I've Had It With Frumpy Sweaters—36 Off-the-Shoulder Knits I'm Shopping Instead

Confession time… I have a contentious relationship with sweaters. Yes, I'm aware that knitwear is an unspoken requirement for building a winter wardrobe, and there are some knitwear styles that I can't imagine living without—e.g., striped jumpers, turtlenecks, and cashmere knits. But to say that all sweaters are created equal would be a flat-out lie. If we're all honest, some can be, well, frumpy. When living in an ultra-cold climate (like New York City, Paris, or Copenhagen), the last thing you want is for your clothing to make you feel any worse than the weather. Sadly, oversize sweaters do just that. So what's a girl to do? Start by ditching the dowdy sweater silhouettes.
Don't get it twisted. There's a time and place for oversize knits. If you're reading this story, you've likely fretted over how unflattering your knitwear looks for hours. Luckily, there's a solution—off-the-shoulder sweaters. As simple as it might sound, choosing this stylish silhouette over more "practical" styles can make a world of difference. Need proof? Ahead, you'll find a few examples of how fashion people wear this knitwear. Spoiler: They come in every form, from bodysuits to dresses. Plus, I've compiled the 36 best off-the-shoulder sweaters based on quality, versatility, relevance, and price point. If ever you needed the inspiration to finally say "Girl, bye" to your unflattering sweater, consider this is your sign.
I'm happy to report that this knit top is as sleek in person as it is online.
My stomach is in knots over the twisted neckline on this sweater—it's too good.
You've heard of the little black dress. Well, consider this its cousin in sweater form.
The buttons on the bust of this sweater are very beautiful.
A moment of silence for the hardware on this Khaite sweater.
I wouldn't mind spending the rest of winter wearing this off-shoulder jumper.
Draping is always pretty, but the neckline on this sweater is next-level.
Crimson red is the hottest color for fall. (Excuse the pun.)
It doesn't get more flattering than an off-the-shoulder sweater with a sweetheart neckline.
Fuzzy textiles were all over the fall/winter 2023 runways, making this a failproof purchase for the season.
Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn't mean you can't bring the heat.
There's nothing like a rich hue to get you in the mood for fall.
You'll want to zoom in to see the hardware on the neckline of this knit dress.
The compact knit fabric of this dress ensures it's a far cry from frumpy.
With winter just around the corner, why not embrace an all-white look?
Scandinavian brands make the most stylish knitwear—case in point: the dress above.
Live in a warmer climate? Instead of forgoing knitwear altogether, opt for a lightweight version like the one above.
Please stop scrolling for a second to admire the bow detail on this off-the-shoulder sweater. It's worth it, right?
Now, here's a sweater that will actually make you want to RSVP to all those holiday parties.
Dreaming of curling up with a cup of cocoa in this ultra-chic sweater.
The neckline makes this sweater look all the more stylish.
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.
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