The 12 Best Oversized Sweaters for Women in 2023

This winter, baggier is better.

Ellie Delphine wears an oversized sweater
(Image credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

Maximum comfort has become a stalwart theme in fashion as of late. You saw it with the loungewear boom of two years ago that almost made "hard pants" (essentially any trouser with a non-elastic waist) extinct. Even the knitwear space, an industry niche that's already synonymous with coziness, was taken to new comfortable frontiers when all of the best sweaters began to grow baggier and boxier. And at the heart of this sweater trend that revolves around relaxed fits is a simple fact: In times of strife—or, rather, just whenever you want—the best oversized sweaters double as emotional support blankets.

"I’ve always been a big fan of oversized women's sweaters (who doesn’t like cozying into a wearable blanket when it’s cold and wet outside?)," Heather Newberger, stylist and fashion writer, shares over email. "But there are absolutely some things you need to keep in mind when purchasing." Ahead, the fashion stylist breaks down what's key to consider when shopping for a relaxed-fitting sweater and offers insight on how to style an oversized sweater so the loose silhouette doesn't completely overwhelm your look. You'll also find 12 of the best oversized women's sweaters on 2023's market ready to shop, too, so ensure your debit card is at the ready.

What to Look For

  • Materials

"For one, I’d ask yourself: How sensitive is your skin? There are a ton of different fabric blends out there, but not everyone is suited for your individual needs," details Newberger. "Even just touching a sweater in the store isn’t always the easiest test, as your hands are much rougher than the rest of your body. I suggest taking a look at what sweaters you already have/love and getting an idea of what materials they’re made of before heading out to shop. Make sure to cross-reference these materials with what you’re interested in prior to purchase because it doesn’t matter how cute something is if you’re never going to wear it."

  • Climate

"I’d also take into account the climate of the environment you live in, or where you plan to wear your sweater," offers the How to Date Your Wardrobe author. "A lot of (specifically fast fashion) retailers don’t put in the extra effort to make sweaters actually warm. They use cheap materials, in addition to polyblends, etc., so while they may look great on the rack or on your body, they may not hold up to the scrutiny of the outdoors. Nordic brands (such as the mid-tiered & Other Stories)," shouts out Newberger, "do a great job of bringing both style and substance to their sweaters."

Shop the Best Oversized Women's Sweaters


Meet the Expert

 Heather Newberger
Heather Newberger

Heather Newberger is a fashion stylist, author, and television commentator. Her mission is to help people find joy and self expression through clothing. An imaginative and discerning creative, Heather’s inspired point of view uniquely reflects her commitment to championing all genders, shapes, and sizes. She is devoted to creating inclusivity within the fashion industry. Heather’s first book "How to Date Your Wardrobe" is available for purchase wherever books are sold.

Emma Childs
Fashion Features Editor

Emma is the fashion features editor at Marie Claire, where she writes deep-dive trend reports, zeitgeisty fashion featurettes on what style tastemakers are wearing, long-form profiles on emerging designers and the names to know, and human interest vignette-style round-ups. Previously, she was Marie Claire's style editor, where she wrote shopping e-commerce guides and seasonal trend reports, assisted with the market for fashion photo shoots, and assigned and edited fashion celebrity news.

Emma also wrote for The Zoe Report, Editorialist, Elite Daily, Bustle, and Mission Magazine. She studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University Lincoln Center and launched her own magazine, Childs Play Magazine, in 2015 as a creative pastime. When she's not waxing poetic about niche fashion topics, you'll find her stalking eBay for designer vintage, reading literary fiction on her Kindle, and baking banana bread in her tiny NYC kitchen.