I love a good sweater, and in the fall and winter, I wear one almost every day. They’re just so easy and cozy, and they go with all of my favorite denim. Whether it’s a chunky cable knit for my casual everyday looks or a sleek fitted cardigan for a night out, there’s a sweater for almost every occasion, so this year I thought I’d put together a Sweater and Knitwear Guide for Fall! Even if you don’t love sweaters as much as I do, I hope you’ll find this post helpful for updating your knitwear this season.
5 Knitwear Trends You’ll Love for Fall 2024
Sweaters as a wardrobe category are be a fall wardrobe essential, but styles and trends change season to season. These are some of the top knitwear trends to know for Fall 2024.
1. Cardigans
After being on the back burner for a while, cardigans are back this season! Shorter styles are most popular, although I’m starting to see sleek longline cardigans and dusters making a comeback, as well. Classic crewneck cardigans are being worn as toppers for dresses and blouses or buttoned-up as a pullover, and sweater jackets are big right now too. The Caslon cardigan I’m wearing above is a great option, with an on-trend point collar and contrasting buttons, and it’s under $100.
Shop Cardigans for Fall 2024:
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2. Cable Knit Sweaters
Cable knit is a classic pattern that seems to be having a moment this season. I’m seeing it in all sweater styles, like the crewneck pullover I’m wearing above (size medium), as well as v-neck styles, relaxed cardigans, and sweater jackets.
Shop cable knit sweaters:
3. Fair Isle
Fair isle patterns are back and hotter than ever this year. The one I’m wearing above is from last season (wearing size 1) and sizes are limited, but I rounded up more current styles that are fully stocked for you below.
Shop fair isle sweaters:
4. Stripes
Stripes are a huge trend this year across all wardrobe categories, but striped knitwear is especially popular right now. This Rails Geneva Cardigan is one of my favorites, I love how it combines two sweater trends in one. It’s also currently 30% off at Bloomingdale’s!
Shop stripe sweaters:
5. Sweater Vests
It’s getting late in the season for these, but since they’re such a big trend this year, and because some of you live in warmer climates where you may not need cozy knits, a sweater vest a great option. They also layer easily under all types of jackets, or you can layer the over a button-up or long sleeve tee. I’m even seeing some layered look tops like this one popping up at my favorite retailers.
Shop sweater vests:
The Best Knitwear Fabrics to Look For
When you’re on the hunt for the perfect sweater, the fabric composition is key. It’s important to know the pros and cons of each.
Cashmere
Nothing beats the softness of cashmere. It’s incredibly soft and warm, so perfect for those chilly days. While it’s pricier than most, a good cashmere sweater is a worthwhile investment that will last you for years. You do need to take good care of it, though, and it usually requires dry cleaning, which is a deal breaker for some.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: The Best Cashmere Sweaters
Merino Wool
Merino wool is another fantastic option. It’s soft, breathable, and won’t make you overheat. You can even find t-shirts in merino wool, and they’re nice for layering under chunkier knits. The downside is, some people are allergic, and it can be on the more expensive side.
Cotton
Cotton is always a solid choice for knitwear, especially for warmer weather, because it’s breathable and machine washable.
Acrylic
For a more wallet-friendly option, acrylic blends do a great job of mimicking the feel of natural fibers while being lightweight and easy to care for. It’s also less likely that you will be allergic to this manmade fabric.
Blends
You will often find knitwear blends that combine several of the materials listed above. This helps keep costs down and offers some of the benefits of each.
How to Care for Your Sweaters and Knitwear
Caring for your sweaters and knitwear is essential to keep them looking fresh and cozy season after season. Many fabrics can be hand-washed or put in the machine on the delicate cycle in cold water, and then laid flat to dry.
If washing at home, use a mild detergent specifically designed for wool or knits, and it’s generally recommended to avoid fabric softeners, as they can damage the fibers. Also, it’s a good idea to turn the sweater inside out to protect the outside from the washing machine.
When it comes to drying, lay your garments flat on a clean towel to maintain their shape—never hang them, as this can lead to stretching.
I always dry-clean my wool and cashmere sweaters to make sure they hold their shape and don’t get fuzzy, but some women hand-wash theirs. It’s a matter of personal preference.
Always clean your sweaters at the end of the season before packing them away. I love these Periea collapsable storage boxes for storing my sweaters during the off-season.
Whether you wash or dry clean, it’s a good idea to regularly brush off lint and pills with a fabric shaver or a lint roller, and store your sweaters folded rather than hanging to avoid misshaping. Cedar blocks can help prevent moths and other creepy-crawlies from eating away at your precious knitwear.
With these simple steps, your knitwear will stay vibrant and cozy for years to come!
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13 Responses
Good morning, I’m interested in different ways to style wide cuff (straight mostly) jeans and was wondering if you’d be interested in doing a post on that…..how to dress up casually for dinner out and for running errands, lunch date, etc. Thank you.
Good advice. I take good care of my sweaters even if they’re cotton or cotton blends. I can’t wear wool close to my skin. I think even would bother me. I was excited this weekend because I found a collared cardigan in burgundy at JCrew factory for 31 bucks. I’ve been eyeing it on their website and I was waiting for a really good price. I went to the store and there it was in my size and only one left in the extra discount clearance. I missed out on the burgundy Loft cardigan you have so excited to find something similar. I pretty much keep all my sweaters if I like them. The style that I don’t like is the swinging type with the cascade. I did donate those.
I should proof read better. I meant to say that I think cashmere would bother my skin.
Hello Jolynne, great post, beautiful sweaters! I was wondering if you could update your old posts about white T-shirts and camisoles to layer with sweaters- especially v-necks. Those posts have been so helpful in the past- there’s so much out there and you’ve been so good at weeding through. Thanks!
Yes, I’ll add it to my list!
Wide shoulders and the drop-shoulder sweater–you wear them I see. I tend to avoid them as with sizable girlies and broad shoulders, a drop-shoulder (rather than inset) makes me look like a linebacker. Thoughts??
Yeah, I generally avoid them for that very reason, but I do have a few. Since my breast reduction surgery, I don’t mind them as much, but I still have broad shoulders, so it depends on how they’re cut and what other details there are. If it creates more of a diagonal line than a horizontal one, it works okay.
Great information! Thanks
I love fair isle and am so glad it’s trending! Just FYI, the Cece one you featured also comes in a really pretty caramel or an ivory with shades of brown for anyone looking to play into the brown trend. (I’ve got the ivory one with brown trim in my cart, think it’d look great with brown or caramel corduroys!)
Yes, I had a hard time deciding which color to feature in the shopping widget. There are a lot of pretty color ways in that one.
Oh, I just love fair isle sweaters and longline cardis. And I also love the cropped button up ones! Now if only it will get cool enough to wear them! Great variety Jo-Lynne.
Great post for those of us who love sweatuh weathuh! Kind of a tangent, but where did you get the blue and white rug?
I ordered through my designer, but I found it at Walmart. Unfortunately, it sold out a while ago.