15 Ways to Style a Sweater This Fall

My navy fisherman knit is older than my favorite boots and gets more rotation than anything else I own. I throw it over a slip skirt, button a striped shirt under it, belt it when I’m feeling ambitious, and I have never once regretted the outfit. A sweater is the most forgiving thing in a closet, and the most fun to style. Fall is a texture season, and knits do the heavy lifting: chunky cables, fuzzy mohair, brushed wool, cashmere in every brown from oatmeal to cacao. The styling happens in the pairing. A crewneck over a collared shirt reads preppy, the same crewneck over a satin midi reads dinner, and a cable knit with a mini and tall boots reads like you have somewhere to be. An oversized knit lets the bottom half go as slouchy or as sharp as you like. These fifteen looks have the pairing figured out. If the sweater itself is the missing piece, start with the sweaters worth buying this fall , then come back. And if you already have a favorite from our ways to style a dress this fall , this is the knitwear sequel. Evie’s product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love. With a button-up underneath Shop the look: Sweater (Jenni Kayne, $395) | Shirt (Frank & Eileen, $258) | Coat (Favorite Daughter, $650) | Boots (Larroudé, $550) | Sunglasses (Le Specs, $85) A button-up under a crewneck is old-money prep in one move, and @gigischmitz_ proves it: a navy cable-knit crewneck layered over a light blue and white striped button-up, collar and cuffs showing, with a camel coat over the shoulders, dark-brown leather knee boots, black sunglasses, and gold rings. The shirt gives a chunky knit some polish, and the coat is the finishing touch. Recreate it with Jenni Kayne’s navy cashmere fisherman sweater, Frank & Eileen’s blue stripe Eileen shirt, Favorite Daughter’s Metropolitan coat in camel, Larroudé’s Anne boot in brown, and Le Specs’ Lumen sunglasses. With winter-white denim Shop the look: Sweater (Naadam, $298) | Jeans (AGOLDE, $238) | Clogs (Dansko, $160) | Bag (Songmont, $389) Brown with winter white is a combination I will always defend, and @anneorion shows why: an olive chunky crewneck with a cropped suede jacket on top and a scarf to match, wide-leg winter-white jeans, tan UGGs, and a brown shoulder bag. The olive breaks up the block of brown, and the white jeans lighten the whole thing up. Get the look with Naadam’s oversized cashmere crewneck in dark camel, AGOLDE’s Arc wide-leg jean in chalk white, Dansko’s Branson clog in mahogany, and Songmont’s Luna bag in chocolate. With a satin skirt or silk maxi dress Shop the look: Sweater (Naadam, $298) | Skirt (Jenni Kayne, $295) | Heels (Vince Camuto, $129) | Bag (JW Pei, $119) @leasy_inparis went tonal, head to toe: a chunky chocolate turtleneck over a long, fluid satin piece, either an ankle-length skirt or a silk maxi dress, dark-brown pointed heels, a matching crossbody, and a tortoiseshell claw clip. One color in three textures (knit, satin, leather) looks expensive without trying, and the satin keeps a heavy turtleneck from feeling like a blanket. Recreate it with Naadam’s cacao cashmere turtleneck, Jenni Kayne’s Nina slip skirt in chocolate, Vince Camuto’s Bevarin pump in brownie, and JW Pei’s Greta twist-lock crossbody in black. With a white mini Shop the look: Sweater (VICI, $68) | Skirt (Self-Portrait, $250) | Boots (Vince Camuto, $249) | Bag (Staud, $350) Chunky on top, flirty on the bottom is a formula, and @mariietf nailed it: an oatmeal cable crewneck, a white flounce-hem mini skirt, taupe suede knee boots, and a crescent shoulder bag. The oversized knit balances a short hem, and the boots cover enough leg to keep a mini wearable. Get the look with VICI’s Toasted Whisper cable