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How to wear a sweater over a shirt

  • 14 February 2025
  • Pascal van den Beemd

Why is it nice to wear a shirt-sweater combination?

Wearing just a shirt during the autumn and winter days can sometimes feel too cold. It’s nice to make sure you’re wearing a T-shirt underneath. If that’s not enough, a sweater offers an excellent solution. Besides the practical aspect, it’s also a personal twist you can add to your outfit, which can make your look much more colorful. With a shirt under a sweater, you’re always good to go.

How do you combine a shirt under a sweater or pullover, and with which color combinations?

Often, a shirt is worn with a sweater, and then the color of the shirt is considered. If it has a pattern with other colors, it’s good to match those colors with your pullover. This creates a stylish shirt-sweater combination. An important general rule is that the colors should have enough contrast. Dark and light contrasts often work well, just like a white shirt that combines well with almost any color sweater. Common color combinations include:

White shirt with a dark sweater (blue, grey, green, or red)Black shirt with a yellow sweaterLight blue shirt with a dark blue sweater

Are all shirt collars suitable for combining with a sweater?

Yes, generally, you can wear almost any type of collar with a pullover or zipper. If you want the shirt collar to stay tightly in place, look for a Hidden Button Down (HBD), which, as the name suggests, has a hidden button inside the collar that keeps it neatly in place. Additionally, the Cut Away and Widespread collars are also suitable. These collars are reinforced and cut in such a way that they don’t shift much.

Should you wear the shirt collar inside or outside the pullover?

Both are absolutely fine, but when it’s a bit neater and more formal, you wear the collar inside the sweater. For a more casual or informal look, you can also wear the collar outside the sweater.

Job 3839 Bus Kopieren
White shirt combination with dark pullover (V-neck)

When do you choose which neckline for a sweater?

This is very personal and also varies by sector or profession. Some people prefer a V-neck sweater. A V-neck gives a more laid-back appearance and feels open around the neck. You could also choose to open an extra button. Others find it more fitting to wear a sweater with a round neckline. A round neckline tends to close a bit higher, keeping the collar neatly in place with just the top button undone. This gives a more reserved impression. Both necklines are suitable for combining with a shirt.

When do you choose a shirt with a pattern and when without?

This is highly personal. Look at the occasion and the sector you work in. A pullover will often make a bold, striking print less noticeable, so the shirt’s pattern will only be visible at the collar and sleeves. For formal occasions, we recommend wearing a micro pattern or no pattern at all, as this could be distracting and inappropriate. For informal occasions and/or if there are no specific requirements, it’s fun to explore patterns where shapes and colors come together well.

Job 4464
Shirt with floral pattern combined with dark blue V-neck pullover

How do you combine a shirt with a zipper sweater?

When wearing a zipper sweater, it’s good to know that this collar is often upright. We often see a subtle accent being added to give the zipper sweater a sporty twist, such as a color nuance around the zipper or the zipper in a different color to make it stand out. So, try wearing this as a shirt-sweater combination too.

What type of sweater material is best to wear with a shirt?

Sweaters come in lambswool, merino wool, and cotton. We recommend trying all of them on so you can feel the difference and determine what suits you best. Here’s a brief explanation:

  • Lambswool: Comes from the first shearing of young lambs. If you have sensitive skin, this type of wool can feel itchy on bare skin, and you may find it uncomfortable. Additionally, lambswool is very warm.
  • Merino: Comes from the Merino sheep and is known for its high-quality wool. It feels thin but regulates temperature better. This variant often has a slim fit and gives a modern look.
  • Cotton: Is more durable, easier to wash, and skin-friendly. Often, after wearing the sweater for a while, it may feel looser than at first, but once washed, the sweater fits more snugly again.
Shirt with print combined with burgundy V-neck pullover

What is the ultimate layering combination?

Once the colors are well-matched and the fit suits the person wearing it, you’ve got the ultimate layering combination. Our tip: search for the right material, cotton or merino wool, the important thing is that you feel comfortable in it. Then consider the size; be critical, will you always wear a shirt underneath? If so, try this sweater on with a shirt underneath. You might find that a size larger than usual works better for this.

How do you further combine layers?

You can consider a fitting cardigan. We also offer cardigans in various materials and with different collars. A nice addition to your wardrobe since a cardigan is easy to put on and take off. Additionally, it’s also nice to wear a beautiful pullover with a shirt underneath a blazer. However, make sure not to wear a thick or chunky sweater underneath.

Pascal van den Beemd

Pascal is an expert copywriter with a passion for menswear and sharing practical advice. With his perceptive writing, he shares valuable tips to help every man breathe new life into his wardrobe. Follow this blog for the latest fashion trends and discover how to live confidently in style.

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