How to Wear a Boxy Sweater

Now some of you may be wondering, “what is the boxy fit?” but if you’re someone who knows yet finds the concept of boxy sweaters a bit weird, we don’t blame you. Initially, we couldn’t help but think of people wearing big, brown cardboard boxes; you know, the kind that can fit your washing machine in! Considering that we actually have them within our collections, you’d be entitled to ask what made us warm to them? 

Theory of Fashion

Well, this is where the theory of fashion comes in. We’ll keep it brief. It’s about the three Fs of fashion; our take is a little different from the article we linked so let us know in the comments which you prefer:

Form: Imagine that fashion is a combination of art and science. Form is all about the art. It is about creativity and design. 

Fit: It would be nice if all of us could afford made-to-measure or bespoke tailoring but as we mostly buy off-the-peg, providing for a range of sizes and cuts is a variable for creators to manage to please their customers. Some offer options (petite/ plus size/ regular fit/ slim fit / tailored fit / relaxed fit) but this has not been the case historically.

Function: Returning to our idea of fashion being a combination of art and science, function is more about the science. It forces the creator to think about why the wearer will wear this garment. Sometimes the function is art (think Met Gala costumes) but mostly it’s about things like keeping people warm/dry/cool or looking casual/formal or more specific functions related to (extreme) sports.

The boxy fit brings an intriguing nuance to fit and function. From a fit perspective, the boxy fits allows for some serious experimentation due to its proportions. We’ll explain this further below in the context of outfits but let’s keep the focus on the wearer for now. As the proportions involve increased breadth, this allows the boxy fit to cater for some variation in body shape without any associated stigma that could arise from a range that was created solely to address that market. So people who find regular fits to be stifling but don’t want to buy a size up (because that would be too long) would benefit from a kinder fit. Those that usually opt for regular fit garment will now benefit from more room within the garment and therefore more freedom of movement.

From a function perspective, it's not oversized so it has a different signal to send to an observer, which is to say, please do not misunderstand me as a casual outfit. The additional freedom of movement is in fact a gain of function so this is another plus.  

Hopefully this gives you an idea of why boxy fits have grown on us (ba-dum-tish). In all seriousness, they’re worth thinking about. If you’re unsure of how they may work for you, let us share some ideas with you.

Balance your silhouette

When wearing a boxy sweater, creating balance is key. Pair your sweater with fitted bottoms like skinny jeans, tailored trousers, or pencil skirts. The contrast between the relaxed upper half and fitted lower half creates a harmonious look.

• Casual: Pair your boxy sweater with high-waisted skinny jeans and ankle boots. This works for men and women!

• Office/ formal: Combine your sweater with a pencil skirt and heeled loafers for a sophisticated office outfit.

Play with proportions

The boxy fit invites experimentation with proportions, particularly if you’re looking to highlight your body shape. Tuck the front or side of your sweater into high-waisted jeans or trousers to highlight your waistline and add structure. The reel below offers tips for a shirt but they're worth trying with a jumper.

• Front tuck: A simple front tuck can make your appearance more polished. This might be important if your boxy fit garment has some casual styling to it and/or if the fit appears on the baggier end of the spectrum.

• Layering: Wear your boxy fit sweater over a longer, fitted shirt or dress, allowing the layered garments to peek beneath the sweater hem. Depending on where the hem falls and the length of the garment underneath, it can give off different illusions about the ratio of the length of your torso to your legs. Play around with this, perhaps using a belt or tucking in creatively, to get the look that you want.

Embrace the layered look

Focusing on boxy fit sweaters makes sense when temperatures are cooler. Layer your sweater over collared shirts or turtlenecks to give preppy vibes. Add a long coat or structured jacket over your sweater during colder months for added warmth and sophistication.

• Layering essential: Pair a boxy sweater with a crisp white shirt underneath, letting the shirt cuffs and collar add definition. Pick a muted colour for your sweater and you’ll give quiet luxury vibes.

• Winter ready: Wear a structured coat on top, complementing the loose sweater with more tailored outerwear. You might think that the advantages of the shape is lost but if temperatures allow you to avoid buttoning/zipping up your coat, your efforts will be visible.

Choose complementary accessories

It is said that accessories can make or break your look. Since boxy sweaters have a minimalist appeal, select simple, elegant accessories to maintain balance.

• Minimal jewellery: Opt for delicate necklaces or small hoop earrings to complement your sweater without overwhelming it.

• Structured bags: Pair with structured handbags or minimalist crossbody bags to emphasise clean lines and enhance your outfit’s overall aesthetic.

Selecting footwear

Footwear completes your fit and dictates the overall vibe. Boxy sweaters pair beautifully with sleek, minimalist shoes for a contemporary appeal or chunkier footwear for a bold, edgy look.

• Modern minimalist: Pair your sweater with sleek ankle boots or streamlined sneakers (think Allbirds or Veja).

• Bold contrast: For a fashion-forward statement, opt for chunky trainers (New Balance) or platform sneakers to playfully contrast the sweater’s simplicity.

Seasonal styling guide

A boxy fit is versatile enough to adapt to every season. After all, t-shirts are just as much a part of the boxy fit scene as sweatshirts:

• Spring: Pair boxy sweaters with cropped trousers or a midi skirt and minimalist sneakers for a fresh look. When the sun comes out, having a boxy t-shirt under your boxy jumper means that your look will remain coherent should you need to lose the jumper to cool down.

• Summer: Choose boxy t-shirts worn over shorts or a breezy skirt for when the sun is high in the sky, lightweight knit boxy jumpers if you need another layer for cool evenings.

• Autumn: Layer with jeans, ankle boots, and a tailored jacket for effortless warmth and style. 

• Winter: Combine your boxy sweater with leggings, knee-high boots, and a structured coat for a cosy yet polished winter outfit.

Styling by body type

A boxy sweater can flatter all body shapes with the right styling:

• Petite: Opt for cropped boxy sweaters that hit at the waist, paired with high-waisted bottoms to make you look taller.

• Curvy: Choose boxy sweaters in soft, fluid materials that skim curves without adding bulk, paired with fitted trousers or skirts.

• Tall: Embrace longer, oversized boxy sweaters with skinny jeans or leggings, which can keep you looking tall without drawing too much attention to your height.

• Athletic: Add dimension by choosing textured sweaters or bold patterns paired with tailored trousers or straight-leg jeans.

Final thoughts

A boxy sweater remains an intriguing style for many but seems to be a bit of an enigma when it comes to styling. It's always worth experimenting with a few ideas above; sometimes you can be surprised by what works!