Jumper dress. The words evoke easy dressing and keeping snug, and with good reason. But please know that these sweater, knit or knitted frocks, as they are variously called, can also be classically chic.

COSY Christopher John Rogers £1.035 Net a P

Christopher John Rogers £1.035 Net a Porter

And this season they are also bringing a new sensibility to A/W23’s sleek body-con silhouette.

And “cosy” is not the right word for many of the current crop. Instead, they come striped, ribbed and plain, in midi, maxi and knee-length and in a variety of yarns.

NON-COSY Cut-outs stretch knit, £1,590, Tom Ford

Cut-outs stretch knit, £1,590, Tom Ford

Find premium ones by Christopher John Rogers and in oversized maxi-length cashmere by Raey.

Find more affordable ones at LK Bennett, Massimo Dutti and Cos, and find them at under £100 at many brands including Monsoon, Joe Browns, Roman Originals, M&S and Zara.

NON-COSY Button embellished Balmain ribbed knit midi dress , £2,195, Net a Porter

Button embellished Balmain ribbed knit midi dress, £2,195, Net a Porter

Far-from-cosy iterations have also been seen at Tom Ford, Gucci, Balmain among other runways.

SEMI-COSY V-neck knitted jumper dress, Cos £95 V-1 MODEL

V-neck knitted jumper dress, Cos £95

Alluring, similarly non-cosy versions, often without sleeves, with cut-outs, keyholes and bare shoulders, are now available from many brands at many price-points including Self Portrait, Me+Em, Massimo Dutti, Cos and from Nobody’s Child at M&S.

What’s more jumper dresses can be dressed up or down. Teamed with a bomber, a biker or trucker jacket they look casual, and smart with high boots and a blazer.

Wear one with heels and a bijou bag, and this jumper dress is quickly elevated for a date or dinner night or a low-key party.