The sweater dress has reclaimed it's cool, and is the perfect party season precursor

Never mind the nay-sayers: it’s officially OK to talk about Christmas.

Put a tree up for all we care. Surely, this year more than ever, what the world needs is a hit of neon light-induced euphoria and a bag of tinsel — biodegradable, of course.

There’s an accompanying wardrobe item to help you tread intrepidly into this season of peace on earth and goodwill to all men. It’s the sweater dress. Warm, flexible and, when chosen wisely, the perfect party-season partner, a fine-knit one-piece is the style equivalent of dipping your toe into Christmas without going the full Cliff Richard.

It helps that there are loads of them around this winter, with a host of our favourite sweater specialists adding dresses to their remit. Chinti & Parker, the British jumper turned ready-to-wear label founded by Londoners Anna Singh and Rachael Wood, is among the leaders in this field — not least because it seems to have a firm grasp of the notion that a sweater dress is worthy of a place on the dance floor as well as in your weekend pub attire.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the brand recently unveiled a collection of sweater dresses which are neither shy nor retiring. One part Studio 54, another part put-together office exec, the collection spans Lurex and striped merino. A phenomenally festive knitted gold shirt dress is among the headline pieces.

But Chinti & Parker are not the only ones breathing new life into knitwear this season. Stella McCartney has a sumptuous full-length fir-green knitted dress in her current collection which would give a major boost to any December wardrobe, while Bottega Veneta’s much-coveted AW19 offering includes a red sweater dress Christmas dreams are made of.

The joy of the knitted dress, aside from its obvious warmth, undoubtedly hinges on its flexibility.

While a cocktail dress can feel a bit much for a Monday in the office, the sweater dress fits in perfectly, and will continue to do so post-5pm when you’re sinking champagne somewhere far more exotic.

It’s also wholly adaptable. When a low-key look is your wish, your jumper dress of choice will work beautifully with a pair of hiking boots and an oversized blazer. And when it’s time to jazz things up, a jersey dress is a fine companion for a pair of velvet kitten heels and the party bag of your choice.

In keeping with our determination to make considered wardrobe choices and buy clothes which live on longer than your Christmas tree, this is a look that’s unlikely to date anytime soon.

Timeless shapes — think long-sleeve, shirt-style or anything with an oversized collar — will continue to appeal season after season. It’s also worth investing in quality.

Provided you can keep the moths at bay, a cashmere sweater dress is one of those wardrobe building blocks you’ll never tire of.

After all, a great dress is not just for Christmas.

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