Embellished Jumpers: How to Style & What to Buy

Embellished jumpers are the ultimate statement piece that instantly elevates any outfit from basic to brilliant, transforming your winter wardrobe with sequins, beading, embroidery, or metallic threads that catch the light beautifully. As someone who's styled countless clients through decades of fashion evolution, I can tell you that these decorative knits are having a major moment right now, and for good reason – they're the perfect antidote to dreary winter days and offer endless versatility when you know how to style them properly.

The beauty of an embellished jumper lies in its ability to do all the styling work for you. Whether you're heading to a festive gathering, a casual weekend brunch, or even the office (yes, really!), the right embellished knit can be your secret weapon for looking effortlessly put-together whilst staying cosy and comfortable.

The Art of Styling Embellished Jumpers

The golden rule I always share with my clients is this: let your embellished jumper be the star of the show. This means keeping everything else relatively simple and allowing the decorative details to take centre stage. I've seen too many fashion disasters where someone's paired a heavily beaded jumper with equally busy bottoms – trust me, less is definitely more here.

For daytime styling, I love pairing embellished jumpers with dark wash jeans or sleek black trousers. The contrast between casual bottoms and a dressy top creates that perfect high-low mix that's so on-trend right now. Add ankle boots or clean white trainers, and you've got an outfit that works for everything from coffee dates to casual Fridays.

Evening styling is where embellished jumpers truly shine. Tuck yours into a midi or mini skirt – leather, satin, or even a simple black pencil skirt works beautifully. The key is choosing bottoms in a solid colour that complements rather than competes with your jumper's embellishments.

Colour Coordination Secrets

When working with embellished jumpers, I always consider the dominant colours in the embellishment first. If you've got silver sequins, stick to cool tones like navy, black, grey, or white. Gold or bronze details pair beautifully with warm neutrals like camel, chocolate brown, or cream. For multicoloured embellishments, pick out one colour from the design and build your outfit around that.

One styling trick I've perfected over the years is the "echo technique" – if your jumper has burgundy embroidery, add burgundy accessories like a handbag or shoes to create a cohesive look without being too matchy-matchy.

High Street Heroes

Let's talk about where to find the best embellished jumpers without breaking the bank. Zara consistently delivers on-trend embellished knits with sophisticated detailing that rivals designer pieces. Their buyers have an excellent eye for what's current, and sizing is generally reliable across their knitwear range.

COS offers beautifully minimal embellished pieces with subtle metallic threads or tonal embroidery that feel effortlessly chic rather than over-the-top. Their Scandinavian aesthetic means you'll find pieces that stand the test of time.

Mango has become my go-to recommendation for clients wanting something special but affordable. Their embellished jumpers often feature intricate beadwork and sequining that photographs beautifully and feels more expensive than the price point suggests.

For classic elegance with a twist, M&S has really stepped up their game recently. Their Autograph range includes some gorgeous embellished cashmere blends that are perfect for the office or smart-casual events.

Whistles sits in that sweet spot between high street and designer, offering sophisticated embellished knits with interesting textures and unexpected details. I particularly love their use of contrasting threads and subtle sparkle.

Reiss delivers contemporary embellished pieces that feel very now. Their designs often feature strategic placement of embellishments that's flattering on various body shapes, and the quality is consistently excellent.

H&M might surprise you with their embellished knitwear – whilst you need to be selective, they often have statement pieces that are perfect for experimenting with trends without a huge investment.

Premium Picks

When you're ready to invest a bit more, look to brands like Ted Baker for their signature attention to detail and unique prints combined with subtle embellishment. French Connection offers contemporary cuts with interesting textural elements, whilst All Saints brings their signature edge to embellished knitwear with unexpected details and premium fabrics.

Luxury & Designer Options

For special occasions or investment pieces, designer embellished jumpers from brands like Max Mara offer unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless appeal. These pieces are designed to last decades and often feature hand-applied embellishments that make them truly special.

Hidden Gems Worth Discovering

Two brands I've recently discovered and absolutely adore are Essentiel Antwerp, a Belgian brand known for their playful yet sophisticated embellished knits with unexpected colour combinations, and Ganni, the Danish label creating Instagram-worthy embellished jumpers that perfectly capture Scandi-cool aesthetics with just the right amount of sparkle.

Sizing Considerations

Here's something crucial that many people overlook: embellished jumpers often fit differently than regular knits due to the weight and stiffness of embellishments. Always check the fabric composition and consider sizing up if the piece is heavily embellished, as this can affect drape and comfort.

Never Guess Your Size Again with Tellar

This is exactly where tellar.co.uk becomes invaluable. As the UK's leading sizing tool, Tellar matches your body exactly to over 1500 brands instantly, so you'll never need to look at a size guide again! It's a game-changer for online shopping, especially with embellished jumpers where fit is so crucial.

Here's how it works:

1. Measure once using your bust, waist, hip measurements, or your existing brand size. This creates your personal sizing profile that works across all brands.

2. Use their tellar.co.uk

tellar.co.uk

Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Best Buys

Final Styling Tips

Remember, confidence is your best accessory when wearing embellished jumpers. These pieces are meant to be noticed, so embrace the sparkle and wear them with pride. Start with one statement embellished jumper and build your comfort level from there – I promise you'll soon be reaching for them far more often than you'd expect.

The key to mastering embellished jumpers is understanding that they're not just for special occasions. With the right styling approach, they can become hardworking pieces in your everyday wardrobe that make you feel special every time you wear them.