The 8 Best Sweater Trends to Shop For Fall 2021
8 Sweater Trends to Tap Into Before You Reach For the Same Old Hoodie
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An underappreciated yet absolutely necessary fall basic is the sweater. It's a little old layering piece you might not have shopped for in years, rotating between just one or two worn-out, neutral styles underneath that statement coat. But 2021 in particular is a big year for knits, with so many different trends and silhouettes taking hold, you'll want to play a game of collect-them-all. From retro polos to vests, intarsia to colorblock, and cropped cardigan sets to the longline throwover, shop each category one by one, or scroll through this list to scan all our picks at a wide range of price points.
- Knit Vests
- Polos
- Shoulder Slice
- Colorblock
- Cardigan Sets
- Crochet
- Longline
- Intarsia
1 Knit Vests
Worn oversize or shrunken, these provide an extra layering piece in our wardrobe this season. Our advice is to collect them in neutral colours first, although vests with standout prints can also make a statement on their own, without a long-sleeve underneath.
2 Zara Wool and Alpaca Blend Knit Vest
3 Only Curve Knitted Tank With Drop Shoulder in Black
4 Bobblehaus Recycled Cotton Jacquard Sweater Vest
5 COS Striped Knitted Vest
6 Veronica Beard Collina Vest
7 The Frankie Shop Malou Zip Vest in Sand
8 Polos
Frequently seen in a sporty, cropped cut or with a half-zip down the neckline, the polo collar offers a preppy touch to a new set of sweaters that have a little something extra.
Jacquemus Neve Polo ($645)
9 ASOS Design Curve Sweater With Polo Neck in Rib Oatmeal
10 Ganni Cabled Shrunken Mock-Turtleneck Pullover
11 Jonathan Simkhai Kara Fringe Knit Polo
12 Tibi Feather Weight Ribbed Allonge Collar Sweater
13 Stella Jean Collar Top
14 Hanifa Cora Short Set
15 Thebe Magugu Sisterhood Knit Golfer
16 Shoulder Slice
Think of this trend as an update to the cold shoulder jumper. Whether it's because these sweaters come in two pieces (tank and matching bolero) or because there's a cutout at the collar bone, we're getting an extra peek of skin that makes for a sultry touch, especially when the look is formfitting.
Simonett Knit Bolero Set ($165)
17 Pistola Denim Jolene Sweater
18 NOLULLS Halter Top And Bolero Set
19 WAYF Elandra Turtleneck
20 Peter Do Grace Sweater
21 Jonathan Simkhai Jayline Pullover/Bralette
22 Rosie Assoulin Knit Hold My Bolero Sweater
23 Colorblock
When it comes to sweater trends, we're often more observant of a silhouette than a particular print, but the multi-tone trimmings and graphics are undeniable this season, so don't be afraid to think bold, rather than in neutrals.
Wray Harold Sweater in Block ($298)
24 Glassworks London Oatmeal and Blue Contrast Trim Cardigan
25 UNIF Brite Sweater
26 Source Unknown Mixed Colorblock Top
27 Pastiche Pola Cardigan in Pale/Pink
28 Victor Glemaud Turtleneck Sweater in Black & White
29 Donni Duo Colorblock Cardigan
30 Cardigan Sets
As a continuation to the bralette and cardigan trend Katie Holmes and Khaite stirred up last year, brands are offering all sorts of variations on what a two-piece can offer. While some come with full-length tanks, others have a foundation of a fitted shirt in a matching print or a similar gauzy fabric.
Babaton Emporia Cardigan ($198) and Babaton Overland Dress ($148)
31 Rouje Sweater Set
32 Zara Knit Set
33 Loulou Studio Anthracite Melange Cardigan Set
34 Maggie Marilyn Ivory Set
35 Cider Green Diary Knitted Set
36 Low Classic Boucle Knits
Low Classic Boucle Sleeveless Knit ($195) and Low Classic Boucle Overfit Knit ($405 when back in stock)
37 Crochet
We've seen crochet take off in a major way as stars like Olivia Rodrigo have re-popularized the look from the early aughts and designers like Ella Emhoff have showed us how to DIY it. Now, the crochet sweater is here to stay and shoppable in all forms at our favourite retailers.
38 Zara Jewel Button Knit Cardigan
39 Rachel Comey Shushi Cardigan
40 Tach Clothing Ester Sweater
41 Zara Striped Knit Sweater
42 Rose Carmine Navy Patchwork Sweater
43 Longline
The longline cardigan is luxe, oversize, and as comforting as ever as we transition from stay-at-home gear to workwear. Whether yours becomes an underlay to your favourite jacket or an interesting statement top you tie up at both ends (see: Cult Gaia) is your own prerogative.
Tanya Taylor Morgana Knit ($495)
44 H&M Long Cardigan
45 By Malene Birger Cyrus Cardigan in Chanterelle
46 Maryam Nassir Zadeh Long Shawl Cardigan
47 Cult Gaia Izzie Knit Cardigan
48 Khaite The Fiona Cardigan in Zig Zag
49 Shona Joy Piper Cocoon Sleeve Cable Midi Cardigan in Oatmeal
50 Intarsia
The most intricately crafted, handwoven sweater you can buy this fall is an intarsia piece that's been skillfully woven with multiple thread colours to form a picture, fair isle pattern, or motif. The ones we've gathered here will make them all look twice.
