Style inspiration

How to style your chunky sweaters

It has been so chilly here in London since I returned from France that I have been wearing my navy MeandEm chunky navy sweater nearly every day. Now reduced to £94, only size 14 left in navy. Still available in cream and khaki.

I wear it mostly under my parkas or winter coats. On the odd occasion when the sun has shone I have been able to wear it on its own. As the days lengthen and hopefully the temperatures begin to rise I will be able to wear it as an outer layer more often. I envisage keeping it in my wardrobe for at least another three months before I pack it away for the Summer.

As it is a long tunic style sweater I have played around with how I style it. I am wearing it here with a narrow belt. Belts are coming back into fashion as an on-trend accessory, having been out of favour since the 80s. I am lucky in that I have a smallish waist.and provided I don’t pull the belt too tight I find that it works. If you are curvier around the middle or petite this may not be a good look for you. You can see how I wore it without the belt in an earlier post. 

I have teamed my sweater with a pair of straight leg navy trouser. Straighter or wider trousers are beginning to return after many years of the “skinnies” taking centre stage. If you are petite I would advise sticking to a narrower leg trouser.

Hoop earrings (similar) and pearl bracelets Claudia Bradby.

The photo above was taken by Laura Hines in Battersea Park London.  Follow her on Instagram

If you live in a cold climate and are still in the market for a classic sweater that will last you several years I have done research and below are my recommendations:

WoolOvers navy cashmere rollneck  Ted Baker navy roll neck  Finery have a lovely red chunky sweater  Baukjen have a gorgeous pink chunky roll neck 

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

View Comments

  • That’s a great look on you Josephine. Definitely worth a try though my waist is not as slender as yours!

  • Hi Josephine, I’ve just recently started following you, I love your style. Could you tell me what height you are and what size you wear please. Love the jumper.

    • Hi Judith
      I am 5'7" or 170cm and I normally wear a size 12. Sometimes I wear a size 10 on the top depending on the cut.

      • Hi Josephine, It was good to see information on sizing. Given that this particular sweater is stated as really oversized, did you find that you needed to size down in it?. I think it's great on you and I love that you were able to style it so successfully with your belt.

        • Hi Kari

          I tried both the 10 and the 12 navy sweater. The size 10 fitted me however I particularly wanted it oversized so took the 12. I felt that the 12 hung better as I have quite wide hips. If you have a straighter figure a size down would be fine.

          I think I may have to get it dry cleaned otherwise with the weight of water it might grow. I normally wash all of my sweaters.

  • Absolutely love & look forward to seeing your blog in my mailbox. All the sources you mention are helpful. It would be great if you could mention more styling suggestions for those of us who are short and rounder. Your bright coat blog was uplifting especially for our snowy, cold days. Thanks!

  • Love the look Josephine, also think your hair looks great at this length! This is definitely going to be shown to my stylist, who's amazing, on my next visit. My hair is a very similar colour to yours, and gets several comments. Always love your look but am unable to carry some off because I am definitely a 'petite'. Love your inspiring blogs. Thank you so much,

  • Thank you for all your lovely comments. I hear you about the "petites". I am going to do some research together with my colleague, who is petite. I will then put together a couple of outfit suggestions and some tips on how to look good as a petite.

  • This is such a chic outfit, Josephine. I am a big fan of navy blue. It's a color that anyone can wear successfully and is much softer than black. I have a navy blue sleeveless sheath that I wear all the time. Can dress it up and dress it down w/just a few accessories. You look lovely in this ensemble. Make the most of your waist. As I always say -- A waist is a terrible thing to waste! We don't have them forever.

    It's been absolutely frigid here on the east coast (US). as well. I've been wrapping up when I go out as if I'm preparing for the Iditarod.

    Cheers, M-T (The French Touch)

  • I just bought a VELVET BLUE BELT!Have NO idea what I will do with it but maybe YOU have inspired me!However, I am BIGGER THAN YOU so we shall see!
    YOU look GREAT in BLUE!

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