Halloween decorations are going up, pumpkin spice lattes are back, and the group chat is buzzing about that long-awaited trip upstate. Fall is officially here—and with it comes the welcome return of sweater weather. This season, it's all about taking your favorite knits and finding new ways to style them.
Featured in this article
The Sweater Vest
Dôen Vincent Fair Isle Sweater Vest
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$298 NORDSTROM
The Pop of Color
La Ligne cashmere cardigan
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$325 NET-A-PORTER
The Cozy Cable Knit
Polo Ralph Lauren wool and cashmere cardigan
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$268 NORDSTROM
The Preppy Polo
Auralee Suri polo sweater
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$605 AURALEE
The Retro-Inspired Zip Up
Prada wool zipper cardigan
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$2,800 PRADA
The New Turtleneck
Ashlyn Meritt sweater
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$780 BERGDORF GOODMAN
Knitwear's reputation as a wardrobe essential makes it a great place to start experimenting. Beyond simply throwing a crewneck on with jeans, there's plenty of room to play with color, texture, and silhouette. This season's offerings bring fresh possibilities, giving new and old knits a styling rethink.
The fall 2026 collections put personal style front and center, with many of the most interesting looks built around the humble sweater. For inspiration, look to Celine's inventive layering, Marni's clash of prints and textures, or Polo Ralph Lauren's preppy-meets-western aesthetic—all broken down in our anatomy of a look roundup. Each brought a new perspective to familiar favorites, with ideas you can bring into your everyday wardrobe.
Why not add a nostalgic print to crisp shirting and layered necklaces, or try color combinations outside your comfort zone? Better yet, layer it all together, because sometimes more really is more.
Below, discover six ways to style your knitwear this season.
Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Huynh / Styling: Courtesy of Minty Mellon
The Nostalgic Take
Fair Isle predictably returns to the top of the knitwear stack in the fall. In sweater vest form, it's made for layering. A crisp blue shirt leans into its preppy spirit, while layered beads give it fresh flavor.
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Dôen
Vincent Fair Isle Sweater Vest
$298 NORDSTROM
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Comme Si
Mandarin collar tunic
$375 COMME SI
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Jennifer Behr
Veda necklace
$568 JENNIFER BEHR
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With Nothing Underneath
Alba trousers
$285 WITH NOTHING UNDERNEATH
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J.Crew
Fair Isle sweater-vest
$138 J.CREW
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Prada
V-neck vest
$2,500 PRADA
Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Huynh / Styling: Courtesy of Minty Mellon
The Triple Layer
Consider this permission to pile it on. Layer a trio of your favorite knits, playing with weight and texture for a cozy combination. A pop of color never hurt anybody!
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Auralee
Suri polo sweater
$605 AURALEE
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Adrian Cashmere
long-sleeve sweater
$320 ADRIAN CASHMERE
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Róhe
polo sweater
$730 NET-A-PORTER
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Cos
polo sweater
$229 COS
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Lié Studio x Tricot
polo
$410 LIÉ STUDIO
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TWP
Uma henley
$525 TWP
Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Huynh / Styling: Courtesy of Minty Mellon
The Chunky Zip-Up
A chunky zip makes a cozy starting point for your fall outfit. Color blocking brings the simple silhouette to life, while a matching scarf adds a little movement.
