Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater

Revisiting the Oversized Grey Sweater

09.13.18

Happy almost Friday everyone! We felt some proper Fall temperatures this week, which had me raiding my stash of knits and cozy layers. One that instantly caught my attention was this oversized grey sweater from a collaboration I did with VETTA last Fall (catch that post here) so I pulled it out and started playing around with outfit ideas. Right away I was reminded of why I chose this sweater over the others and just how much it can do! Serendipitously, I caught wind that it was being restocked today (along with the entire Minimal Capsule) so I decided to revisit this special piece since many readers missed out on it last Fall.

Why is this sweater ‘special’? Well, I went into the nitty-gritty details last time with lots of pros and cons but the short version is that it’s:

  • Super versatile and a joy to wear, which VETTA pieces always are.
  • Made responsibly in NYC.
  • 99% organic cotton (with 1% elastane for stretch) and machine washable.
  • A steal at $159 USD.

Finding responsibly made knitwear at an approachable price-point is no easy feat so I felt compelled to revisit this one. Alas, today’s post is all about three new ways to style this past Fall closet favourite. Even if you’re not in the market for a new sweater, I’m hoping this post might inspire some styling ideas regardless! So let’s have a look.


LOOK 1 

Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater
THOUGHTS ON LOOK 1

For this first look I had to try it with the back worn open all the way except for the top button, which reveals my striped shirt underneath. I’d never thought of wearing it this way but I love the result!

FAVOURITE ELEMENT: I love how clean and polished it is from the front while this fun and unexpected reveal is just chilling around back. The way the striped silk and the weighted cotton move together it delightful too! Check out my stories for this one in action.

GREAT FOR WORK: Paired with some skinny black pants, sleek suede boots and a vintage bag this look is perfect for a work day in just about any office!

SPECIAL DETAILS:

1 | The sleeves on this sweater are slightly cropped which keeps them out-of-the-way but also makes layering long-sleeved items a breeze! I love how the striped cuff pops out below the sweater and connects the pattern with the collar reveal up top. This is one way I love to create continuity in a visually dynamic way.

2 | The length of this sweater is great for lots of different heights and sizes. I’m about 5’7 and it covers my butt and lands at my upper-mid thigh for a proper tunic length. I wear a size Small and you can see it on women sizes XS -XL right here.

3 | Brown tones add warmth and subtle repetition throughout the look through a chocolate suede boot, oxblood bag and a tawny red lip colour.

4 | Unrelated to the look, this sweater stored really well over the warm season. Aside from the front crease, which I left on purpose, it’s in pristine shape. The crease will come out in the wash obviously but it’s already falling out now that it’s been released from it’s densely packed storage situation.


Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater
  • OVERSIZE GREY SWEATER | c/o VETTA in 2017 | $159 USD | I wear a size S | Made Responsibly in NYC | Sign up for the newsletter and save 10% off your initial order.
  • STRIPED SHIRT | c/o EVERLANE | $110 USD | I wear a size 4 | Made Responsibly in China
  • BLACK SKINNY JEANS | PAIGE | $192 CAD (currently on sale) | I wear a size 26 | Made in USA | Similar style for less here.
  • SUEDE BOOTS | AQUATALIA via NORDSTROM | $450 USD | Runs TTS but slightly narrow. | Made Responsibly in Italy. Fully weather-proof.
  • BAG | VINTAGE | Currently obsessed with this one.
  • LIP COLOUR | KOSÅS | I’m wearing Fringe in all looks and it’s my favourite Fall lip colour. | $28 USD | Made in the USA from clean and natural ingredients.
  • DOME STUDS | ATTIC | $290 CAD $261 CAD | Save 10% on the New Classics Collection with ‘STYLEBEE10’ | Made to order in Toronto.


LOOK 2

Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater
THOUGHTS ON LOOK 2

This outfit came together by accident as I was lining items up on my clothes rack. I had planned to wear different pants (my silk flos) but was drawn in by these colours and had to give it a try!

FAVOURITE ELEMENT: I love the unusual colour combo but I’m really smitten with how comfortable this outfit is. In fact, I shot this one last and just stayed in it right until I went to bed!

