There’s no need to limit yourself to wearing only pants once it’s too cold for sundresses. For me, this heavyweight long-sleeved midi dress from Quince started as one outfit and has progressed to at least four in the mere month I’ve had it.
You may have heard of Quince through podcast advertisements or read our own Quince review, and while I’ve found the brand to be hit-or-miss, this dress is an absolute hit. It’s made a difference in how I feel showing up to places — it looks put-together no matter what, and I’m not wasting time and mental energy when getting ready.
That said, it does make a good blank canvas for creating some cool outfits, in case you’re inspired to play-pretend as a personal stylist. Below are a few of my favorite looks I’ve created so far, all starting with this one Quince midi sweater dress.
In my natural state, at home
As I type this, I’m seated at my desk wearing this sweater dress and some thick Bombas socks. When I’m treading around the house, I wear it with my UGG boots (which I’ve had since 10th grade). The dress is made from a weighty, flexible cotton-cashmere blend, so beware if you have an allergy, but I like how it adds a bit of softness and insulation.
Commuting comfortably
Whether I’m working remotely in a café or at the office, my job requires me to sit at a desk all day, so I like that the Quince sweater dress is stretchy around my middle. With a structured blazer, Vivaia ankle boots, knee-high socks, and my trusty work bag, I feel both presentable and comfortable. I’m 5-foot-9 and its skirt reaches my mid-calf, so it offers good coverage when I have to walk through windy streets or work in a drafty space.
Restaurant hopping
I like to take advantage of outdoor dining weather to the fullest. On a cool, sunny Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn, my best friend and I find simple pleasure in watching the parade of outfits from our table on a busy street corner. I’ve tailored this sweater dress to the occasion with a long Patagonia fleece jacket, leggings, and knee-high boots from Margaux. It could even work as a winter wedding ensemble.
A leisurely stroll
I never considered myself a dress-over-jeans kind of gal, but this look only further shows the versatility of this sweater dress. I wore this when I had a lot of walking to do with no particular destination, so I was ready for wherever the day took me. Here I’m wearing a thrifted leather trench coat, Rothy’s Mary Janes to match my Lo & Sons bag, and a Quince cashmere scarf.
Instead of real denim, underneath I’m wearing my beloved Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans (a favorite of our team). It helps that these pants have a pull-on waistband, so they still look seamless underneath the clingy fit of the sweater dress.
Details of the dress
A few caveats: I got the olive green, and it’s more of a grayish green in person than the acidic green shown on the site. I also caution that because of its cashmere content, you only wash it as needed and lay it flat to air dry — it’s more effort, but from all my experience testing Quince cashmere, it’ll help it last longer. And unfortunately, this dress only comes in sies XS-XL. Quince does offer some plus size clothing, but it’s not all-inclusive for the brand.
The hems and cuffs have lettuce edging, and in the back, there’s a string tie that lets you pull in the waistline to your comfort level. I love this feature because sweater dresses can easily become shapeless after a lot of washing and wearing, but the tie makes it feel more fitted. I also love that the slightly flared sleeves actually extend past my wrists.
This is my one sweater dress to rule them all.
With a quick switch of accessories, this sweater dress can be transformed from a cozy loungewear look to a semi-formal outfit. I never would’ve thought to put on a dress once it reaches below 60°, but at this rate, I can imagine myself wearing this Quince sweater dress to all my holiday gatherings and well into the spring.
