My Favourite Winter Garment: The Sweater Dress!

It's cold outside, and our thoughts have turned to how to stay warm and cosy this winter! One of my favourite clothing items is the sweater dress - you can dress it up with heels for work or play, or dress it down with flat boots or even over skinny jeans or leggings. It also has great potential for layering - slip a long sleeved t-shirt underneath, or throw a gilet or long wool cardigan over the top.

We've put together some outfits centering around sweater dresses, beginning with this one that is a funky day look. You could easily switch out the boots for flat ballet pumps if you're not up for 4-inch heels (shame on you!)... I love this Alice + Olivia bag which is just the perfect casual autumn/winter accessory.

Moving on to a work-appropriate look - just because it's winter doesn't mean we have to do head-to-toe black. In fact, the three of us were totally called out on that yesterday by Perri. It's easy to get stuck in the rut of dark clothes, but by being bold with colour you'll really stand out in the crowd. Again, for me this outfit is all about the bag - another little Temperley number coincidentally! I love this sailor-inspired dress available on the Outnet.

Finally, sweater dresses can also be super-sexy, as fine knits will cling to your every curve (Spanx anyone?)... If you're lucky enough to still be sporting vestiges of your summer tan, shimmy your golden limbs into this sparkly number and dare to bare. Bold accessories such as this cute lip bracelet and fierce feather cape will turn up the heat. Not sure if the cape would have any kind of warming effect, but I really want one!

Daytime Casual (clockwise from top left): Vince Shawl; Crumpet Sloppy Joe Cashmere Sweater; Alice + Olivia Bag; Taylor Studded Peep Toe Booties.

Workaday Pretty (clockwise from centre): Thread Social Wool boucle sweater dress; Orange Chalcedony Drop Earrings; Marc by Marc Jacobs Coat; Temperley London Electric Hobo Bag; Silver Studded Platform Shoes.

Slinky Evening (clockwise form centre): Stella McCartney Dress; Topshop Feather Collar; Alaia Shoes from the Outnet; Lip Bracelet from ASOS.