Sweater Weather
Chances are you already have sweaters that are in style for Fall 2023. Classic, timeless silhouettes in solid, neutral colors are definitely the trend this season. After reviewing your collection of sweaters, you may decided it’s time to add a few new ones (and I’ll share more Fall 2023 sweater trends in this blog), but start with these four things you can do right now to prep for sweater weather!
#1 Do a quick inventory of your sweaters.
Gather your sweaters together and take a close look at all of them to make sure they make the cut for this season. Here are the questions to ask yourself as you do your inventory and potential edit of your sweaters:
Is it still in good shape?
Literally and figuratively. Some sweaters can stretch out or shrink so make sure you still like the shape. Also check for moth holes, rips or excessive pilling. If you are handy, you can repair moth holes on your own. And if the holes are still small, your local tailor or dry cleaners can likely mend your sweater. If several of your sweaters have moth holes, you have a problem that you need to address. You can reduce pilling with a sweater shaver or sweater stone, but if the pills have completely taken over, and it’s not a quality sweater or you don’t absolutely love it, it’s probably time to let it go.
What is it made of?
I am not going to preach, but look at your sweater labels. If you own any sweaters made with acrylic material you may want to think about replacing it with a natural fiber sweater. There are pros and cons to acrylic but I am not a fan. It’s not breathable, retains odors, pills easily, and is bad for the environment in multiple ways. Unfortunately some of my favorite brands insist on including some acrylic, polyester or nylon (the latter two aren’t as bad). They also tend to be less expensive and sometimes so darn cute! So not judgement here if you opt to keep any.
Is it flattering on me?
Sweaters can fall into the category of unflattering very easily. They can be too boxy or long and create a frumpy look. Sometimes that’s just fine and intentional, but if that isn’t the look you’re going for it shouldn’t be in your sweater collection. If you’re not sure, try it on and you’ll know pretty quickly when you look in the mirror. Don’t let an unflattering, frumpy sweater take up valuable space and add to your clutter - you can do better!
Is it comfortable?
This is a big one because sweaters can be itchy, tight in the wrong places (have you ever worn a turtleneck sweater that feels like it’s strangling you?), or make you break out in a sweat because it’s just too darn thick and hot. Life is too short to wear an uncomfortable sweater.
#2 Rotate your sweaters.
If you can’t see them you won’t wear them. If your thick sweaters are hiding in a drawer is it possible to stack them on an open shelf in your closet? Can you hang some of them? Personally, I hang all my thin sweaters so I can see them and they don’t wrinkle. If you are worried about the shoulders getting misshapen, you can use arc shaped, padded or suit hangers that have thick shoulders. In the fall I bring my sweaters to the front of my closet and in the summer I put them in the back.
#3 Take some time creating new outfits with your sweaters.
Chances are you’ve added a few new things to your closet since last season. Shop your closet and get creative. Try pairing your sweaters with skirts or even wearing them over dresses which will create the look of a sweater and skirt. Experiment with sweaters under blazers and jackets and even as an accessory over your shoulders.
#4 Make sure you have a range of sweater silhouettes and fabrics.
There are so many silhouettes: fitted, boxy, scoop neck, turtleneck, V-neck, cardigan, wrap. Also, pay attention to the sweater hem. Some sweaters have a ribbed hem and come in slightly to create a blouse effect between the ribbed hem and the rest of the sweater. This is flattering on most people, but some prefer to have a straight-across hem that can be tucked in. Sweaters span a huge range of fabrics: cotton, cashmere, lamb’s wool, Merino wool, alpaca, mohair, silk and linen - not to mention acrylic and other man-made textiles. And then there are patterns,embellishments, knit textures and colors. Sweaters can be such a fun way to express your personal style.
Did you know merino wool is usually less itchy and much more breathable than regular lamb’s wool? It comes from a Merino sheep which originated in Spain. Cashmere is not sources from sheep but from the cashmere goat. It’s still classified as a kind of wool but it’s fibers are stronger, softer and more luxurious.
It’s great to know what you like and fine to stick to those silhouettes and fabrics, but make sure you’re not in a rut. Once you have a good collection of classic/essential sweaters, consider experimenting and adding a couple new silhouettes, fabrics, textures or colors to your sweater collection. And why not find a fun sweater that really expresses your personal style?
But what sweaters are in style for Fall 2023, you ask? Classics will never go out so I recommend first making sure you have these timeless sweaters in your core capsule wardrobe:
Black or navy cashmere, wool or cotton crew neck
Camel and/or ivory cashmere, wool or cotton crew neck
Navy or black fisherman knit
Stripe
Gray or ivory turtleneck
Brown or navy cardigan
Once you have a solid capsule, consider adding a few new Fall 2023 sweater trends such as:
Sleeveless turtlenecks and sweater vests. (I am so surprised at how practical a sleeveless sweater can be. If you tend to get hot, they are perfect under a blazer or jacket. And a sweater vest is a great layering item over a T-shirt or button down.)
Chunky sweaters like cable and ribbed knits.
Sporty silhouettes like polo collars and details like visible seams.
Feminine styles like pointelle knit and ruffles.
Neutral colors like creams, camel, and grays + bright colors like red, green and cobalt blue.