knit in cream, Self-Portrait’s white pointelle knit mini, Vince Camuto’s Vanisa knee boot in tortilla, and Staud’s Moon bag in cream. With a tiered maxi and cowboy boots Shop the look: Sweater (Oak + Fort, $98) | Skirt (Princess Polly, $59) | Boots (Dolce Vita, $220) | Bag (Staud, $350) Brown and white again, this time western style. @cailinmandapat paired a dark rib-knit crewneck with a white tiered maxi skirt, brown cowboy boots, and a black shoulder bag. The tiers give a plain crewneck some movement, and cowboy boots keep a floor-length hem from looking like a nightgown. Recreate it with Oak + Fort’s brushed wool crewneck in brown, Princess Polly’s Mya maxi skirt in white, Dolce Vita’s Romie boots in brown, and Staud’s Strada shoulder bag in black. With cap-toe flats Shop the look: Sweater (Naked Cashmere, $295) | Pants (MOTHER, $225) | Flats (Dolce Vita, $135) | Bag (JW Pei, $139) @lottastichler’s look is all soft texture and sharp accessories: a fuzzy mohair crewneck, light taupe flare trousers, beige cap-toe flats, a black quilted chain shoulder bag, and chunky jewelry. Fuzzy knit, fluid flare and a ladylike flat is a proportion that reads polished, and the mohair adds warmth without bulk. Get the look with Naked Cashmere’s Kaia sweater in shadow heather, MOTHER’s Eterne foldover flare pant in mushroom, Dolce Vita’s Ritla cap-toe flats in light tan, and JW Pei’s Valerie quilted chain bag in black. Tucked with a belt Shop the look: Sweater (Frank & Eileen, $278.60) | Pants (Citizens of Humanity, $268) | Loafers (Loeffler Randall, $350) | Belt (Favorite Daughter, $108) | Necklace (Gorjana, $78) Tucking a sweater is a small move with a big payoff, and @aga_bdk did it well: a brown, navy and mustard striped crewneck tucked into corduroy trousers, a gold-buckle belt at the waist, brown boots, and a coin pendant. The tuck gives a boxy crew a waist, the belt finishes it, and corduroy against stripes is pure fall texture. Recreate it with Frank & Eileen’s Monterey striped sweater, Citizens of Humanity’s Winslow corduroy pant, Loeffler Randall’s Lucille suede loafer, Favorite Daughter’s Jordan belt, and Gorjana’s compass coin necklace. With a barn jacket Shop the look: Sweater (Oak + Fort, $78) | Jacket (VICI, $88) | Skort (Lisa Says Gah, $108) | Rain Boots (Hunter, $190) | Bag (Cambridge Satchel, $175) @kanchanalle layered a crewneck over a white collared shirt, then added a brown waxed barn jacket, a brown plaid mini, tall black rain boots with white socks, a black bag, and a brown cap. The jacket covers most of the knit, so the collar and crew neckline peeking out do the work. Get the look with an Oak + Fort crewneck like hers, VICI’s Stolen Moments barn jacket, Lisa Says Gah’s Darcy skort in cocoa plaid, Hunter’s Original Tall rain boot, and Cambridge Satchel’s East West shoulder bag in black. With a fluffy scarf and baseball cap Shop the look: Sweater (RE/DONE, $295) | Jeans (AGOLDE, $238) | Boots (Steve Madden, $99.99) | Bag (Mansur Gavriel, $445) | Scarf (Naked Cashmere, $125) | Cap (Favorite Daughter, $48) Coffee-run uniform, perfected by @mmequeenb: a cozy brown crewneck, a fluffy cream scarf, a brown baseball cap, cream wide-leg pants, tan UGGs, and a brown tote. The scarf adds volume and a hit of cream, and the cap keeps it casual. Recreate it with RE/DONE’s Nicki pullover in coffee bean, AGOLDE’s Ren jean in fortune cookie, Steve Madden’s Jones boot in tan suede, Mansur Gavriel’s Gaia shoulder bag in caramel, Naked Cashmere’s Ski scarf in ecru, and Favorite Daughter’s Classic Logo baseball hat in coffee. With tights and tall boots Shop the look: Sweater (12th Tribe, $78) | Tights (Swedish Stockings, $29) | Boots (Larroudé, $575) | Bag (Cuyana, $498) Tights make the whole thing