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Prada
wool zipper cardigan
$2,800 PRADA
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Prada
wool scarf
$875 PRADA
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Leset
The Margo T-shirt
$78 SHOPBOP
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Isabel Marant
Lydia pants
$890 NET-A-PORTER
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Still Here
Bear hooded cardigan
$285 NET-A-PORTER
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Lisa Yang
Sadie cardigan
$880 NET-A-PORTER
Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Huynh / Styling: Courtesy of Minty Mellon
The Colorful CarSpin the color wheel—there are no wrong combinations! Cobalt blue and royal purple—a pairing seen on fall runways and in street style—make a striking duo. Choose lighter-weight knits for warmth without bulk, and play with the buttons: this layered look works best slightly undone.Save to wishlistSave to wishlistAuralee garment-dyed cardigan$975 NET-A-PORTERSave to wishlistSave to wishlistAuralee light cashmere cardigan$935 AURALEEShop More Cardigans:Save to wishlistSave to wishlistAlex Mill Taylor cardigan$178 NORDSTROMSave to wishlistSave to wishlistLa Ligne cashmere cardigan$325 NET-A-PORTERPhoto: Courtesy of Michelle Huynh / Styling: Courtesy of Minty MellonThe Finest LayersSome knits are made for more than a cozy afternoon. Here, a finely knit peplum turtleneck is styled under not one but two sweaters—a red crewneck and a black V-neck. The magic is in the mix, contrasting tone, weight, and length for depth.Save to wishlistSave to wishlistAshlyn Meritt sweater$780 BERGDORF GOODMANSave to wishlistSave to wishlistGap CashSoft sweater$70 GAPSave to wishlistSave to wishlistJ.Crew Perfect cashmere sweater$158 J.CREWSave to wishlistSave to wishlistAshlyn Marry skirt$810 NORDSTROMShop More Fine Knits:Save to wishlistSave to wishlistExtreme Cashmere N°347 Aries sweater$440 EXTREME CASHMERESave to wishlistSave to wishlistHigh Sport Bara sweater$740 NET-A-PORTERPhoto: Courtesy of Michelle Huynh / Styling: Courtesy of Minty MellonThe Cable KnitLong associated with East Coast prep, the classic cable knit gets a ladylike twist with a set of brooches. Size up for a slouchy, boyish feel.Save to wishlistSave to wishlistRóhe cable-knit sweater$800 NET-A-PORTERSave to wishlistSave to wishlistGuest in Residence cable sculpted cardigan$475 GUEST IN RESIDENCESave to wishlistSave to wishlistTory Burch Runway fish pin$180 TORY BURCHSave to wishlistSave to wishlistGigi Burris Cosima Mum flower brooch$190 GIGI BURRISShop More Cable Knits:Save to wishlistSave to wishlistPolo Ralph Lauren wool and cashmere cardigan$268 NORDSTROMSave to wishlistSave to wishlist&Daughter Mara sweater$645 &DAUGHTER
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Art of Layering 6 Fresh Ways to Style Your Knitwear
1 What does layering knitwear actually mean
It means wearing multiple pieces together like a knit over a shirt or a cardigan over a turtleneck to create a complete outfit The knit is usually one layer not the whole look
2 Why should I bother layering my knitwear
Layering adds warmth makes one sweater work for different seasons hides fit issues and makes outfits look more puttogether It also stretches your wardrobe without buying new clothes
3 What are the six fresh ways to style knitwear
The six common approaches are knit over a collared shirt a thin turtleneck under a sweater or dress a cardigan worn as a top a knit vest over a shirt or tee a sweater draped over the shoulders and a chunky knit over a slip dress or skirt
4 Im a beginner which layering method should I try first
Start with a fineknit turtleneck under a crewneck sweater Its simple hard to get wrong and works with jeans or trousers
5 How do I layer without looking bulky
Keep the underlayer thin and the outer layer looser Avoid pairing two thick knits together and tuck in the bottom layer if it adds volume
6 Whats the difference between a base layer and a midlayer
The base layer sits against your skin and should be light and breathable The midlayer is the knit itself it adds warmth and texture In cold weather a coat becomes the outer layer
7 Can I layer knitwear in summer
Yes Use lightweight knits like cotton or linen blends and layer them over camisoles or thin tees A knit vest over a tank is a good warmweather option
8 How do I stop my shirt collar from looking messy under a sweater
Choose a shirt with a structured collar button it up fully and adjust the collar so it sits flat above the sweaters neckline A crewneck or Vneck sweater works best for this