Sleeveless sweaters are a little misunderstood if you ask me. I wasn’t sure how to style them for a long time because I never really saw them as practical. However, once I gave them a chance, I realized they’re a total closet hero. A sleeveless sweater is versatile, and that’s reason enough to have at least one in your closet. They’re perfect for layering throughout the fall, winter, and spring, and there are tons of ways to style them. If you’re wondering how to style a sweater vest, this post is also for you!
I use affiliate links throughout this blog post, which means I might make a commission if you use my link and then make a purchase. This commission comes at no cost to you.
I’m wearing my favorite sleeveless sweater under my button down for added warmth. Here are a few others I love. I own the first two.
How to Style a Sleeveless Sweater
Sleeveless sweaters can look bulky or awkward if they’re styled incorrectly. If you layer them with the right pieces, though, your outfit will be stylish and effortless! My go-to sleeveless sweaters are both neutral colors in lightweight yet warm cashmere. They layer so easily because they aren’t bulky. For example, you can tuck each sweater into pants or a skirt and add another layer on top without feeling frumpy or like a snowman.
What To Wear With A Sleeveless Sweater
There are so many options when it comes to styling a sleeveless sweater, and I’m going to talk about wearing them with a button up, a v-neck sweater, and more. I just want to highly recommend the grey sweater I’m wearing throughout this post because you can see how many outfits you can style around it. It’s also $60 cashmere that has held up incredibly well for me. I’ve packed it for so many trips and worn it throughout every season except summer. I’ve even been surprised at just how much I wear it.
Cropped Jacket or Jacket in general
Okay, a jacket is a broad category, but that’s intentional. More specifically, a jacket is the perfect thing to layer over a sleeveless sweater during transitional seasons, so during the spring and fall. Think a suede jacket, leather jacket, denim jacket, or even a cotton one. As you can see, you can also wear a jacket as your final layer over a sleeveless sweater that’s already layered with a button up – or something else – for extra warmth!
V-neck Sweater
A mockneck sleeveless sweater is the perfect thing to wear under a v-neck sweater to make it professional or just cozy. I recommend tucking in the sleeveless sweater so your two sweaters don’t look bulky layered together. You can see this outfit in the outfit section below!
Blazer
Any type of blazer is an easy layer to wear over your sleeveless sweater. This works any time of the year, but it’s a great way to style a sleeveless sweater in the fall and spring when you don’t need two layers with long sleeves.
Crewneck Sweater
I love to layer a sleeveless sweater that’s a turtleneck or mockneck under a crewneck sweater. It looks super chic and effortless, and it will keep you extra warm. This type of outfit looks really good with necklaces.
You can also go for a sleeveless crewneck sweater to achieve the same look as wearing a t-shirt under your crewneck, but a sleeveless sweater will be warmer.
Button Up Shirt
This might not seem as obvious, but a button up shirt is the perfect layer to wear over a sleeveless sweater. It’s also one way to style a sweater vest – just layer the button up under your sweater.
Tips on How To Style Sleeveless Sweaters
Like I mentioned, these tips and outfits work for how to style a sweater vest too.
When to tuck in your sleeveless sweater
Tuck in your sleeveless sweater to add a polished look to your outfit. It’s also a good idea to tuck in the sweater if you’re wearing it under other sweaters to avoid any bulky look or feeling.
You can leave your sleeveless sweater untucked if want to style a sweater vest outfit! I love to wear my same sleeveless grey sweater over a button up blouse to style it as a sweater vest.
How to style an oversized sleeveless sweater
An oversized sleeveless sweater is perfect to style as a sweater vest for warmer weather. You can wear it untucked with a skirt, a pair of linen-blend pants, or cotton pants. I love the barrel pants that are coming out in lightweight materials for spring. They’d look so good with this sleeveless crewneck sweater. You can wear this type of look again in the fall with jeans.
Sleeveless Sweater Outfits
Button up and a sleeveless sweater
A button up and sleeveless sweater is one of the easiest, effortless outfits you can put together. It’s a polished, elevated look but with minimal effort. It’s also one of those outfits you can wear anywhere – in the office, for a video call, for travel, or for appointments. You get the idea! I wore this outfit and other buttons up with the same sleeveless sweater on several days throughout our trip to the UK.
The loafers are similar! I also linked some other jacket options I love.
V-neck sweater and sleeveless sweater
A mockneck sweater is an easy solution to adding more warmth to your outfit when it’s really cold. I wore this right before a snow storm, and I was so warm! I was also wearing a jacket, but took it off for the photo. Anyway, the long sleeve sweater is by a totally different brand, but these two grey sweaters worked perfectly together. I wore the sleeveless sweater tucked into my jeans to avoid it looking bulky under my other sweater. I wore the long sleeve sweater untucked. This is also a tip to remember when you layer with a crewneck sweater.
The boots are similar.
Stirrup Pants and a Button up or sweater
These pants are so fun, and they look great with a sleeveless sweater. You can layer with an oversized button up like I did, a blazer, or a jacket! You could also wear a crewneck sweater over the sleeveless sweater for a cozy outfit. I’d choose a slightly oversized sweater for a relaxed yet polished look.
Boots are similar.
Suede jacket and a sleeveless sweater for spring and fall
Okay, let’s take a short break from the grey sweater to style a different sleeveless sweater option, but it is still a lightweight cashmere. When you need a lightweight layer under your jacket but still want some warmth, try this mockneck cashmere option. It comes in a few colors. As I write this, spring is a couple of months away, and I’m looking forward to wearing this type of outfit again! I first wore it in the fall.
Crewneck sweater vest and blazer
This sleeveless sweater is definitely meant to help keep you warm. I love to wear it under a blazer in the fall, but it’s so cute to style a sweater vest outfit with it too! It looks good with a silk blouse or a cotton button up. It comes in several colors!
My boots and blazer are similar.
Mockneck sleeveless sweater with an oversize blazer
This blazer is the softest, no-itch wool, and it’s the perfect match for this sleeveless sweater. You could also add a belt or a silk scarf to create a really chic, French girl vibe. If you’ve read any of my blog posts before or follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen this outfit! It’s always a go-to look for me because it’s comfortable and warm.
Silk blouse and sweater vest
I don’t have a photo of this outfit, but I wear it all the time. Yes, it’s the same grey sleeveless sweater featured throughout this post, and it’s the reason I love it so much. You can style it with everything. For reference, I tuck the silk blouse and my sweater into the jeans for this outfit. My sweater does come in two other colors, by the way! You can see this outfit on me at the end of this reel. I layered my coat over it for a very short walk to dinner, but I love how easy it is to wear coats or blazers over it.
I’ve written other posts on how to style sweaters! For how to wear short sleeve sweaters, check out this post. If you’re looking for sweater and skirt outfit ideas, check out this post. I hope you found some outfit ideas or helpful tips. Be sure to sign up for my email list! XO
