Fall is the official start of sweater weather. At least that is what my Instagram feed tells me. The thermometer outside – not so much. Eventually, even California will succumb to cool temperatures, and we can finally pull out all the cool sweaters. This fall, if you pick up one item to update your fall look, make it a collared sweater. The look is crisp and pulls any outfit instantly together.
The Collared Sweater
I chose the collared sweater as my one item update for fall after debating between it and a cropped cardigan. The collared sweater ultimately won out because it is a unique clothing item that most of us don’t have in our closet. This one-piece can change up the look of all our existing items.
The cropped cardigan is great, and I am working on a post on how to style it, but many of us already have cardigans in our closet, and truth be told, you can get away without a cropped version if you must. However, I intend to make a pretty strong case for why you want one.
The collared sweater isn’t new on the scene by any means, but it is stepping out of its “ladies who golf” box and landing firmly in the middle of all things fashionable. Having decided this was a must-have item this fall, I went on a search for the best one out there.
My Favorite Sweater
My search didn’t take long because one of my favorite stores, J.Crew, has a cashmere version in three of the moment colors: Neon Heather Mint, Ink Navy, and Burnt Timber. The J.Crew Collared Cashmere Sweater is amazing. You all know I am a huge fan of J.Crew cashmere. Last year, I waxed on about the cashmere crew in my The Under $100 Staple You Need post. It is back this year and available in all the great colors.
This fall, I’m feeling the green. I am just drawn to it. So, I decided to pick up the collared sweater in the Neon Heather Mint, which is really a subtle mint. In fact, in many of my shots, the color is washed out to the point of almost looking white, but it is a lovely mint shade. Below is a picture from the J.Crew website. You can see the color more clearly. It really is beautiful.
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How to Wear a Collared Sweater for Fall
Outfit #1: Collared Sweater + Jeans + Sneakers
Adding the collared sweater to jeans and sneakers instantly elevates this relaxed look. You don’t need much else. The sweater stands on its own and makes this outfit casual yet pulled together. It is great for those days you just don’t have the time or the energy to deal with your clothes. Yes. Even fashion bloggers have days like those.
I am all about the light wash jeans for fall. AG Jeans are my go-to for comfort and consistent styling. I added high tops because sneakers are my jam. You could add any shoe to this look, from sneakers to boots. My Paul Green High Tops are seriously comfortable. They are sold out in white, but the black is on sale at Zappos. Snatch them up quick if you are interested.
Outfit #2: Collared Sweater + Blazer + Black Pants + Boots
A collared sweater is inherently dressier than your average sweater, so it is easy to dress it up for the office or outing. I added my favorite blazer to this look. The Gibson Notch Collar Blazer is the perfect blazer for fall. It is available in so many fabulous colors. I have white, black and hot pink and I am really considering the royal blue. The blazer has a patterned lining, which shows when you roll the sleeves up. It is a lightweight cotton blend that doesn’t wrinkle easily. I often bring it along just in case leaving it in my car unless needed. Even after sitting in my car for hours, it still looks great when I put it on.
I added black jeans and Frye Billy Boots for a casual suit vibe. Frye boots are my favorites. The quality is impeccable, and the styles consistent in sizing. I picked these up last winter for their subtle nod to the western trend.
Outfit #3: Collared Sweater + Joggers + Oxfords
2020 might end up being The Year of the Jogger. With so many of us spending more time at home, joggers are having a serious moment. I’ve been a fan for years. I added my collared sweater to my favorite Sanctuary Corduroy Joggers from Anthropologie and a pair of lug sole oxfords from M.Gemi, which I hope they bring back this year. Oxfords just make any outfit instantly cool, and the lug sole is definitely on trend for 2020.
Outfit #4: Collared Sweater + Denim Jacket + Jeans + Boots
Eventually, even a cashmere sweater won’t keep us warm in California. I’ve added the Madewell Oversized Denim Jacket for a little warmth. I’m not one for the Canadian Tuxedo much, so I stick to different colored denim like this jacket with black jeans. Again, I added my Frye boots, but booties would also be adorable with this look.
There are so many ways to wear a collared sweater. For this post, I focused on the J.Crew Collared Cashmere Sweater, but I have linked my other favorite collared sweaters below. Here are three additional ways I envision wearing this sweater for fall & winter.
Other Ways to Wear a Collared Sweater
5. Add Plaid – Lean in on the preppy vibe and add a pair of cool plaid pants. If you want to go all-in, wear with your favorite lug sole loafers but for a less preppy, more polished look, add some suede booties.
6. Play With Textures – Here, I added cream-colored corduroy pants, sneakers & a suede baseball cap. I just picked up the leopard Adidas Swift Run X, and I am obsessed! They are so comfortable and available in several color combinations. Adding different textures together creates a dimensional look that always looks great.
7. Don’t Forget the Skirt – I don’t wear many skirts. I naturally gravitate toward pants, but this sweater looks great with all types of skirts, including the popular pull on midi-skirt. I can’t forget to wear it with my leopard Pull-On Skirt from J.Crew.
Honestly, I am grateful for the warm weather. It will be cold soon enough, and then I will be complaining about the cold. I decided to shift my mindset. Yes, just in the span of writing this post. There will be plenty of time for cozy sweaters and boots. Right now, I am going to enjoy the time outside in the warm sun. 2020 has been rough. Staying at home isn’t very exciting. I think I am just looking forward to some change, but I have decided to live in the moment. This great sweater will have to wait. If you are already headed into cooler weather, consider adding a collared sweater to update your wardrobe for fall.
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