GREAT FOR TRAVEL OR A CASUAL OFFICE: I think this look is perfect for a casual workplace but even better for travel! This would be so comfy and cozy for a train ride or flight but still polished enough to seem like you’ve got your life together (which I never feel like I do when I’m travelling).

SPECIAL DETAILS:

1 | Pushed up sleeves are perhaps the simplest but most effective of my sartorial ‘tricks’. Just by adding that extra bit of scrunch the look feels more relaxed and lived in.

2 | A touch of gold jewelry elevates this look from a ‘Netflix and chill’ vibe to a ‘totally presentable’ one. It doesn’t take much!

3 | This marled grey and umber are surprisingly complimentary colours. I probably wouldn’t have tried them together were it not for seeing them side by side but I’m kind of into the combo! I let this unexpected palette be the star of the outfit by wearing a simple white tee and maintaining the umber tone through the shoe.


Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater
  • OVERSIZE GREY SWEATER | c/o VETTA in 2017 | $159 USD | I wear a size S | Made Responsibly in NYC | Sign up for the newsletter and save 10% off your initial order.
  • WHITE TEE | EVERLANE | $30 USD | Linked to similar. Made responsibly in Peru.
  • WIDE LEG PANT | c/o JAMIE + the Jones | $240 USD | I wear a size S | Made Responsibly in Nashville.
  • SUEDE BLOCK HEEL | L’INTERVALLE | sold out | Linked to similar option.
  • LIP COLOUR | KOSÅS | I’m wearing Fringe in all looks. | $28 USD | Made in the USA from clean and natural ingredients.
  • DOME STUDS | ATTIC | $290 CAD $261 CAD | CIGAR RINGborrowed ATTIC | $950 CAD $855 CAD | BLUE MOON PENDANTborrowed ATTIC | $595 CAD $535.50 CAD | Save 10% on the New Classics Collection with ‘STYLEBEE10’ | Made to order in Toronto.


LOOK 3

Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater
THOUGHTS ON LOOK 3

After revisiting my post from last fall I really loved how Look 1 had come together with these plaid trousers and the black oversized sweater. I decided to see if I could swap in the grey version and switch up a couple of accessories to make it work. I dare say that it passes!

FAVOURITE ELEMENT: I’m so excited to try this styling trick out with other items in my closet.

EASY, WEEKEND OUTFIT: You could definitely get away with this for work or travel but I also think it’s great for a weekend brunch, coffee date, market visit or errand run!

SPECIAL DETAILS:

1 | In person the contrast comes through better than in photos but I like the almost monochrome vibe that’s happening with the marled grey and black and white plaid pattern. I added my Day Glove flats for a pop of fresh white and kept things streamlined with my favourite sculptural black bag.

2 | This optional turtleneck is genius and super warm. I can sort of see why I felt like it was ‘overwhelming’ in my review last year but I’m actually into the chunky, gigantic-ness of it this time around. So funny how our preferences change from year to year!

3 | I decided to embrace my newfound love of the detachable turtleneck and mimicked it by folding the sleeves up. I didn’t even realize until I was editing photos that the 4 inch hemline (or whatever the proper term is on knitwear!) also ties into the theme. How interesting! 


Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater
  • OVERSIZE GREY SWEATER | c/o VETTA in 2017 | $159 USD | I wear a size S | Made Responsibly in NYC | Sign up for the newsletter and save 10% off your initial order.
  • PLAID TROUSER | These are old but I found a similar style here ($160 USD 40% off) and here ($158 USD).
  • WHITE TEE | EVERLANE | $30 USD | Linked to similar. Made responsibly in Peru.
  • ELOISE BAG | THE STOWE | sold out | Linked to similar.
  • LIP COLOUR | KOSÅS | I’m wearing Fringe in all looks. | $28 USD | Made in the USA from clean and natural ingredients.
  • DOME STUDS | ATTIC | $290 CAD $261 CAD | CIGAR RINGborrowed ATTIC | $950 CAD $855 CAD | Save 10% on the New Classics Collection with ‘STYLEBEE10’ | Made to order in Toronto.


