Full-Price Finds: Free People Tunic Sweater
Nov 2, 2021
On Thursday, I ran into a friend in a local wine bar and she was wearing the Free People sweater. When I asked her if she liked it, her response was amusing, but true: “This sweater is a virus. It infects you. Then, suddenly, you own three.” Accurate.
I own this Free People Ottoman tunic in four colors. I wear one of them at least every other day in the winter. My husband refers to it as “that sweater.” I’m not sure he means it as a compliment, but when the sweater is the comfortable and this easy-to-wear, I don’t care.
The Ottoman sweater has sold out every fall for three years running. So here are a few links so you can find the color you want in the size you need:
Bloomingdales // Black and Cream, all sizes (I own both.)
Nordstrom // Several colors, including the awesome, new black raisin.
Free People // Several colors, limited sizes.
As for sizing, the sweater runs large. As a size 6, I can wear the XS or the S with ease. The sweater is designed to look oversized, so if it’s a little too big, it’ll just feed into that.
One of the things I love about this sweater is how well it holds up over time, even with machine washing. Wash it on cold, lay flat to dry, and you’ll be amazed by how well the sweater holds up.
You either love this sweater or hate it. If you love it, by next winter, you’ll own three.
Need a more affordable dupe? This Amazon selection is often mentioned as being very similar. I bought one, it was fine. The cut was slightly different, more swingy, and the durability wasn’t as good. Ultimately, I decided to keep buying the FP originals.
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Hi Abra,
You posted about the cashmere version of this sweater a few weeks (months? time is wibbly-wobbly) ago. Does it hold a similar place in your heart as this version? I’m intrigued by it but hesitant to invest $225.
I bought it to check it out, it was very soft. But my skin has given up on wool, and I couldn’t justify it for the constant neck itching I got.
Both Nordstrom links go to Bloomingdale’s.
Thank you.
Ugh. I just ordered the black raisin color and it’s my fourth sweater over the past two years. I use this sweater so much and it’s really helping my mental health with the covid weight gain.
Really feel like I need one of these… Do you mind sharing which colors you have and which do you wear/like the most? Need to figure out where to start. Thank you!
I have black, cream, twig and navy (which I need to replace because it found it’s way to the dryer). I also owned pine, which I gave to a friend who kept borrowing it.
A virus multiplying in your wardrobe is truly the best description of this sweater.
I keep telling myself that as a petite true-XS sized person, there’s no way the XS in this oversized sweater will fit me… or will it?
One of my friends is a petite Asian woman, she ordered one and shrunk it. I don’t know if it’s worth the risk, but she picked hers up at Poshmark so she wouldn’t have to chance it. She’s 5’2″ and about 90lbs for reference.
Finally broke down and ordered this after reading about it and contemplating it FOREVER.
Any idea how this sweater looks/fits curvy, larger bust women? All the photos I’ve seen are women with smaller average or smaller busts. Oversized looks are harder to wear when you have big boobs and I just can’t wrap my head around this look on my curvy body.
Yes! I have this same issue. I tried this sweater on a couple of years ago (in an XS!) and felt that it made me look enormous. I’m tempted to try again, but fear it’s just not for my busty body type.
I’m 5’4″ 190lbs and 4 months pregnant – I have like an E cup right now, and this is still my favorite sweater. It’s amazing, I generally find the long straight shape to not work on a curvy person, but this one is so flattering. Although I’m generally like a size 14, I wear a large (they really do run big), but I’m even thinking of buying an XL for when I’m very pregnant.
Yup. I bought one (on sale!) last fall. Then immediately started scouring Poshmark and bought a second (which still looked brand new). They are perfect for PNW fall/winters. Will be searching for my 3rd…!
Okay fiiiiine, I’ll finally try it. Ha! That oyster color was too good to resist. Free people express shipping on their app and easy in store returns.
How do I style this sweater for work? I own three (“the virus that has multiplied” is such an apt description), and I feel like I have the look down with jeans and leggings, but figuring it out how to style it for the office continues to perplex me. Open to any/all suggestions!
I have some longer pencil skirts, I will sometimes tuck the front using Extra Petite’s tucking method. https://www.extrapetite.com/2021/10/how-to-tuck-a-chunky-knit-sweater-video-tutorial.html
Same with my wide leg pants.
I broke down and ordered The Sweater from a place with a generous return policy this week. “Surely, it can’t be that good. Surely, Abra was exaggerating. Surely, I will return it.”
I put it on and instantly felt so…pretty. Chic.
It frames my face. It hides the extensive COVID weight gain in the tummy. It makes a shirt and leggings look put together.
I…I may need another four.
I’ve only ever had three people tell me they returned it.