work here. @jasminanna1 wore an oversized crewneck over a white shirtdress, brown tights, brown suede over-the-knee boots, a mini backpack, and sunglasses on her head. The pleated dress peeking out softens a big slouchy knit, and brown tights with brown boots make one long tonal line. Recreate it with 12th Tribe’s Clara knit sweater in brown, Swedish Stockings’ Olivia tights in dark brown, Larroudé’s Kate knee-high boot in brown suede, and Cuyana’s leather backpack in dark chestnut. With a skirt or asymmetrical dress over jeans Shop the look: Sweater (Guest in Residence, $425) | Skirt (Princess Polly, $65) | Jeans (BAYEAS, $78) | Flats (Loeffler Randall, $275) | Bag (DeMellier, $395) A skirt (or dress) over jeans is a dare, and @missjamiefirth took it: an oversized cream crewneck, an asymmetrical white satin piece with black lace trim, skirt or dress, layered over light wide-leg jeans, black ballet flats, a small black bag, and gold bangles. The denim adds warmth and grit, and the satin keeps the whole thing pretty. Get the look with Guest in Residence’s oversized crew in cream, Princess Polly’s Koletta asymmetrical lace-trim satin midi in ivory, BAYEAS’s high-rise wide-leg jean in light blue, Loeffler Randall’s Leonie ballet flat, and DeMellier’s New York bag. With a plaid midi Shop the look: Sweater (Stitch & Feather, $48) | Skirt (Damson Madder, $70) | Boots (Seychelles, $239) | Watch (MVMT, $168) Stitch & Feather (@stitchandfeather) styled its Ash Oversized Knit Sweater, the exact one from the video, with a blue-grey-and-cream plaid bias midi skirt, a chunky gold bangle, and an iced coffee. The dream. The ash-brown knit is slouchy enough to half-tuck, and the bias cut gives the plaid some swing, so the proportions read relaxed on top and polished below. Get the look with the Ash sweater itself, Damson Madder’s Berta midi skirt in blue pepper check, Seychelles’ Westlake tall boot in brown, and MVMT’s Signature Square watch in gold. With boxer shorts and knee boots Shop the look: Sweater (Guest in Residence, $425) | Shorts (Edikted, $18.40) | Boots (Larroudé, $550) | Bag (Mansur Gavriel, $445) Boxer shorts with a chunky knit and tall boots has staying power, and @_reillyjohnson shows why: a grey oversized crewneck with a white tee hem showing, burgundy-and-navy plaid boxers, cognac leather knee boots, a brown slouchy shoulder bag, and glasses. The boots cover most of the leg, so the shorts read as a playful flash of plaid. Recreate it with Guest in Residence’s oversized crew in heather grey, Edikted’s plaid boxer shorts in navy, Larroudé’s Anne boot in caramel, and Mansur Gavriel’s Gaia bag in chocolate. With wide trousers and pumps Shop the look: Sweater (White Fox, $74.99) | Trousers (Damson Madder, $90) | Heels (Larroudé, $245) | Bag (Cuyana, $398) Cream knit, chocolate trouser, matching pump: @lovisabarkman’s formula is simple and very good. The wide leg balances a high neck, and the pumps make a knit feel like it belongs at dinner or the office. Get the look with White Fox’s Winter’s Chill knit in oat, Damson Madder’s Fabia pinstripe trouser in brown, Larroudé’s Cambon pump in black, and Cuyana’s Celestia shoulder bag in black. With baggy light-wash jeans Shop the look: Sweater (White Fox, $79.99) | Jeans (BAYEAS, $86) | Loafers (Larroudé, $280) | Bag (Liffner, $359) Argyle has a grandpa reputation, and baggy denim is the fix, as @anneorion demonstrates: a navy-and-grey argyle crewneck with a matching brown scarf, baggy light-wash jeans, a structured brown tote, and chestnut suede UGGs. Recreate it with White Fox’s Rosy Glow argyle knit in navy, BAYEAS’s Daisy high-rise barrel jean in light blue, Larroudé’s Suki fuzzy loafer in peanut, and Liffner’s Paper tote in saddle brown suede.