The Essential List 18. My Sweater(ish) Weather Favorites
Sweaters I’ve worn more than 30x, woven leather accessories, and a functional rain jacket that isn’t ugly.
Hi! I’ve accepted that fall is officially here to stay, and I’m ready to think about sweaters.
Sweater(ish) weather is that transitional time when temps hover in the 60s, with the occasional jump into the 70s or dip into the 50s. Some people are eager to embrace sweaters and boots, but I don’t look forward to cold-weather dressing, so this period can be tricky.
I prefer to dress for the current weather, not the season, so I’m often caught off guard when temperatures suddenly plummet and my cold-weather clothing is still tucked away in storage.
For whatever reason, I’ve gotten better at easing into colder weather over the last year or two. I really enjoy the exercise of reflecting on my seasonal essentials — it helps me review my closet and pinpoint what I actually wear and love. Here are the pieces I turn to this time of year:
Loeffler Randall Leonie Honey Ballet Flat There is a small window for ballet flats — it’s often too hot, too cold, too muddy, or too wet. But when the weather is right, these are my go-to shoes. I’m obsessed with woven leather (when done well, it makes simple shapes more interesting) and I love this color — they look great with everything.
Bembien Woven Leather Tote Bags I’m obsessed with Bembien — it’s one of those brands that feels like it was made for me. The colors are beautiful, the price point is great, and they have lots of woven leather, which I love (broken record, I know). I alternate between two bags and often get compliments/inquiries on both: the Gabrielle Bag in Vintage Check and the Alma Woven Leather Tote. Sadly, I don’t see the Alma on the site anymore, but this one has a similar shape and zipper (great for work and travel) and this one has the same wide, leather weave.
Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan When temperatures start to dip, this sweater is the first thing I reach for. I bought it two years ago after my daughter was born because I wanted to treat myself to something extra cozy and luxe that also worked for breastfeeding. While I kinda feel like a victim of the algorithm here, it’s proven worth it. It’s perfect for lounging around the house or working from home, but also looks great with a bralette, jeans, gold jewelry, and flats for a dinner out (my go-to outfit). You can also wear it as a warm layer over a nice dress. The price is steep, but I truly wear it all the time. For a more affordable alternative, Quince makes a very similar sweater at 1/3 of the price that I’m eager to try and compare.
Cotton Sweaters With two small children, I need sweaters that aren’t precious and can handle frequent washing (as a friend with two under five put it: we are human napkins). Cotton sweaters are my go-to year-round, and in the last few years, I’ve become a bit wool-averse unless I’m spending a lot of time outdoors — wool just feels too hot, especially when the heat is cranked up indoors. During the colder months, I 'winterize' my cotton sweaters by layering them with this Uniqlo HEATTECH T-shirt for extra warmth. Here are a few of my favorites:
Quince Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater + Cotton Fisherman Crew Sweater I love Quince cotton sweaters — they’re well-priced and hold up. I prefer a chunkier knit with thick ribbing on the collars, cuffs, and hems, so these hit the mark. My initial complaint with Quince was that their colorways were not very good, but they’ve since expanded the range with much better choices. I love this sky blue.
Alex Mill Button-Back Crewneck Sweater in Stripe Many complain about the lack of quality clothing at reasonable prices these days, but Alex Mill sweaters hit the jackpot. They’re incredibly well made, and the shapes are really good. I have this in both stripes and solid blue. The button-back detail makes it more interesting that your typical sweater and — fun bonus — you can wear it reversed, with the buttons in front, like a cardigan (I do this often). They also offer a more traditional cardigan version. With prices ranging from $135 to $325, Alex Mill sweaters are a great investment you’ll wear for years (and don’t sleep on the men’s sweaters, either).
Stutterheim Mosebacke Rain Jacket November is the wettest month in Seattle, and since moving back here, I’ve been turning to Scandinavian style for inspiration on how to dress well for our gray, wet winters (there’s no Seattle Fashion Week for a reason!). One thing they’ve mastered is rain gear that’s both chic and functional, and their colors are impeccable. For truly wet days when I know I’ll be outside a lot, this is my go-to jacket — it keeps me bone dry. It’s not warm on its own, so you’ll need to layer underneath (size accordingly), but that also means you can wear it year-round. Mine is in a dark bluish-green that’s no longer available, but I’m obsessed with the Khaki Green and Light Sand options — I love offsetting dark skies with light clothing colors. [Ed. note: just saw that all shades of green are 20% through Monday]
Manucurist Active Shine Nail Polish Like many, my regular gel manicures ended during COVID and I never restarted the habit. After going with mostly bare nails for a while, I discovered this nail polish on Reed Clarke (my beauty retail obsession, check out my interview with founder, Fiona Stiles, if you missed it). I've been wearing it nonstop ever since. Fiona describes the polish perfectly:
I've never used a polish that makes my nails feel stronger, or more impervious to chipping and peeling than the polishes from Manucurist. And while clear nail polish is fine, I like a clean nail with a little something. This polish is in heavy rotation in my life. It's a "clean girl aesthetic" with a little pizazz, more starlight than glitter. The very subtle pink undertone of the polish makes nails look fresh and healthy and the soft shimmer makes them gleam like a gem.
Recommendations, please
I left one of my favorite sweaters (above) off the list because — devastatingly — it seems to be discontinued. It’s perfectly cropped and I love the details. As of publishing, there is exactly one left online (size L in a reddish/purple color) on mega sale, someone snatch it up!
What are your favorite everyday sweaters?
Do you have any cashmere recommendations similar to the one above? Please share!
Essential Reading
I’m always on the lookout for people sharing their favorites and essentials. Here are a few worth checking out:
Jessie Loves: A Core Wardrobe from Loeffler Randall founder
My Realistic Fall 2024 Outfit Lookbook from
Feed Me's Ultimate Beauty Black Book. from
(paywall)Guest Series 003: Fall Uniform with Emme Parsons from
288: Hark! The fall '24 shopping spreadsheet from
(I’m specifically interested in the column “What were your hero pieces last fall”)
I have some great interviews in the works that I can’t wait to share, and fun ideas swirling for the holiday season (I WILL plan ahead this year and not find myself in a panic the week before Christmas…) — stay tuned!
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I used my Active Glow as a basecoat for my Chanel Rouge Noir the other day and I think it worked great!
I need to try that polish. Been obsessed with their clear pink one.