Five Ways to Make a Comfy, Cozy Sweater Look Stylish

Admit it, you have at least one comfy, cozy sweater in your closet.  It’s okay, trust me, I think everyone should have comfy clothes, like sweaters, sick pants and other less-than-stylish items that we rely on in times when we really don’t want to think about looking fashionable.

But what about those in-between times when we want to be casual and cozy yet don’t want to look like a slob?  With the casualization of America, it’s more than normal to have the typical weekend or relaxed day-to-day look be a sweater and a pair of jeans.  When it comes to these sorts of outfits is it possible to have a sweater look stylish?  It sure is.

In today’s post in this series, I am going to create five looks using this super casual and basic sweater from Athleta to show you how you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style.  All it takes are a few finishing maneuvers and an attention to color combining to pull it off.  Trust me, being stylish and comfortable doesn’t have to be an oxymoron.  Here are five looks to prove it.

Five ways to make a comfy, cozy sweater look stylish

Look #1

To get the most out of a comfy sweater, I suggest you have a few that are neutral in color.  The shade doesn’t matter.  In a neutral shade a sweater can be more easily mixed-and-matched.  In this case, I styled it with a pair of teal corduroys from Patagonia.  Teal is an extremely versatile shade that works with just about any other color it is paired with.  Here, I chose a yellow Modcloth handbag.  By choosing to pop shades the outfit is more interesting, yet very comfortable looking.  The outfit is finished with a grey pair of Clark’s booties and a teal pair of earrings.  As you can see there is nothing overly styled or uncomfortable looking in this outfit.  It is simply the play on color that makes it look pulled together and not sloppy.Look #2

Next, we can look at a typical pairing- a sweater and skinny jeans.  If this has become your go-to weekend look you’re certainly not alone.  To warm up the look and make it more weekend rugged and stylish, I chose a cognac pair of boots by Sam Edelman (which I own and love), a cognac handbag by Vince Camuto and earrings by Stella & Dot, with a hint of blue, and a Charles Albert gold cuff bracelet.  The color combining of cognac and gray is not only rich looking but this outfit proves, that even on the weekends or when you want a more relaxed look, accessorizing can make a huge difference in how pulled together you look.

Look #3

Another go-to pairing with a big, comfy sweater is a pair of leggings.  I know this is how I like to dress when I want to relax.  Again, it takes only a bit of effort to make this outfit more stylish.  By just using a shoe in a pop color, like this pair from Vince Camuto, a fun tote bag and the same teal earrings used in the first look, the outfit is relaxed, yet interesting.

Look #4

Now, perhaps you want to wear your sweater in a way that looks a little more dressed up.  Piece of cake.  Here, I styled the sweater with an olive pair of skinny cargos and a heeled pair of boots by Steve Madden.  With the same cognac bag from the second look, the outfit has a richness that looks polished, yet relaxed.  Again, color can be a big part in making a look appear more finished and these orange and gold earrings by Blu Bijoux adds a punch, as does the Banana Republic gold and cognac bracelet.

Look #5

Lastly, like the first look, I am using a pair of dark pink pants patterened from Boden which, again, shows why a neutral sweater is a versatile route to go.  Even with a pair of these UGG sneakers, the outfit is stepped up with a pink tonal handbag from Banana Republic and a small touch of contrasting color in the green earrings from Blu Bijoux.  As I always like to say, when in doubt, go green with your accessories.  Green will always work as a contrast pop with any color you may be wearing.

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