I'm all about black sweaters. Turtlenecks, crewnecks, mocknecks. Give me 'em all! Since I never tire of black sweater outfits in cool weather, I thought it wise to shake up my go-to formulas this Fall and, surprisingly, I veered in a very edgy direction. It all started with this supersoft, incredibly versatile, and ultra-affordable black sweater from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [1] — if you've been following along, you might recognize it from this sweater-and-pant outfit [2] and/or this jeans-and-sweater look [3].
Available in five colors, this $37 sweater features a perfect mockneck, balloon sleeves, and an oversize silhouette — it's my ideal layering piece this season. It has a trendy feel to it, but not so much so that it won't be a fixture in my wardrobe for a few years. With an urge to start layering now that the weather is cooling down in New York City, I reached for one of my favorite Summer dresses from Rebecca Taylor's La Vie line and threw the comfy sweater over it. Then, for an edgy twist, I mixed in the coolest pair of black combat boots with crystal detailing from Jimmy Choo, a pink pouch bag from Zara, sheer black tights, and sharp sunglasses.
As the finishing Fall touch, I swiped on our very own Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Racy Liquid Velvet Lip [4] lipstick in Berry Nice, which, I have to say, is very hydrating on the ole pout.
Now, considering my style tends quite feminine and minimal, this outfit would probably seem outside my comfort zone. But with a few fresh elements at play, including the voluminous sleeves on my sweater, the shades of pink via my dress and bag, and the crystal detailing on my boots, I felt true to my personal aesthetic, but with an edgier twist. Most importantly, the sweater-over-dress styling hack is a comfy one I know I'll rewear throughout the season with a range of boots in my wardrobe both for the office and evenings out for dinner and drinks.
Ahead, witness my cozy-cool outfit and shop the exact pieces to re-create it on your own, as well as a few affordable boot options for $100 or less. And be sure to check back as we continue to bring you more easy Fall outfit formulas [5], from the newest dress trends [6] to outfits centered around boots [7] and polished trends you can wear to work [8].
Easy Outfits: A Sweater, a Dress, Boots, and a Bag
When layering a sweater over a dress, opt for an oversize silhouette rather than a fitted one.
Easy Outfits: A Sweater, a Dress, Boots, and a Bag
If your chosen sweater feels a little long or too loose, grab a hair tie, tie it around the hem of your sweater in the front (like you would a ponytail), then tuck the wrapped fabric under to create a cropped look that cinches in at your waist.
The Finishing Touches: Feminine Accessories and a Berry Lip
To give a black sweater a sweeter spin, layer yours over a floral-print dress and mix in feminine accessories like a pink pouch bag and crystal-adorned boots. For a finishing touch that's decidedly Fall, you can't go wrong with a berry-colored lip.
POPSUGAR Balloon-Sleeve Funnel-Neck Sweater
POPSUGAR Balloon-Sleeve Funnel-Neck Sweater [9] ($37, originally $50)
Rebecca Taylor La Vie Print Mix Smocked Dress
Rebecca Taylor La Vie Print Mix Smocked Dress [10] ($375)
Red Hot by Spanx High Waist Shaping Pantyhose
Red Hot by Spanx High Waist Shaping Pantyhose [11] ($18)
Jimmy Choo Cruz Crystal Combat Boot
Jimmy Choo Cruz Crystal Combat Boot [12] ($1,295)
Zara Gathered Leather Crossbody Bag
Zara Gathered Leather Crossbody Bag [13] ($70)
Carolina Lemke Fame Sunglasses
Carolina Lemke Fame Sunglasses [14] ($75)
Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Racy Liquid Velvet Lip
Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Racy Liquid Velvet Lip [15] ($24)
Olivia Miller Hyder Women's Embellished Boots
Olivia Miller Hyder Women's Embellished Boots [16] ($125)
Circus by Sam Edelman Gili Combat Boots
Circus by Sam Edelman Gili Combat Boots [17] ($100)
Madden NYC Keen Women's Combat Boots
Madden NYC Keen Women's Combat Boots [18] ($65, originally $70)