Reader Elena wrote into TME this month asking for suggestions on how to wear the Zella Amazing Cozy Wrap Jacket and ideas for what types of tops to wear underneath.

Here’s the catch with answering Elena’s question, though. She specifically stated that she doesn’t work out for medical reasons, so she’s not looking for exercise outfits to wear with the cozy wrap. Hmmmmm. This part of the question gave me pause.

The Zella sweatshirt jacket is so freaking soft and cozy that I primarily wear the snuggly sweatshirt wrap over workout clothes on my way to an exercise class or as a cuddly top layer around the house. The longer length of the jacket lends itself perfectly to layering over leggings and workout tops…and the cozy softness makes it ideal for wearing over joggers and comfy house clothes.

Cozy + Versatile: This Zella Wrap Jacket Is Perfect For Casual Fall Outfits

Jacket (S) | Leggings (6) | Sports Bra (8) | Sneaks

After Elena’s question this week, however, I did play around a bit with a few “out-and-about” ways I might wear the black Zella wrap this fall with jeans. I was pretty happy with some of the results. The looks are still casual (the jacket IS sweatshirt material) but definitely have a different feel over denim. In addition, though, to the non-workout looks Elena requested, I did include the workout and lounging pieces I’ll be wearing this fall with the Zella jacket. I can’t ignore that this jacket is IDEAL for pre- and post-workout and lounging.

Elena specifically asked for some under-$100 base outfit pieces as well, so if the pieces I’m wearing are not in that range, beneath each look I include links to additional under-$100 options that have a similar vibe. Elena, I was specifically thinking of you with No. 2, No. 6 and No. 8 below, and I gave several budget-friendly options of tops in those categories. Hope this helps!

For Workouts Or Casual Nights On The Town: 9 Ways To Style The Zella Wrap Jacket

For those of you unfamiliar with Zella’s Amazing Cozy Wrap Jacket, its name is everything. Yes…the words “amazing” and “cozy” are both included in the official name. You can see the details of the jacket coziness below, where I’m wearing the gray version back in 2020. The inside is a fuzzy, furry, wildly soft lining. The first time I wore it, my little guy literally climbed up underneath it and nuzzled in kangaroo-pouch style.

Wrap Sweatshirt Jacket

The shape is drapey and easy; it’s a medium weight that provides actual warmth layered over sweatshirts and sweaters; and although I love the gray, I think my new black one that I purchased in the NSale earlier this month is even more versatile and just as comfy cozy. Still on sale for under $60, and as I write this, sizing in black is still stocked.

In terms of wearing this wrap over “real clothes,” I think the key is finding the right balance. With any black oversized cardigan or sweatshirt jacket, the strong black top layer draws your attention and focus quite a bit in an outfit. I usually try to lean in to this by wearing all black, or I try to balance the black with other outfit pieces that have some black coloring in them (for example a black-colorway striped top or a pretty print with black in it). Or sometimes I go in the opposite direction, let the black top layer take all the attention, and wear contrasting lighter tones on the bottom.

Let’s take a look at what I came up with…

1. With Leggings & A Workout Top

Although I’m not a huge leggings gal, this is actually my favorite way to wear this sweatshirt wrap. The longer length and drapey shape is perfect for bum coverage when I’m wearing leggings. I even feel comfortable in a sports-bra top or a fitted tank and leggings, with the wrap jacket on top, if I’m on my way to an exercise class.

Jacket (S) | Leggings (6) | Solid Tank (S) | Print Tank (8) | Black Sports Bra (8) | Sneaks
Additional Legging Options Under $100: Quince | Vuori | Everlane

2. With Stripes & Flare Jeans

I really like the way this jacket looks over stripes that have a smidge of black in the colorway. I also think that the swingy shape of the jacket works over full-length flares as long as the top underneath is short or tucked in. This short-sleeve striped sweater I’m wearing is super-playful and easy to wear in the summer on its own or in the fall underneath a layer, but I linked to more budget-friendly options below.

Jacket (S) | Flares (29) | Striped Sweater (S) | Sneaks
Additional Stripe Top Options Under $100: Ringer Tee | Stripe Sweater | Vince | Firecracker Stripe | Madewell

3. With All Black & Neutral Accessories

All black is easy. Always. I like doing all black with a contrasting neutral bag and a different contrasting neutral shoe or boot. Any black top and any black jeans would work.

Jacket (S) | Boots | Similar Jeans | Similar Top
Additional Boot Options Under $100: Sofft | Vince Camuto

4. With A White Tee & Comfy Jeans

The casual vibe of a basic solid T-shirt definitely works with this wrap jacket and denim. I would pop on a fun bag or maybe even a bold statement sneaker for this combination if I was wearing it to go out. But it works with house slippers, as shown below, around the house just as well.

Jacket (S) | Tee | Flares (29) | Lined Birkenstocks 
Additional Flares Under $100: Gap ’70s | Gap ’90s

5. With All Black & A Pop Of Color

Again with the easy all-black combination — but in athleisure form over my favorite joggers and with a pop of color instead of the contrasting neutrals.

Jacket (S) | Top (S) | Joggers (S) | Bag | Sneaks
Additional Black Workout Tops Under $100: Zella Tank | Vuori Tank | Athleta

6. With An Eye-Catching Top & Cute Clogs

I think the key here is finding an interesting top with black in the colorway. (I linked to some additional options below.) I love wearing brown and black together, but you have to be careful in finding a top or bag that brings in a bit of those warmer tones as well. This sleeveless Vince Camuto top works with the wrap jacket, I think, especially if I added in a bag with some warmth.

Jacket (S) | Top (S) | Clogs | Similar Clogs
Additional Interesting Tops Under $100: Floral Sweatshirt | Floral Blouse | Tiger Top | Floral Crop | Graphic Sweaters

7. With Blue Joggers

These Zella joggers in Navy Denim make me so happy that I had to throw them in here. How pretty is this color?? And they’re uber-soft. I think wearing all black on top with any solid-color pants or joggers would work here. Easy to go bold with pants if you keep everything else neutral.

Jacket (S) | Joggers (S) | Solid Tank (S) | Sneaks | Backpack

8. With A Black Top & White Sneakers

Here, I’m keeping all the dark colors on top and contrasting that with lighter-wash denim (with lighter distressing as well) and cream-colored sneakers. Definitely, a good black top — that’s soft and you enjoy wearing — is a necessary addition to your closet when you want to incorporate a black sweatshirt jacket into your daily wardrobe. Black on black always seems to work.

Jacket (S) | Similar Top | Jeans | Sneaks | Backpack
Additional Solid Black Tops Under $100: Halogen | AllSaints | Thermal

9. With Pajamas

I’ve owned this black Zella wrap jacket for only a little over a week, but I know this will be my go-to this fall and winter. SO cozy.

Jacket (S) | Pajamas | Lined Birkenstocks 
Additional Soft Pajamas Under $100: Moonlight | Honeydew

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For those of you who own the Zella wrap jacket, how are you guys wearing yours? Would love to hear from you!

As always,

-Linzi