How to Wear a Crew Neck Sweater

Co-authored by Susan Kim and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 12, 2023 References

Crewnecks, which are pullover sweaters with a round neck, are a classic garment that can be worn with many outfits. Although they are similar to other sweaters in their scoop-necked style, they are usually made of more casual and affordable materials. If you’d like to incorporate a crewneck sweater into your wardrobe, make sure to find one that fits you well, layer it appropriately, and choose whether to keep it casual or dress it up to create modern, fashion-forward outfits.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dressing Up the Sweater

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Layer your crewneck over a button-down shirt to dress it up. If you want to wear your crewneck to the office, try putting a button-down shirt underneath of it. Pull the collar of your button-down out of the crewneck so that the top sticks out.^{[1]
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Susan Kim
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Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.} Make sure your collar is centered and folded down.^{[2]
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- Choose a button-down that goes with the color of your crewneck.
- If you work in a formal office, a crewneck may not be dressed up enough.
Wearing your crewneck to the office can be done if you pair it with the right pants. Dark wash jeans for a more casual office environment look great with a light gray crewneck sweater. Or, khaki pants with a navy blue crewneck will elevate your outfit even more.^{[3]
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Crewnecks can add a casual note to your outfit. To keep it business casual, add a blazer on top of your crewneck. Choose a dark blazer if your crewneck is light, like gray or brown. Or, go with a lighter blazer over a dark crewneck.^{[4]
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Tip: Add cuff links to your blazer if you want to elevate your outfit.
Suits are automatically dressy, so adding a crewneck to one won’t dress it down too much. Choose a navy blue suit and pair it with a gray crewneck to keep a business casual vibe. Wear a dark watch to complete this look.^{[5]
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5
Knot a tie underneath your crewneck to make it formal. To create the look of a 3-piece suit while being laid-back, add a button-down with a tie underneath of your crewneck. Make sure the knot of your tie barely sticks out of the top of your crewneck. If the neck of your crewneck is too small, you may not be able to see the knot, and it will just look lumpy.^{[6]
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- Add a blazer to make this look more formal, or keep it casual with a pea coat.
6
Wear loafers, boots, or wedges with your crewneck to stay formal. Crewnecks can easily be dressed up or down, so to make sure you are office appropriate, stick with loafers or closed-toed boots to complete your outfit. In the warmer months, try wearing wedges to dress up your crewneck.^{[7]
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- Sneakers and strappy sandals will not be formal enough to dress up a crewneck.
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Add some simple earrings or a necklace to compliment your crewneck. Since crewnecks are fairly plain, they won’t compete with any jewelry you add to them. Try wearing a thin-chain necklace and a pair of dangle earrings to add detail and intrigue to your outfit.^{[8]
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- Simple gold jewelry would look great with a light gray crewneck.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Your Crewneck Casual

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Pair your sweater with jeans for a classic, casual outfit. Crewneck sweaters are very versatile, which means you can create classic looks with them easily. Wear your sweater with dark wash jeans and boots for a classic look that you can wear almost anywhere. If your crewneck is dark, pair it with light wash jeans.^{[9]
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- Wear your crewneck with a t-shirt underneath of it to layer on warmer days.
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Pull a crewneck over a flowery dress for a feminine look. Crewnecks hit right at your waist, so they can add definition to an otherwise shapeless dress. Throw on a crewneck that goes with your dress pattern to create an interesting outfit while staying warm.^{[10]
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- A crewneck will turn your dress into a skirt and top combination.
If your crewneck is a solid color, you may be looking for a way to mix it up in your outfits. Choose a shirt with a smaller neck than your crewneck so it will stick out of the top. Make sure your shirt adds a pop of color, like maroon or navy blue. Complete your outfit with jeans and sneakers to keep it casual.^{[11]
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Tip: Black and white striped crewnecks also look great with a pop of color underneath of them.
4
Put on a patterned crewneck for a pop of color. Plain crewnecks are a staple in any wardrobe, but patterned ones can add some spice to your outfit. Look for a striped or brightly colored crewneck to add dimension to your look. Pair it with plain pants and a jacket to make it stand out.^{[12]
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- Striped crewnecks go well with almost any outfit.
5
Add a puffy jacket to stay warm in the winter. Crewnecks can keep you warm as well as looking great. In the wintertime, layer a puffy jacket over your crewneck to keep your temperature up while you look casual. Wear a dark jacket over a light crewneck and a light jacket over a dark one.^{[13]
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- Layer a long-sleeved shirt under your crewneck to help keep you warm.
- Add boots and a pair of dark washed jeans to complete this outfit.
Crewnecks were initially designed to be worn during exercise. Call back to their original intent by pairing your crewneck with a pair of sneakers. Go with running shoes if you are going to be active that day, or stick with some clean walking shoes that go with the color of your sweater.^{[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing and Caring for Your Sweater

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Look proportionate by finding a sweater that hits you at your waist. Crewneck sweaters can look long or baggy if they sit below your natural waistline. Find a sweater that hits just above your hips without bunching up to keep your torso looking proportionate. Avoid crewnecks that are too long or too short.
- You can purchase a cropped crewneck sweater if you want to make your torso look shorter than it is.
2
Avoid wearing a crewneck that bunches under the arms. If your crewneck creases and bunches underneath your armpits, it is probably slightly too small for you. This can make your arms look too large for your body, and will probably be uncomfortable to wear over time. Try a size up to find a crewneck that does not bunch up or pinch you in the arms.
- Try on your crewneck wearing only a t-shirt underneath of it so you know how it will fit when you layer it.
3
Buy a wide-neck if you want to layer your sweater. Some crewnecks have fairly small neck holes that can be hard to layer button-down shirts in. If you are thinking of wearing your crewneck over button-downs and ties, purchase one that has a wider neck so that you will be able to see the shirt you layer under it.
- Wear a button-down when you try on your crewneck to see if there will be enough room to see it.
4
Stick with a solid colored crewneck for a classier look. If you’d like to wear your sweater to the office or a semi-formal event, choose a crewneck that is a solid, neutral color. This will give you the most outfit options and will let you pair your sweater with slacks and blazers easily.^{[15]
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- Grays and blues are the easiest to pair with other colors.
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Choose a patterned crewneck if you want to make a statement. Crewnecks are more than just sweaters: they are fashion statement pieces. Buy a crewneck that has a fun pattern or a bright color to have heads turning and admiring your new look.^{[16]
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- Pair a patterned sweater with plain jeans to make it stand out even more. Or, try your hand at pattern blocking and add a pair of plaid pants or a skirt.
Most crewneck sweaters are made of materials that won’t shrink when they are washed or dried. Just to be safe, wash your sweater in cold water with like colors and dry it on low. You can also hang it to dry if you are worried about shrinking.^{[17]
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Tip: Check the tag on your crewneck to see what the manufacturer recommends before washing your crewneck.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What can I wear under a crewneck sweater?

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

If you want to dress your sweater up more, try putting a button-up shirt underneath so the collar sticks out from the top.

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Question

How do I accessorize a crewneck sweater?

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Try wrapping a belt around your waist to give the sweater some shape and pairing it with some knee-high boots.

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