How to look great in a knit dress over 40 (Ultimate guide)

Knit dresses are perennial trend and among winter style favorites in cold climate regions. Unfortunately, they are tricky to wear with natural menopausal body changes. This guide covers what to do and avoid to look your best in a knit dress over 40.

Knit dresses are having a moment

Are you in love with that knit dress in the window for 60% off and torn whether or not to get it? Your little angel tells you “knit dresses are a classic, go for it, beauty.” However, the little devil in your head tells you “a knit dress can be tricky even when you are slim.” Here, are five tips to pay attention to and to make sure you wear it right. They may also be helpful to make a decision and peace between the angel and devil in your head and you and the knit dress.

What to look for when buying a knit-dress

To find the perfect knit dress make sure to keep the following tips in mind before you hand over your credit card.

1. It is very important that the knit dress has enough ease to not look like a sausage on two legs. You should be able to gather half an inch (1.3 cm) of fabric without that the knit stretches. Since the fabric is doubled when you do this, it means you need at least an inch of ease. The ease allows the knit dress to flow over your body. This means it hugs your body rather than being bodyconcious. Any more would look bulky and you would look heavier than you actually are. Nobody wants this. Period.
2. The length should be long enough that it is clear that you did not forget to put your jeans on. It should be short enough that you don’t look like an Old Lady. This means the hem should hit anywhere above or around the the knee, but not higher than two hands width above your knee. The one in the photo is the absolute shortest I would go. As you see it is 2 inch (5 cm) longer than the tip of my hands.
3. Go for a classic slightly tailored at the waist cut.
4. Buy the highest quality you can afford. Merino wool, cashmere or blends thereof look polished and sophisticated.
5. When you go for a knit (read not fine jersey), a solid color is a Must unless it’s intended for the weekend only.

Tips how to style a knit dress

To look stylish and polished try the following styling tricks.

1. Go for a vertical ribbed pattern to avoid adding weight and/or to create a slimming effect. Recall: Vertical lines lead the eyes up-and-down giving the illusion of height.
2. Try a monochromatic outfit for looking taller than you are.
3. The dark colors of your palette have a slimming effect. Thus, avoid pastels, light colors or red when you can’t afford the visual extra weight these colors add.
4. No VPL (visible panty line). Like with thin jeans or leggings, thongs avoid this. Laser cut briefs with gel line instead of rubber bands work well too if you don’t mind them.
5. Wear the right shapewear underneath. Even I do (and shapewear is hard to get in my size). Go for a shapewear slip. The ones with gel on the hem are perfect. They do not ride up. The shapewear slip has the advantage that you avoid creating awkward lines where shapewear separates would meet.  The ones with build in cups are best, but do not come in plus and small sizes. When you can’t get a shapewear slip with build-in bra, go for a bra with a wide band and straps to avoid cut-in. It is the bra equivalent of avoiding VPL.

Accessories and matching with other attire

1. Accessorize wisely. A little heel is fine, too high heels enter Pretty Woman territory, too flat heels come across too young/girly (read 16). Add professional looking jewelry, i.e. stay away from glam, flashy, and too sparkly. Try accessorzing with a belt for shape.
2. A long cardigan, tailored leather motorcycle jacket, denim jacket or blazer and/or belt are nice grownup stylish additions too (see above photos).
3. Add a brooch instead of a necklace.
4. Wear shorter than 4 inch (10 cm) above the knee knit-dresses with leggings on the weekend.
5. Try a straight skirt underneath for sophisticated work look.

Knit-dress outfit ideas

The photos below give some inspirations how an over 40 years old can wear the trend without looking like trying too hard or not trying at all. Full disclosure, I am way over 50 years old. When I can do it, you can do it too.

Don’t let the right outfit be a random thing. Wear the right look in every situation by looking up what to wear when in How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy my book now.

Like these outfit ideas? If so, please feel free to pin them to your own Pinterest board.

When to kiss the knit-dress trend off

If you are not willing to commit to the above points, kiss this trend off. This means don’t buy a knit dress. It will just take up real estate in your closet and you will not get enough wear for your money. If you are willing to commit, I bet you will be sad when the trend is over. But then you still can wear it under a skirt or with skinnies. Thus, you will get you money worth in wear even when the trend ins’t a trend anymore next fall.

Are you temped by the knit-dress trend? In your opinion, are they a Yay or Nay in fashion over 40?

Get the inspiration, support, motivation, and tips to look to your best in life. Get a subscription to High Latitude Style. Deep inside you know when I can do it you can do it too.

Photos: G. Kramm

© 2013-2020 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved