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Original poster

Not keen on knitted dresses, are you?

70 replies

WhereDoYouGo1 · 30/10/2023 09:46

I’ve seen a lot of knitted dresses online and in the shops. They are generally long and plain like a big jumper and I don’t think they would be flattering at all on me. Is anyone wearing them and what style/type/colour and what shoes/boots do you wear to go with them?

OP posts:
DresdenDoll · 30/10/2023 12:31

I got a lovely teal knee length one from Brakeburn last year, I'm looking forward to it being cold enough to wear it again.

Lentilweaver · 30/10/2023 12:32

If anyone sees a wool knitted dress on the high street- not in black- please link.

PerditaProvokesEnmity · 30/10/2023 12:34

@WhereDoYouGo1 I don't think you should restrict your shopping on the assumption that most women have the proportions of catwalk models. We don't - but we all have to wear clothes! Just experiment.

@happyshineyperson if I spent as much thinking time on my legitimate occupation as I do stalking the Matches / Net-a-Porter / Browns / SSense / Rendez-vous sales I would be rich enough to pay full price every time ... I'd given up on The Outnet for a while but found something wonderful from Marni there recently. I probably wouldn't buy a pre-owned dress, but I have found long-coveted jackets and skirts at Vestiaire.

CountTo10 · 30/10/2023 13:03

Yes I love them. Great for days in the office when I have a 20 min walk and use public transport plus the fact the office heating can be a bit hit and miss. Don't like the oversize jumper ones. All mine are fitted and I have one black, one navy and one green (all discounted Boden). Very flattering and comfortable and I have had lots of compliments.

This in navy and black (the neck line is not too low and I'm quite top heavy.

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/scoop-neck-knitted-midi-dress/sty-d0504

And this in the green.

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/twist-front-knitted-midi-dress/sty-d0444

GettingStuffed · 30/10/2023 13:05

I love them. I cannot wear wool and some of the synthetic ones are so soft. I tend to buy ones with fitted tops and ALine skirts, so a bit like skater dresses.
If I do wear a baggy one it's with leggings and ankle boots

TheOGCCL · 30/10/2023 13:30

I'm with you OP. But then I don't like dresses, or rather they don't like me.

I tend to see wool dresses which are either loose like a sack, which would swamp me, or quite slinky, which would show up all my lumps and bumps including my bust. I think maybe they'd be nice with a long gilet over or a scarf to break it all up. I'd only wear them with knee high boots as ankle boots would cut my legs off.

I feel like they'd either be too hot (real wool) or too cold (synthetic).

HiGunny · 30/10/2023 13:50

I live in jumper dresses over the winter. Just find them so easy to throw on with tights and boots. I have a few different styles, from long jumpers to fit and flare dresses. All are pure wool but of different weights and none are itchy.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 30/10/2023 13:52

I used to love me a sweater dress back in the 80s when I was young and slim.

My mum used to say they’d ‘bottom’.

Britpopbaby · 30/10/2023 14:00

H&M have one that I was looking at earlier today. It’s a fit and flare style but I would definitely need a slip. I left it because it looks visibly cheap.

CharlotteBog · 30/10/2023 14:33

JayAlfredPrufrock · 30/10/2023 13:52

I used to love me a sweater dress back in the 80s when I was young and slim.

My mum used to say they’d ‘bottom’.

What does "they'd bottom" mean?

Dahlia444 · 30/10/2023 15:01

I love them and have about 5 which I've collected over 15 years though I saw the oldest in my wardrobe this morning and thought it was a bit shapeless last year so probably due for replacement. I can start looking!
I worry about itchiness and not being able to remove layers etc so have a variety very much depending on what I'm doing that day. I love short ones as my legs are my best feature. The rest of me is slimmish but a bit bumpy, but the dresses are so great (imo) that I think they distract the eye.

JMTWords · 30/10/2023 15:06

I have several midi length fine knit ones from various Uniqlo collaborations and they’re great for work. They’re quite fitted in the top third then skim the rest of my body, which hides my area of concern (stomach). I favour them when travelling for my job, as they’re easy to pack and don’t tend to crease. I’ve worn them with ballet flats, heels, high heeled boots (with both thin and chunky heels), biker boots, chunky loafers - all sorts.

I’ve just bought a different style of knit dress from the Uniqlo C line, I think it will be warmer and it is more defined at my waist.

StarlightLady · 30/10/2023 15:09

I like them, but they need to big a snug fit.

Longlist · 30/10/2023 15:11

JayAlfredPrufrock · 30/10/2023 13:52

I used to love me a sweater dress back in the 80s when I was young and slim.

My mum used to say they’d ‘bottom’.

As in go saggy round the bottom? That's my concern - or would wearing a slip put a stop to that?

MidnightOnceMore · 30/10/2023 15:13

I love them!

bendmeoverbackwards · 30/10/2023 15:54

I like them but struggle to find any without a high neck AND shorter length. Anyone seen any like this?

bendmeoverbackwards · 30/10/2023 15:55

Sorry I mean I want a shorter length, I'm not keen on midi length, I like above the knee.

LoobyDop · 30/10/2023 15:59

I love them, but they have to be knitted cotton or similar rather than wool, or they’re too hot. Also, you need to get rid of the 2000s mentality that if you aren’t a perfect size 8 with a washboard stomach you aren’t allowed to be seen in public in anything except clothes that apologise for your existence.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 30/10/2023 16:00

My sweater dresses are old Oasis fit and flare colour block ones. I did used to have a couple of Primark ones but got rid of them, nice enough.

I do have a Next black knee length one, bought in 2018/19 which is nice enough but it hasn’t washed brilliantly.

I find some knitted dresses have a tendency to bag at say bum area.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 30/10/2023 16:02

Oh wait, I do have a navy and white and mustard Morgan de Toi one, bought I think over lockdown:-

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350166087.aspx?dim1=1&dim2=4&cod=Google-PPC-Shopping-20485265422-&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2rvUu5KeggMVzODtCh1CJA4vEAQYASABEgLEIfD_BwE

Lentilweaver · 30/10/2023 16:09

I like this from Zara in the red version. LONG KNIT DRESS - Black | ZARA United Kingdom

Ginmonkeyagain · 30/10/2023 16:16

I like the idea but in winter I seem to spend my life going in and out of places with different temperatures - outside (cold) train (too hot), Office (mainly hot but with some meeting rooms that are arctic), shops/pubs (defintiely too hot) So unless I am just at home all day on a cold day I fear sweatiness.

CharlotteBog · 30/10/2023 16:17

Lentilweaver · 30/10/2023 16:09

I like this from Zara in the red version. LONG KNIT DRESS - Black | ZARA United Kingdom

She looks thrilled! Are you very tall?

Lentilweaver · 30/10/2023 16:21

Heh, I am 5"7. Zara models always look miserable and the site is a nightmare, but I have gleaned that the dress is viscose rather than acyrlic, which will not be so itchy, I hope.

Ittastesvile · 30/10/2023 16:22

I love them and have three!

All polo necks. One is merino and one is cashmere and don't itch. One is wool/merino blend and itches slightly but I wear a long sleeved t-shirt underneath.

All worn with knee-high boots and no belt. Two bought on Vinted (originally Cos and Semon, one in Fatface sale. Fatface one is my favourite.

I am tall, thin and straight though.