The Perfect Sweater Dress

Last week, this dress would have been appropriate in almost any situation (double score because it’s now on sale!) but now it’s 13 degrees with a wind chill and you’ll find me in a Redskins onsie ’til March.

all images Laura Metzler

FREE PEOPLE ZOE SWIT DRESS c/o Bloomingdales (on sale!) | ANN TAYLOR LOFT COAT similar option | SHOEDAZZLE BOOTS similar option sans fringe | MADEWELL BRACELET | REBECCA MINKOFF BAG

This Free People dress made its debut on Thanksgiving since it was billowy enough to hide the three plates of dinner I devoured and made a decent blanket for my post-dinner nap. I figured this would be mostly a lounging dress since it really is quite boxy and ordering a smaller size would make the hem even shorter than it already is. Scandal.

Cut to last week when I had a brunch with girlfriends and was feeling so lazy that I contemplated wrapping myself in a comforter and heading out the front door – I remembered this oversized piece of goodness and reconsidered. But it’s just a little too oversized for my taste. If I were a buck 20 it would be that chic, oversized, model-in-a-cute-oversized-dress look but I reach for this sucker when I don’t feel like dealing with Satan’s mistress: Pants. Ya dig? So, sweater dress it is. But how can I make it look like I’m not trying to hide my extra holiday weight? The sleeves border on dolman, so pairing it with a leather jacket was out of the question. I opted for the same OTK boots I’d paired with it over the holidays and grabbed a cozy, tailored wool coat to add that structure the dress itself lacks. Conclusion: I’ve had this dress since the end of October and I’ve worn it at least once every two weeks since. The quality and comfort level is on point and it’s now on sale for under $200. All in all, the perfect sweater dress.

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