Busbee – Fashion Over 40

Chic Winter Sweaters

The high temp this week in Telluride, CO was 22 degrees with the low being 9 degrees. That’s pretty darn cold! So, you know I’m not leaving the house without being bundled up. But bundling up doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for function. Noooo…you can look chic AND stay warm this winter. As stylish women over 40, we want to wear chic winter sweaters that fit and flatter our bodies and will also keep us toasty warm. Below I’m sharing some of my favorite winter sweaters this season and some tips for finding fashionable sweaters that don’t swallow you up or make you feel frumpy or dowdy.

#1) Brochu Walker Fair Isle Sweater

Let’s start off with this pretty Brochu Walker fair isle sweater. It’s so soft, comfortable, and cozy. And the neutral colors are just gorgeous! The sweater is wool so it’s incredibly warm but not too bulky. And, it’s not itchy! It skims the body without being fitted and without too much extra material…so you can still layer it under a coat. In fact, in this post, you can see how I styled this sweater with my favorite teddy coat. I’m wearing it here with straight-leg, high-rise AG jeans that I’ve been wearing on repeat! They’re a more relaxed cut so they’d be perfect for you to try if you are looking to move away from your skinny jeans. On my feet, I’m wearing some older, brown Paige booties but I found a similar pair here if you’re interested.

You can use my code, ‘ERIN15’, for 15% off this sweater or anything on the Borchu Walker site here. (Limited sizes available in the sweater.)

Fair isle sweaters are very on trend right now! Here are a few others I’m loving if you want to shop the trend.

#2) IRO V-Neck Sweater

Next up is this IRO merino wool sweater, in this beautiful champagne shade. When I first got this sweater, I underestimated how much I’d wear it! It’s very easy to style with everything from jeans to pants and skirts, but you could also throw it over a dress and even layer a crisp white blouse underneath. The strategic ribbing and v-neck are both incredibly flattering. The neckline is perfect for framing a pretty necklace like the one I’m wearing from Dean Davidson. I also love the puff shoulder and shorter hemline. It hits right at the waist of my SLVRLAKE high-rise jeans and the banded detail at the waist creates the illusion of a slimmer silhouette! Unfortunately, sizing is limited in the champagne-colored sweater, but it also comes in black which would be another great staple. Here are a few sweaters with similar lovely details.

#3) Tory Burch Rib Knit Pullover

This beautiful Tory Burch sweater has a cool, avant-garde feel because of the way it’s shaped. It has a mock neck, dolman sleeves, is cropped, and has super flattering ribbing (both vertical and horizontal) throughout the body and down the arms. The thick banded waist gives you that same nip in at the waist as the IRO sweater in #2, but it’s even more pronounced! I’ve worn this sweater with the matching midi skirt, but it also looks great with jeans. The material is a cotton blend so this would be a great option if you can’t wear wool or cashmere either due to allergies or hot flashes. I also really appreciate the loose, mock neck which I tend to gravitate more toward than a traditional turtleneck (more on that in the tips section below!).  Here are a few sweaters with similar cuts and/or details.

This Tory Burch matching set was one of my favorite finds this winter. You can read more about it and why I love it in this post.

Tips for Finding a Chic Winter Sweater

When I’m shopping for sweaters, there are a few tips and tricks I keep up my sleeve (literally!) and top of mind. Not all sweaters are created equal…And if you’re looking for a warm winter sweater that will fit and flatter your body, and look chic, but not overwhelm your frame, there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind.

• Fabric – Wool, cashmere, and cashmere blends are very warm. Sweaters made from lightweight cashmere in particular are great for layering under jackets and coats.
• Details – I look for both interesting and flattering details like a v-neck, balloon sleeve, puff shoulder, strategic/slimming ribbing, texture, and ribbed cuffs to name a few. Smart details like these will help break up the fabric of the sweater and look more luxe.
• Neckline – I mentioned v-necks above (which I love) but I’ve also been gravitating toward mock neck sweaters more than traditional turtleneck sweaters where the neck is on the more fitted side. These tend to highlight, not camouflage, the loose skin on my neck as I get older.
• 2 in 1 – I also LOVE a two-in-one or layered look sweater like the blue Alice + Olivia sweater I’m wearing above. They’re interesting, chic, and take all the guesswork and discomfort out of layering a top under your sweater.

More Sweaters to Love

Keep scrolling for more sweaters I’m loving in warm fabrics, with interesting details, and fabulous necklines!

So, how cold was it this week in your hometown? Please share in the comments and we’ll see how low you can go! I can’t be the only one bundling up.
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