Ask Belle: Under-$50 Sweater Dresses
Oct 20, 2014
Dear Belle,
Thank you so much for turning me onto sweater dresses with leggings. I wear them every weekend from October to March because they are so comfortable and snugly. I get bored though, so I prefer to buy cheap dresses and then donate them to Goodwill after a couple of months. Can you help me find some new dresses for $50 or less?
I’m so glad you kept blogging while in school! Thank you, PM
Sweater dresses are a versatile option. You can wear them with leggings on the weekends or with tights on casual workdays. They’re also a great option for traveling if you add a big scarf and some comfy flat boots. Here are a few under-$50 dresses that caught my eye.
Longsleeve Shift Sweater Dress ($30)
This sweater dress from Target is awesome. In comes in two color block combos (this ivory one and a black and grey one) and in two different stripes patterns. Target also offers this Textured Sweater Dress in eight gorgeous colors. And don’t miss this Drop-waist Sweater Dress in a soft grey, black or slate blue. Target also offers a couple of sweater dresses in plus-size.
LOFT offers this cable sweater dress in four fall hues for $90. It has a shirt tail hem, so it’s more of a casual option. Back in the under-$50 range, I like this Choies sweater dress with a cool, dotted pattern. This Calvin Klein asymmetrical-neck sweater dress option is really chic.
I love the target dress (the color blocked one) but it’s all sold out (at least in smalls and extra smalls). SO SAD.
That sweater dress is from Target? I need that in my closet ASAP.
… and in the middle of writing this I just saw the top comment saying it’s sold out. Sadness.
The Old Navy Fit & Flare sweater dress is awesome. If you’re over 5’6, I highly recommend getting it in the “tall” size. https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41738&vid=2&pid=118765032
Old Navy has been KILLING it with sweater dresses lately, from body con styles to fit and flares, colorblocking and more. They also offer cute sweater dresses in plus sizes, which is awesome. And they’re all under $40
Can someone please school me on the appropriate way to wear and style a sweater dress? When we say “pair with leggings,” are we talking thicker “workout” leggings like those from Zella? Do you wear legs with flat boots? Tights and flats? Tights and heels? I’d like to incorporate some sweater dresses into my wardrobe but don’t want to look like a total dud or inappropriate. If there’s a post about this that I missed maybe someone can link to it for me. Thanks all and Belle!
I usually wear sweater dresses with opague tights and booties, though depending on the dress, I will also wear with black leggings and tall riding boots. I think either is very appropriate and flattering.
If the weather is cold, I’ll wear sweater dresses with my Zella leggings, since those are so thick and matte. I will NOT wear them with my Nike running leggings, which are kind of shiny technical fabric and look like workout wear. I do flat tall boots or stacked-heel ankle boots for shoes.
If it’s not freezing, I’ll wear sweater dresses with opaque tights plus boots (of any sort), heels, or flats.
I think you just have to try on some different combos and figure out what works for your style, your life, your workplace, and your body.
Belle – PLEASE no more posting something that is sold out. SO frustrating!
It wasn’t sold out when I looked it up less than 24-hours ago. I know it must be frustrating, but there is no way for me to write posts on the weekends and come back every day/half day to see if they’re sold out. Also, sometimes something was available when the post went live and readers purchasing it is the reason it sells out.
This dress was available last night at 10:30PM-ish when I wrote it. I had no reason to suspect it wouldn’t be available for more than a few minutes after the post went up. There’s no way for me to know what the stock is like unless a size is sold out, or like Boden, they list when something is low stock. Neither was the case with the dress.
Whoa – so defensive!
Not defensive, just explaining.
For the record – that was different “anon” with the defensive comment. I truly appreciate you taking the time explain the issue – and it makes sense you write the blog posts ahead of time. Thanks Belle!
It has happened a couple of times to me too. But, once I bought a dress then an hour later when I went to check on another size for a friend it was sold out! Then once, I took too long to think about it and missed out. Belle just sometimes knows what we want to see or will work and that is why we come to this blog.
Yeah, you cannot blame Belle for the items being sold out! As heartbroken as I was when I realized it was sold out, there’s not much she can do. I feel like Target sells out of stuff especially quickly (as does Old Navy).