How to Style a Plum Sweater: Modest Outfit Ideas for Winter

A plum sweater is one of those pieces that looks rich without trying. It's deeper and softer than a bright purple, so it reads almost like a dark neutral, and it adds warmth to a winter wardrobe full of grey, camel and navy.

If you've never worn purple, plum is the easiest way in. Here's how I wear mine for everyday, work and Shabbos.

Know your shade of plum

• Classic plum. A deep, reddish purple. Elegant with grey, camel and cream.
• Aubergine. Almost black with a purple glow. It works like a dark neutral and is very easy for the office.
• Mulberry or berry. A little brighter and pinker. Pretty with charcoal, denim and blush.
• Heather plum. Plum mixed with grey. Soft and casual, lovely with oatmeal and grey.

If you're buying just one, a classic plum or aubergine crew or turtleneck in a soft wool blend is the most versatile place to start.

Sweater styles to look for

• Fine-knit turtleneck. Covers the neckline and tucks neatly into a skirt. See how to style a turtleneck.
• Chunky cable knit. Cozy for weekends with a simple skirt. More in how to style a cable-knit sweater.
• Collared sweater. A plum knit with a little collar looks polished for work. See how to style a collared sweater.
• Cardigan. A plum cardigan over a cream or grey top is an easy layer.
• Mohair or brushed knit. Soft texture makes plum look dressier for Shabbos.

For modest dressing, look for long sleeves, a high or crew neckline and a length that reaches the hip, so it stays covered when you lift your arms.

Colors that go with plum

• Grey. The easiest pairing. Plum with heather or charcoal grey looks calm and grown-up. See how to style a charcoal skirt.
• Camel and tan. Warm and rich. A camel skirt or coat with plum always looks put together. See how to style a camel skirt.
• Cream and ivory. Light and fresh, and it lets the plum stand out.
• Navy. A quiet, deep combination that feels very polished. More in how to style a navy skirt.
• Olive. Earthy and a little unexpected. See how to style an olive skirt.
• Blush and dusty rose. Soft and pretty next to berry tones. See how to style a blush sweater.
• Chocolate brown. Cozy and warm. See how to style a brown skirt.
• Black. Sharp and simple, especially with aubergine.

For more ideas, see winter color combinations.

Skirts that work

• Grey pleated midi. Soft movement and an easy color match. See how to style a pleated skirt.
• Long wool skirt. A camel, charcoal or cream wool maxi keeps a plum knit warm and grounded. See how to style a long wool skirt.
• Satin skirt. A champagne or silver-grey satin skirt with a plum sweater looks lovely for Shabbos. See how to style a satin skirt.
• Denim skirt. Relaxed for weekends, especially with heather plum.
• Plaid or tweed skirt. A grey or camel check with a plum knit feels cozy and a little preppy.

Layers for cold days

• Camel coat. Warm and elegant over plum. See how to style a camel coat.
• Grey or charcoal coat. Calm and classic.
• Cream coat. Bright and fresh against a deep knit.
• Black or grey blazer. Sharpens a plum sweater for work. See how to style a blazer.
• Black puffer. Practical for errands and school runs.

Shoes and tights

• Black boots. The easiest choice with deep plum.
• Grey or taupe suede boots. Soft and tonal.
• Cognac or brown boots. Warmer, great with camel skirts.
• Ballet flats and loafers. Easy for work and Shabbos.
• White sneakers. Fresh for a casual weekend.
• Tights. Black or charcoal tights work with darker skirts, and skin-tone tights keep a light skirt looking soft. More in how to choose tights for long skirts.

Accessories

• Pearls. Plum and pearls look classic and festive. See how to style pearls.
• Gold or silver jewelry. Gold feels warm, silver feels cool and crisp. Both work.
• Headscarf or snood. Grey, cream, camel or a print with plum in it all look lovely. See how to match a headscarf to your outfit.
• Scarf. A grey or camel scarf adds warmth without competing.
• Bag. Black, grey or tan keeps the outfit simple.

Outfit ideas

1. Weekday classic. Plum turtleneck, grey pleated midi, camel coat and black ankle boots.

2. Office day. Aubergine crew, charcoal wool maxi, grey blazer and loafers.

3. Shabbos table. Plum mohair sweater, champagne satin maxi, pearls and ballet flats.

4. Cozy weekend. Chunky heather plum cable knit, denim maxi skirt, white sneakers and a cream headscarf.

5. Winter walk. Plum sweater, camel wool skirt, cognac knee-high boots and a grey scarf.

6. Soft and pretty. Berry knit, cream wool skirt, cream coat and a blush snood.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Too much purple. Plum from head to toe can feel heavy. Keep it to one or two pieces and let grey, camel or cream do the rest.
• Bright clashes. Plum next to bright orange or neon loses its richness. Stick to softer neutrals.
• Thin knits. A sheer sweater can show what's underneath. Choose a thicker knit or layer a fitted top below.
• Too dark overall. Aubergine with black and charcoal can look flat. Add a cream scarf, pearls or a lighter bag near the face.

Quick questions

What color skirt goes with a plum sweater?

Grey, camel, cream, charcoal and navy are the easiest. Olive and chocolate brown are lovely when you want something warmer.

Can I wear a plum sweater to Shabbos?

Yes. A soft plum knit with a satin or wool maxi, pearls and simple flats looks elegant and festive.

Does plum go with brown?

It does. Plum with chocolate or cognac looks warm and cozy, especially with brown boots.

A plum sweater adds depth and color to a winter wardrobe without much effort. Pair it with grey, camel or cream, keep the accessories simple, and it'll become one of your favorite knits.

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