All the ways to wear a jumper dress this winter

Short sleeves, a hem that sits neither too high nor too low, elegant and remarkably easy to wear: that's the Sue By Elen jumper dress at La Redoute. We like the black velvet belt sitting on the hips — though you'll still need to work out how to fill the gap left by those short sleeves, because in winter, as we know, it's cold…

The mini jumper dress won't give you the comfort and warmth of your favourite jeans, but it will deliver a trendy look. The good news? It's a good excuse to invest in leggings if you haven't already, and they should give you an acceptable minimum of protection from the cold… When it comes to fabric, always check the label: warmth varies according to the knit weight and blend; how much real wool it contains is often decisive. Merino wool, recycled wool or a well-balanced blend can make a difference through the winter months.

The classic of the moment: the dress that looks more like a long jumper and is usually worn with leggings and a pair of boots, ankle boots or ballet flats. Cute, on-trend and easy, available at La Redoute.

Change of register: this one is more feminine, resolutely so, rather long, empire line with a drawstring waist and delicate patterns. A word of warning, though: there's no Lycra in this dress, only wool and acrylic — so if you're after a body-hugging style that outlines the silhouette, this isn't for you.

This 'fashion phenomenon' can do chic, too: a plunging back with a band of tiny embroidered beads, long sleeves, a very short, body-hugging dress — perfect for a date night.

Dressed-up style at Ba&sh, elevated with a wide leather belt and a pair of boots: fashionable but never too much. We love it.

Chunky knits are having a moment — you can feel it — and American Retro offers its take on the trend in dress form, and it promises to be warm.

French label Les 3 Suisses prefers it girlie and delicate, in openwork knit with a pattern detail under the bust and at the hem: good enough to eat, and kind to your budget.

A casual look for this pretty dress, sold with a matching scarf, autumn green, brown and that detail that makes the difference: a wide belt to 'dress up' the outfit, all from French label Les 3 Suisses.

You'll keep seeing it everywhere: this little 'newcomer' on the fashion scene. Super body-hugging or loose, short or midi, chunky knit or fine cotton with a touch of elastane, over jeans, leggings, tights… everyone wears it their own way, and that's probably part of its charm. Fans of casual, dressy, boho or even chic looks will find something here; there are plenty of styles, and sometimes a small detail — a belt, leggings, ankle boots — is all it takes to give even the simplest jumper dress a completely different feel. So here's a lovely edit of knits in every guise to warm your heart.

Budget

When it comes to budget, the jumper dress remains one of the most accessible pieces of the season: expect to pay around £30–£60 for an entry-level synthetic blend, £60–£150 for a piece with an interesting drape in wool or organic cotton, and upwards of £150 for designers working with more intricate knits or luxury wools. Price varies mostly according to how much real wool is in the composition, the fineness of the knit and the country of manufacture. You'll find them everywhere: high street stores, ready-to-wear labels, online shops and, for the patient, second-hand — the plainest piece often ends up being the one you already reach for.