Donegal Sweater Dress + Riding Boots

For some reason, a feminine, trim fitting sweater dress has always reminded me of Doris Day. I’m not sure if she wore a sweater dress in one of her classic movies or if that image is just something I conjured up in my mind. But I love Doris Day movies and I love a pretty sweater dress. And that’s why I’m excited to share this Donegal sweater dress with my black riding boots today. But before I share my new dress, I have an old sweater dress to share.

Ha, ha! That picture was taken a little more than 30 years ago, just before my then new hubby and I left for our honeymoon. Do brides still wear going away dresses? At any rate, this is the Doris Day-like sweater dress I left my wedding in. I absolutely adored that dress!

My new Donegal sweater dress doesn’t look quite as Doris-like (and I’m not nearly as thin!), but I’m enjoying this body skimming sweater dress all the same.

Donegal knit is the term used for this type of tweed-like yarn knit fabric. Donegal, Ireland is where this style of knitwear originated, and it’s a very old speckled, textured yarn. However, it’s experiencing a surge in popularity right now, and you’ll find pullovers, cardigans, scarves, hats and of course dresses in this trending knit.

I like that this dress is not especially heavy, as some sweater dresses are. If insulation is a factor for you, you could certainly wear a full length slip or tank and half slip (or even Cuddl Duds) underneath for added warmth. But the dress is fairly lightweight.

This is a great dress for work, church or any other time you want a simple, chic and comfortable dress. The button cowl neck does not bother me at all, and I think it provides interest, a little warmth and added style. I’m wearing a Medium, and I often wear a Small in Talbots dresses. But I didn’t want this one to cling to me, so I went with the larger of my two normal sizes.

I added simple gold jewelry, but you could just as easily go with silver pieces. I’ve add a few pretty options for necklaces in the shopping widget below. You’d want it to be fairly long to accommodate the cowl neck.

For a pop of color and a little contrast, I chose to carry my Michael Kors messenger bag.

I ordered these black riding boots just recently and I’m thoroughly enjoying wearing them. I have the wide calf fit, and they work well for me. But I really do have wide calves! They come in six great shades.

Of course Doris Day probably wouldn’t have worn riding boots with her sweater dress. She would have opted for sheer black hose and black patent pumps! While I wouldn’t suggest that combo, I do think that sheer black tights and black suede pumps would look great with this classic sweater dress. And I think Doris would approve.

Shop the Look:

You can shop my look in the widget below. I also added some other sweater dresses and additional necklace options. Unfortunately, my dress is no longer available in the red picture below. But it is available in this black Donegal and a grey heather with a blue shimmer.

***Right now at Talbots, get 30% off your purchase with code HOLIDAY. But today Talbots Classic Awards members can get 40% off their purchase + 50% off one item.***

Do you like to wear sweater dresses? What about riding boots? What kind of dress do you prefer for this time of year?

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and that you’ll take just a minute to pin it to one of your Pinterest boards and/or share it on Facebook. I know some of you do that every day, and I really appreciate it. So thank you very much.

Of course, I’ve used affiliate links in this post, so when you shop through my links and purchase something I potentially earn a commission. Thank you. I don’t take that for granted.

I’ve linked today’s post with Jo-Lynne Shane’s Fashion Friday Link-Up. Be sure to check out some of the other great style ideas there.

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Blessed for My Day

How many times have you heard someone say that God will not give you more than you can handle? If you’ve heard that statement and believed it to be accurate, you’ve probably also wondered, then, how come you felt like He’d definitely given you more than you could handle? Perhaps you’ve even winced at that statement because it insinuated that you somehow just weren’t holding up your end of the bargain. But actually, that statement just isn’t true. God does allow us to face situations that are unequivocally more than we can handle. That’s why we sometimes feel like we are about to fall down under the weight of it all. 

But here’s the truth. God will not allow you to face more than He can handle. He longs for opportunities to prove to you His strength, His sufficiency, His nearness and His love for you. When we bend the knee and admit that we can’t handle our life circumstances on our own, our God rises to the occasion. He rushes to our assistance, points the way, refreshes our soul and carries the weight. And then, glory of glories, we have the opportunity to brag on Him to others. Indeed, when we are weak, He is strong.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-9