Meghan Markle and Emily Ratajkowski Know the Trick to Making Winter Knits Instantly Sexier

Functionality rules winter fashion: We turn to our tried-and-true sweaters, fleece-lined leggings, and oversized parkas to get us through cold days. But, as a result, we often have to forfeit style; generally speaking, puffer coats just aren’t that chic. It’s that “do I look good and freeze my ass off or just wear the same sweater again?” conundrum that leads to many a winter fashion rut. But there’s one often-looked over style that solves both problems, and it’s a go-to for Meghan Markle (who even got married in it). 

Revealing a little clavicle is the Hollywood-approved trick to making winter knits sexier, with everyone from Emily Ratajkowski and Emily Blunt to Hailey Bieber, and yes, even the Duchess of Sussex opting for off-the-shoulder styles. As celebrities have expertly shown, the hack makes all of those winter-favorites, including knit dresses and cozy sweaters, almost instantly more dressed up without forfeiting warmth. It’s also, IMO, the best solution for holiday party dressing-woes — it’s seasonal and sexy.

Shop 10 off-the-shoulder styles you can wear this winter, starting at $19.

• Old Navy SoSoft Off-the-Shoulder Sweater, $22 (Originally $45); oldnavy.gap.com
• Banana Republic Off-the-Shoulder Sweater, $19 (Originally $80); bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com
• Zaful Waffle-Knit Off-the-Shoulder Sweater, $33 with coupon (Originally 36); amazon.com
• Free People Anya Off-the-Shoulder Tunic, $78; freepeople.com
• Wayf Georgie Off-the-Shoulder Sweater, $79; nordstrom.com
• Reformation Elio Knit Top, $98; thereformation.com
• Abercrombie and Fitch Off-The-Shoulder Midi Sweater Dress, $110; abercrombie.com
• Skims Knit Off-the-Shoulder Dress, $118; skims.com
• Naadam Cashmere Off-the-Shoulder Dress, $138 with code RSVP (Originally $275); naadam.com
• Splendid Harlow Off-the-Shoulder Sweater, $150 (Originally $188); nordstrom.com

Old Navy SoSoft Off-the-Shoulder Sweater 

If you’re wanting to get Markle’s look for less, consider grabbing Old Navy’s SoSoft Off-the-Shoulder Sweater, which is available in six colors, sizes XS-4XL, and boasts more than 500 five-star ratings. One fan called the sweater “very comfy” and “sexy,” while another person wrote, “The off-the-shoulder design gives this super soft sweater a sensual look. I really feel beautiful with it on.” Other customers were impressed by how versatile the now-$22 sweater is, writing that it “can be worn with jeans for a casual look or dressed up with wide-leg pants.”

Free People Anya Off-the-Shoulder Tunic

For a slightly more casual, oversized look, Free People Anya Off-the-Shoulder Tunic is a must. Between the folded-over neckline and snowy color, this feels like an updated (and warmer) version of Keira Knightley’s iconic Love Actually knit top. “This is sexy and cozy,” wrote one customer, adding that “lays fantastically” and “doesn’t add bulk to [their] stature.” And according to another person, the look of this sweater is “gorgeous,” and the material feels “heavy [and] high quality.” 

Abercrombie and Fitch Off-the-Shoulder Midi Sweater Dress

ICYMI, Abercrombie did a pretty major rebrand over a year ago and shoppers are kind of obsessed with the timeless, more grown-up styles coming from the iconic mall brand, and this body-con sweater dress is a favorite. According to one customer, the dress is “so beautiful,” “hugging all [their] curves” while looking “elegant” thanks to the off-the-shoulder design. “I received many compliments [but,] most importantly, I felt very confident in it,” they gushed. Another person called it “the comfiest dress [they] have ever put on their body,” adding that it’s “such a staple piece for a capsule wardrobe,” while one other shopper raved that the “incredibly soft and comfortable” dress is “so flattering and in all the right places.”

Off-the-shoulder sweaters and sweater dresses are the key to making your winter wardrobe just a touch sexier. Shop more styles inspired by the celebrity-favorite hack below.

Wayf Georgie Off-the-Shoulder Sweater

Zaful Waffle-Knit Off-the-Shoulder Sweater

Naadam Cashmere Off-the-Shoulder Dress

Banana Republic Off-the-Shoulder Sweater

Skims Knit Off-the-Shoulder Dress