Midi Skirt, $42.

Big, colourful chandelier earrings are just the thing to make your old sweaters ooze style again. Choose a pair with bright colours in a notice-me length to add a feminine spin on any ratty old sweater. These bright babies would even make your high-school mascot sweater feel fresh again.

Zara long Rhinestone Earring, $20.

Swap tank tops for chic collared shirts under your sweaters. The collar peeking out helps define the neckline and frame the face in a way that sweaters alone can’t. Any collared shirt from your closet would work here. Think patterned, bejewelled, a pop of colour or even crisp white. 

Old Navy Pink Bike Printed Shirt, $20.

A big, chunky knit scarf is the easiest (and coziest) way to breathe new life into an old sweater. Instead of wearing a thin crepe scarf indoors, just keep your winter scarf on inside. Wrap it around your neck multiple times for a boho-chic look.

 Asos Plaid Scarf, $56.