15 Ways to Wear a Sweater with a Skirt, the Perfect Fall Outfit Formula

Two women wearing Ganni striped logo sweater vests, white lacy tops, and neutral skirts

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FYI, sweater weather is officially here, and as we all pull our favorite knitwear from the back of our closet, you may be in search of some new inspiration. A sweater is a versatile piece that's easy to dress up or down, but one of the most iconic pairings is wearing a sweater with a skirt, which creates an easy fall uniform for anywhere and everywhere. In this combo, you have an outfit that's sure to make you feel put-together for work, date night, and running errands, among countless other occasions—all depending on how you style it. Contemplating the type of sweater, skirt silhouette, and styling options can be overwhelming enough to send you into early hibernation, so we've compiled some of our favorite outfit formulas to help. Ahead, see 15 different ways to style a sweater with a skirt for all your fall fashion needs. 

All Vest Up 

Two women wearing pink and green striped Ganni logo sweaters, white lacy shirts, and neutral colored skirts

@lisasaysgah / Instagram

In the early days of autumn, it's not always time for a sweater moment. Luckily, sweater vests are making a major comeback, giving us an easy, stylish option for when we're ready for cozy knitwear vibes but it's too warm for full sleeves. Pair a statement sweater vest with a sheer, lacy shirt and a neutral skort to get you in the fall mood. 

Preppy Meets Sporty 

Bella Hadid wears a blue collared sweater, plaid midi skirt, sneakers, calf-length socks, white handbag, and glasses

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As the world loses its collective mind over the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance rumors (guilty!), it feels especially timely to wear looks that mix preppy and sporty vibes this season. Follow Bella Hadid’s lead by pairing a zip-up sweater with a plaid pencil skirt and some classic Adidas Sambas.

Monochromatic 

Storm Reid wears a dark V-neck sweater, pleated maxi skirt, Prada logo bag, and Mary Jane heels

@stormreid / Instagram

When in doubt, you can't go wrong with an all-black ensemble that instantly makes anyone look chic. We recommend pulling off this look like Storm Reid, with a slightly oversized black V-neck sweater and a full black skirt. Add some gold heels for a pop of color and shine. 

Mix-and-Match 

Sydney Sweeney wears a red and white striped sweater, a red and white checkered skir,t and black boots

@sydney_sweeney / Instagram

Don’t be afraid to integrate patterns into your outfit—in fact, you don’t have to stick to only one, as multiple patterns with a common color scheme can make a cohesive statement. Mix and match by pairing a striped sweater with a checkered skirt for a fun, playful vibe. 

Black, White, and Red (All Over)

Alexis Page wears a black and white striped sweater, black and white color block midi skirt, and scarlet red Mary Jane shoes

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If you don’t want to go too bold, it’s okay to stick to the basics, such as a black-and-white color palette. Pair a black-and-white patterned sweater with a color block skirt to create a bold yet incredibly wearable contrast. Add some scarlet red flats for a pop of color, and you’re ready to go. 

Casual Sparkle 

Woman wearing cable knit sweater with colorful striped trim, sparkly skirt, silver Telfar bag, and black Mary Jane shoes

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Sometimes, all you need is a touch of glitter to brighten your day, and a sparkly skirt layered under a cable knit sweater is a great way to subtly embrace this energy. Pair an untucked white sweater with a sequined pleated skirt and a silver bag to add a little shine to your fall ensemble. 

Fall Favorites 

Ashley Roberts wears a white turtleneck sweater, brown leather midi skirt, and white knee-high boots

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Sometimes, the simplest answer is best when building a sweater and skirt look. Pair your favorite turtleneck with a leather midi skirt to create a look that's soft with a touch of edge and will easily work for any event on your fall agenda. 

Maximalist Moment

Woman wearing brown "Rebel Rebel" graphic sweater, white ruffled skirt, black knee-high boots, belt, and layered necklaces

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When it comes to a simple sweater and skirt outfit combo, you can be as bold as you'd like to turn the look into a statement. Pair a graphic sweater with a ruffled midi skirt for some drama and texture, then add a charm necklace to pull the outfit together. 

Autumnal Mermaid 

Martina Strazzer wears a Philosophy logo sweater, red sequin maxi skirt, and strappy heels

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One of the most popular summer trends this year was mermaidcore, but just because the seasons have changed doesn’t mean we have to go back to dry land. Continue to embrace your inner mermaid by wearing a sequined maxi skirt (think of it as a mermaid tail), and pair it with a statement sweater to create a casual yet ethereal look for fall. 

Go Bold 

Ginta wears a mint green sweater, pink feathered skirt, gold pumps, and oversized sunglasses

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Sequins are far from the only way to create a dramatic outfit. Feathers are trending at the moment, and this detail can really make you stand out in the crowd. Pair a light-colored sweater with a skirt featuring bold sequins and feathers to create a festive, maximalist vibe that can boost your spirit as the days get shorter. 

Fall For Twee

Zooey Deschanel wears a green and black short-sleeved sweater, black voluminous skirt, and green handbag with black tights and boots

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The mid-2010s are back, and they brought their sweater and skirt combinations with them. Twee is making its grand return, as seen on Zooey Deschanel (the queen of twee) at this season's New York Fashion Week. Pair a short-sleeved collared sweater with a flared skirt and some chic ankle boots, then go enjoy some quirky fall activities. 

Navy Baby 

Woman wears navy mock neck sweater, voluminous blue skirt, Chanel logo bag, shield sunglasses, and open-toe black heels

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You can't go wrong with any monochromatic look, but if you want to take a break from black, navy is a good choice for a put-together ensemble that doesn’t require much overthinking. Pair a cropped navy blue sweater with a full denim skirt and some open-toed heels for a standout take on a simple concept. 

Mellow Yellow 

Jourdan Dunn wears a yellow sweater, silky slip skirt, white open-toe heels, and tiny sunglasses

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If you need a pick-me-up as the days get shorter, allow sunny shades of yellow to brighten your day. Pair a cozy sweater with a satin slip skirt for a look you can wear either to the office or on a date.

Get Nautical 

Bella Poarch wears a striped long-sleeve polo top, pleated navy mini skirt, gray knee-high socks, and pointed Mary Janes

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Despite it being autumn, we’re still embracing beachy vibes as we move from one season to the next. Listen to 1989 (Taylor’s Version) while wearing a striped sweater and micro pleated skirt to help you enjoy the last warm days of the season. 

Tangled in Tulle 

Woman wears long black tulle skirt, patterned sweater, pinstriped button-down, green Guess bag, and black platform loafers

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As we get deeper into sweater weather, we're tempted to break out our most festive knits, even before the holidays arrive. Add a little drama to a fair isle style by pairing it with a full tulle skirt for a show-stopping look. 

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