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The No. 1 Dress Trend of 2021 Is All About Comfort

7 min read

Cozy sweater dresses were all over our Instagram feeds back in fall 2020, and now they’re back to rule our wardrobes once again. Yes, you can continue to rock your summer knit versions so long as the weather is warm, but after Labor Day we can’t help but find ourselves drawn to cozier silhouettes and more autumnal materials, like cashmere and wool.

Beyond being incredibly comfy, knit dresses are also incredibly versatile and look equally stylish with sneakers, heels and boots. You can dress them up for date night with some standout heeled booties and bold statement earrings, or go casual for a weekend at home with Keds and a silk scarf to tie around your ponytail.

Below, 20 of the most flattering, most comfortable sweater dresses to toss on this fall—and keep wearing all the way through to the end of the year.

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RELATED: The 22 Best Denim Jackets of All Time, Starting at $40

1. Polo Ralph Lauren Wool & Cashmere Turtleneck Dress

We love the simplicity of this timeless green sweater dress. You can break up the silhouette a bit with a long gold necklace, but save the belt for another day and bask in the glorious comfort of its oversize fit.

Buy it ($348)

Available in sizes XS to XL

2. Eloquii Puff Sleeve Collared Sweater Dress

Meet your new favorite workwear staple. This cozy midi works well under blazers for those actually headed into the office, but will also look polished and professional over Zoom for those continuing to work from home. All while feeling as comfortable as your favorite sweatpants.

Buy it ($100)

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Available in sizes 14 to 28

3. Saturday/Sunday Knit Midi Dress

This gray beauty is the ultimate weekend wear. Made from an incredibly soft blend, it has a comfy oversize fit that can be worn as a regular V-neck or draped off one shoulder. (P.S. Reviews suggest sizing down if you want something less baggy.)

Buy it ($120)

Available in sizes S to XL

4. Dolan Left Coast Floral Knit Midi Dress

This autumnal floral number makes for a gorgeous statement piece all its own. But it also plays well with both appropriate blazers and weekend-ready lightweight jackets once temperatures really start to lower.

Buy it ($170)

Available in sizes XS to XL, also Petite

5. ASOS DESIGN Curve crew neck ribbed midi dress

Simple, elegant and ready for just about any event on your calendar. Oh, and did we mention it’s on sale?

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Buy it ($45; $25)

Available in sizes 14 to 24

6. AX Paris Plus cable knit sweater dress

Wear this textured knit with or without the belt depending on your mood. Either way, we love the way this mini looks with some knee-high boots and a coordinating shoulder bag. So polished and posh—just like you.

Buy it ($68; $39)

Available in sizes 16 to 26

7. Cecelia Prado Sky Sweater Midi Dress

This abstract print is meant to evoke images of a bright blue sky, but it has a hint of zebra stripes as well, making it a very fun to play with come fall. Play up the animal vibes with leopard-print boots and a forest green safari jacket. Or, go the landscape route with some yellow statement earrings and a blue-wash denim jacket.

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Buy it ($240)

Available in sizes XXS to XL

8. LPA Floyd Sweater Dress

Combine two hot fall trends—plaid and sweater dresses—into one fabulous piece that’s twice the fun. Wear it with black ankle booties now, then layered over faux-leather leggings come November.

Buy it ($178)

Available in sizes XXS to XL

9. Anthropologie Space-Dyed Knit Midi Dress

You’d be hard pressed to find more cheerful stripes than these. We love the mix of different widths to switch things up and give your figure more of an hourglass shape.

Buy it ($150)

Available in sizes XS to 3X, also Petite

10. Eloquii Rib Collar Sweater Dress

Adding a lariat necklace will work with the vertical ribbing of the fabric to elongate your frame. Or, if you’re part of the long torso club, you can always add a thin gold, brown or leopard belt to your waist to break up your silhouette.

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Buy it ($100)

Available in sizes 14 to 28

11. Lane Bryant Ribbed Mix Sweater Dress

Just because the days are getting shorter and temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean you have to give up on bright summery hues. This pretty pink number still feels seasonally appropriate when paired with warm shades of beige and brown.

Buy it ($90)

Available in sizes 10 to 28

12. Jonathan Simkhai Skyla Loungewear Knit Wrap Dress

Imagine a luxe cashmere robe you can actually wear outside the house without attracting odd looks from the neighbors. This stunning midi is as close to that dream as you can get with a brilliantly elegant draped silhouette and a lush cashmere/wool/cotton blend material that’s like heaven to touch. Definitely worth the splurge, in our opinion.

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Buy it ($445)

Available in sizes XS to XL

13. Staud Shoko Colorblock Sweater Dress

For fall we suggest wearing this fun two-tone knit as a dress with knee-high boots or as a cardigan over a slip dress. For winter, rock it as a true cardigan layered over turtlenecks and jeans. And for spring you can button it up to wear as a dress and keep your accessories on the minimalist side in shades of white or delicate metallics. A true triple threat.

Buy it ($165)

Available in sizes XS to XL

14. COLLUSION Plus roll neck sweater dress in chocolate brown

A beautiful, cozy basic, this turtleneck midi is a phenomenal layering piece. Belt a lightweight jacket over the top, slip on some knee-high boots or get extra snuggly with the addition of a long cardigan. The world is your sartorial oyster.

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Buy it ($24)

Available in sizes 12 to 26

15. KING & TUCKFIELD Two-tone ribbed merino wool midi dress

Colorful sneakers and funky pearl jewelry will help modernize the retro vibe of this polo midi. On the flip side, if you’re really feeling the ‘60s vibe try wearing it with some flatform clogs and a floaty duster jacket.

Buy it ($405)

Available in sizes XS to L

16. Lane Bryant Sweater Dress With Button Detail

Subtle ribbing at the waist helps cinch your middle without actually constricting you, a major bonus for those of us prioritizing comfort at the moment (aka, everyone).

Buy it ($90)

Available in sizes 14 to 28

17. Missguided knitted roll neck midaxi dress in white

This eyelash knit is fluffy, fun and surprisingly sexy thanks to a leg slit on the side that goes up just high enough to prevent you from turning into one giant marshmallow.

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Buy it ($56)

Available in sizes 0 to 12

18. Tanya Taylor Joelle Knit Dress

Another fun multi-season option, this dress works particularly well for those weird days between summer and fall when the weather isn’t entirely sure what it’s doing. On chillier afternoons, layer this beauty under a denim or leather jacket and opt for ankle boots or sneakers. Or, if you’re still feeling the heat, try easy ballet flats and a pale-hued, lightweight cardigan.

Buy it ($365)

Available in sizes XS to 3X

19. Michael Costello x REVOLVE Sweatshirt Mini Dress

A sweatshirt dress is definitely one of our all-time favorite “throw on and go” pieces for a casual weekend. All you need are some fresh white kicks and a collection of canvas tote bags and you’re ready to hit the farmers’ market.

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Buy it ($178; $36)

Available in sizes XXS to XL

20. Joie Cedar Stripe Knit Midi Dress

The mix of jade green, dusty red and pale pinks has us dreaming of a desert sunset. Pair this with classic cowboy boots for a real western vibe, or go modern with some slim-fit sock booties.

Buy it ($328; $230)

Available in sizes XS to L

RELATED: The One Fall Fashion Trend We Just Didn't See Coming

PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.

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