Sweaters

Sweaters Category Review

cIt’s no surprise that from living in San Francisco for the past 12 years, sweaters is by far the biggest category in my closet. I own a total of 61! We wear sweaters year round here which is why I think my collection is predominately lighter in color as those shades are versatile. I recently learned I’m sensitive to alpaca wool so I’ve been keeping a closer eye on the fibers I’ve been buying recently opting for cashmere, cotton and wool. Cashmere does pill but this sweater shaver works wonders!

I’ve broken this category down into 6 subcategories and below, am sharing how I think about managing each. Overall I’m needing a few more basic sweaters in various weights to round out my collection. Also I would love to infuse in a few special pop colors (like this one) into the mix. A few of the sweaters I own have become “comfy at home” throw on sweaters and they need to go soon! They’re also one’s mostly in synthetic fibers which I’m done buying, I find my body struggling to maintain it’s temperature when I wear them.

Sleeveless

I only own two sleeveless sweaters and here they are! The emerald green one is from Reformation (link here) and I’ve found myself wearing it the most out at night with a cute jacket. The grey one functions more like a vest, I’ve found myself wearing it on it’s own as well as layering it up with a turtleneck in chillier months. What I’ve learned about this sub-category is that sleeveless sweaters make the best layering items!

Short Sleeve

I have 7 short sleeved sweaters and by far my most worn are the cashmere tee’s. I love the loose fit of the Kilte Liz Tee and the more traditional J.Crew Relaxed Tee. Definitely could use a few more colors in both of these!

All of the remaining short sleeve sweaters are special fashion styles. When I wear each of them, they are the star of the show! I think I’m over some of the pastel one’s from my Sweet & Spark days though. Lately I’d prefer my accessories to be the center of an outfit.

V-Neck

This sub-category includes any open neck styles like polos and loose cross overs. I own a total of 7 v-neck sweaters. I especially like owning a variety of weights in this bucket. My two favorite styles are the Reformation Jadey (which I have in red from last year) and the Jenni Kayne Flynn. I love the deep v and thick rib on the Reformation sweater, it makes it feel really distinctive.

I’d say black, white and grey are my most worn neutrals so it would be nice to have all of them in the Jenni Kayne Flynn style because it’s one of those sweaters you can effortlessly wear year round in California.

Crewneck

I own a total of 16 crew neck sweaters, by far my go-to sub-category because of how easy they are to wear. I love oversized styles as long as they aren’t too thick and stiff because I feel like they just eat me up if they are. A boxy, drapey shape goes a long way!

My two most worn crews are the Jenni Kayne Fisherman and the J.Crew Classic Cashmere Crew, both of which I own in grey and cream. I could use a classic black crew in this department! I also would love a few new pop colored and pastel crews. I always keep my eye on the classic J.crew cashmere styles seasonally to see what new colors they introduce.

Mock/Turtleneck

This is the biggest sub-category of sweaters I own because back in my S&S days we were obsessed with the Line & Dot Alder funnel neck sweater so much that I have it in 10 colors! Honestly I don’t wear it as much as I used to not because I still don’t love the style but because I think I’m just over wearing it. Does that ever happen to you? What I did learn from it’s run is how important it is to have a fuzzy sweater (like the white one I’m wearing above) in your collection for the holiday season and also the importance of owning pop color sweaters in easy silhouettes that you love. I’ve been on the hunt for beautiful fairisle sweaters this season and love this Veronica Beard one which I’ll be stalking down at The Real Real!

Cardigans

Maybe I should have started with this sub-category because the Jenni Kayne Cocoon Cardigan (I own 3) are by far the most worn sweaters in my closet, especially the grey one. When I think about the nature of cardigans, I think oversized and cozy! Most of mine are exactly that with the exception of a few that are crew neck or fly away (meaning no closure) which are great for lighter layering on warmer days.