Let’s be honest. Sweaters and cardigans have earned a reputation for being boring basics. But the fashion world has a palpable tendency to breathe new life into what was once thought to be plain and mundane, so this season, knits are the new It items. Here are a few of Vogue’s most notable knitwear trends, that can take you through this Winter and beyond.
Statement Sweaters
Statement sweaters are the new closet essential. In the past, stocking up on fall sweaters likely meant investing in a few staple pieces, like basic crewnecks or cardigans made perfect for lounging at home. But designers this season are challenging the concept of sweaters as snoozy closet linchpins. They’re getting especially inventive with their creations, pumping new life into knits by way of textures, colors, and silhouettes.
Take LaPointe’s slinky off-the-shoulder design in banana yellow—perfect for a night out, Marni’s graphic pullover with a checkered front and striped back, or Christopher John Rogers’ can’t-miss neon knit. Pair them with a simple jean, some leather pants, or a denim maxi skirt, and your outfit is more than sorted. It might be gray skies outside but your outfit will be full of cheer with bright colors and graphics.
Cozy Chic Cardigans
Layering essentials are best utilized during the cool weather season–and this fall, Vogue editors are eyeing cozy, yet chic cardigans. Striped styles from Denimist and Polo Ralph Lauren are notably nautical all year round, while Mango’s chocolate brown cable knit is a seasonal star. Other prized picks include cardigans from J.Crew and Massimo Dutti to Alex Mill.
Now, thanks to Miu Miu’s FW23 collection, chic cardigans are the It items of fall and winter. Shop similarly sophisticated styles, courtesy of The Row and Nili Lotan.
Fair Isle Sweaters
Some clothes provide utility, others fantasy, while others evoke an entire mood. A Fair Isle sweater is a mood. It’s the physical embodiment of cozy weekends in farm houses and chalets; the clothing equivalent of hot cocoa—perfectly familiar and never too sweet.
Fair Isle knits came to fame under an earlier Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) in the 1920s, and have remained a favorite of the historically sporty British royal family ever since. The late Princess Diana was seen in a perfectly 1980s version in bold neon pink and green, which she paired with neutral corduroy trousers, and later in a classic Christmas-worthy reindeer Fair Isle knit, proving that this style can’t be put in a box.
Named for an island in Shetland, in northern Scotland, Fair Isle refers to a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns using multiple colors at once. London-based designer Molly Goddard has made Fair Isle a brand hallmark, offering a new spin each season, with a particularly cool cropped sweater set moment for Winter 2023/2024.
Luxurious Cashmere Crewnecks
What better way to celebrate sweater weather than by slipping into of the best cashmere sweaters on a crisp day? Their soothing softness might be the extra dose of comfort you need right now, whether you’re layering up for an office commute or snuggling up at home on the weekend. And while the best cashmere sweaters for women have a reputation for having a high price tag, direct-to-consumer brands have given the covetable piece a more approachable price point, starting at the $100 mark.
If you’re unfamiliar with the material, cashmere comes from the fluffy undercoat of cashmere and pashmina goats and has been used to make yarn, textiles, and, of course, clothing for centuries. Unlike sheep’s wool, cashmere is softer and more supple, cementing its place as a luxury staple in your wardrobe. What’s even better is that many designers and direct-to-consumer brands like Everlane and Stella McCartney have committed to ethical and sustainable cashmere practices so that you can not only look good in your cashmere of choice but feel good about it too
When shopping for your choice of cashmere, there are a few helpful tips to consider: First off, determine what type of style, warmth, and weight you’re after—this will be a defining factor in your sweater’s durability over time. And finally, if possible, try and get a good look at your cashmere choice in person to check for any pills, test out its touch and feel, and inspect for any loose threads in the stitching. And when it comes to caring for your cashmere, avoid any unwanted visits from moths by always washing by hand.
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