SO THERE YOU HAVE THREE NEW LOOKS WITH THE OVERSIZED GREY SWEATER

If you love this piece too, you’ll want to order ASAP because they sell out quick!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE LOOK?

I’d love to hear which pieces you’re excited to pull out for Fall this year!


BE SURE TO CHECK OUT LAST YEAR’S REVIEW POST FOR 6 LOOKS + MY THOUGHTS ON THE BLACK VERSION AND ANOTHER STYLE THAT’S BEEN RESTOCKED TODAY!


Style Bee - Revisiting the Oversize Grey Sweater

That’s it for posts this week but I’ll be back next week with more favourites from seasons past! 

Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your week!


This post is not sponsored or produced in partnership with the aforementioned brands but it does contain affiliate links. When you shop via the links above I may make commission on a sale. Thanks for supporting Style Bee! All opinions are always my own.

18 comments
09.13.18
Outfits

Leave me a comment here!

  1. Jo says:

    Hi Lee, did you end up keeping both the black and grey in the vetta oversized sweater or nixing one or both?

    I sense a restock and am wondering if I should buy, I have a columnar frame so not sure I should go the oversized sweater at all, but it looks cute on you in both colours. I have a lot of grey already…

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Hi Jo, I ended up only keeping the grey because black sweaters are just a magnet for pet fur in my life. That said, I felt the black was probably more chic overall so if you don’t have tricolour friends to worry about I’d go for the black! It is oversized but has lots of movement so it doesn’t read as too boxy. I hope that helps! xo

  2. Love this! I love how it works as a cardigan/jumper!

  3. Joy says:

    I loved all the looks, but especially the first one because I can replicate it! Do you find this sweater fits over sleeves with more volume, like the Blank Canvas Top? And does it start to stretch out at all in the sleeves over the course of wearing it? Thank you!

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Hi Joy, Yes! This sweater layers over the Blank Canvas Top no problem. The sleeves are dolman style so they go over most tops easily. I haven’t found that it stretches out with wear. I think the small percentage of elastane in the fabric helps to maintain its shape. I hope that helps! Ps. Grey is restocking in about a month or so. xo

  4. Catherine P Horvath says:

    Great post. I love look 1! I can’t wait to try it with a few pieces of my own.

  5. Zoe says:

    I loved all the looks, but especially the last all-grey one. The hem on most knitwear is the ribbing or ribbed trim, made from a combination of knit and purl stitches in a single row, which gives it it’s elasticity : )

  6. Brenda says:

    I am so so in love with that sweater as well as the looks you put together, particularly look 1. I just made my first Vetta purchase, the striped boyfriend blouse. Waiting patiently for it to arrive! From all accounts, the quality and versatility are second to none. I am finding that I need to pace myself a little bit, I want to try out everything at once! But that isn’t the point of slow fashion, is it?

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Thanks Brenda! I hope you love your first VETTA purchase! I know what you mean about trying everything at once but you’re so right, slow fashion takes patience and restraint but that just makes it more worthwhile in the end!

  7. Linda M Delsnider says:

    Do you have any other pieces from this Capsule?
    Which ones would you recommend or are really loving?
    Are you able to wear a coat on top of this sweater without feeling overstuffed ?
    Cheers! Linda

    • Lee the Bee says:

      Hi Linda, This is the only piece I have from the Minimal Capsule but all the pieces look great! I try to limit how many items I add but this was a tough one.

      I really like the Stretch Ankle Pant and the Convertible Shirt Dress is great for folks who work in an office. I think the Reversible Jumper would be fabulous over fitted sweaters and tights with ankle boots and the Long Cardigan is lovely but wasn’t a great fit for me (see the review here).

      The sweater fits well into my coats, most of which are rather loose-fitting which helps. Something like a fitted jean or leather jacket would be a bit bunchy over it. I hope that helps a bit!

  8. Amanda says:

    I love how you styled it in Look #1; I never would have thought of mixing it up that way.

  9. Jodie says:

    I really loved this post Lee!
    Love to see you re wearing and re imagining pieces!
    The temperatures have dipped a little here too, and it’s gotten me pretty excited for my favorite season.
    Have a great weekend!