I used to really actively dislike cable-knit sweaters—they seemed like the boring side of preppy; the sartorial equivalent of a dial tone. I don’t know exactly what changed—probably a combination of me choosing to expand my horizons, and this kind of sweater becoming cooler and chicer, with happening brands like Acne Studios weighing in with their take on the look, like here.
This one, from Ganni, has a nifty built-in scarf. I also like the speckly yarn.
This is made of a soft wool and cashmere blend, and it’s cropped enough that it wouldn’t overwhelm a flowy dress.
Same deal with this cropped hoodie—I’d skip the super high-waisted pants and instead wear it with dresses.
The honeycomb texture on this one is nicely subtle.
I love a boatneck sweater that’s so committed to its boatneck-edness.
I’d don’t just love the way this sweater vest is styled—I wouldn’t wear it with anything that contrasted so much—but it’s sort of exactly the sweater vest I’ve been searching for, and it rings in at just a speck under $100.
This half-zip sweater reminds me of this far pricier one from Nili Lotan.
And why not a cable-knit sweater in hot pink, I ask you?
I really dig the oversized proportions on this number; also, this is quite similar, and cheaper too.
For your favorite black sheep: a faded red sweater with the word “misfit” stitched at the collar.
The shoulder buttons here are a nicely French touch, and it’s marked generously down. 
This is way too much, but I also kind of like it. I think the fact that the colorful bits and the fringe-y bits only take up so much space on the sweater, and the rest of it is comparatively subdued, helps.
I always love a tennis sweater—so classic and old-school. At the same time, this one feels quite of this moment.
I truly love cable knits – I think because I always imagine myself riding a horse through the wind-swept Scottish moors before heading back to the castle to share a hot cocoa with Ralph Lauren.
I really like the “too much” sweater, and all the pink or red ones, and the cropped ones. I also like most of the just regular ones. Oooh, and the tennis one too!! I *j’adore* tipped sweaters. (That joke pleases me. I am immature. Sorry.) No idea where they came from, or why. (Will intergoggle later.) I guess I am easy when it comes to sweaters.
The intergogglie didn’t know why sweaters became tipped. My guess is it came from one or another British sport. Also I may be calling it the wrong thing. Anyway, I think it is neat-o.
While I am chitchatting about rando things, TCM has a great lineup today. Half remembrance of Pearl Harbor, and then some excellent classics later on. It is too bad that I allow real life to interfere with my watching. It is very nice to know, though, that although film is only 100 or so years old, I still haven’t caught up yet. Lots of great things I haven’t seen. … … … Also, in my online wanderings, I happened to catch the Bloomberg Citylab gift list, and it’s not bad, so if anyone is stumped you might want to look.
I have a grey cable knit cardigan that my Irish mother-in-law knit for me a zillion years ago….here in LA there’s not much opportunity to wear it, but you’ve inspired me to see what I can do with it!
I did not notice the misfit stitching until I looked at everything Mother had to offer then went back to it! Great post! Stay warm!
Love a cable knit, cannot wear a cable knit––it’s just too much sweater for someone 5’2″. I do love that vest and the hoodie, but the croppedness (and if that’s a word Eloise invented, it should be adopted by Webster’s immediately!) gives me major pause.
I’m 5’1 and It took me forever to realize this. I’d order them every year and they always looked dumpy on. However, I did get this sweater for Christmas and it is perfect because the knit is less bulky than your average cable knit and the fit is cropped. It’s my favorite sweater: https://kieljamespatrick.com/collections/womens-sweaters-1/products/new-england-donegal-oatmeal-sweater-womens
That’s a gorgeous sweater, Liz!
OMG! My twenty year old Lands End sweater looks exactly like that Acne sweater! I just dug it out of the cedar chest and I feel like I won the lottery! Then, because I live in Florida, I folded it up and put it back 😀
Cool post, Kim! Love the Misfit sweater. Who doesn’t feel like a misfit, I ask you?
Well, THAT was fun! I will be dreaming about the Red Mother Misfit ( and did you see the non-cable leopard option) and Rebecca Taylor Cardie Sweaters. Thank you for this selection. Tremendous!
I really want to get “Misfit” stiched on a sweater now. I won’t do it because (1) lazy and (2) it seems a bit slimy to steal the idea but….
Wondering if a tailor would do it? Says the person whose “to be tailored” pile got so out of control she donated the whole thing to Goodwill.
I’ve done the same. Sigh.
Me three. Sigh.
“The sartorial equivalent of a dial tone”. Wow. That might be the best thing I’ve read all year. Thank you.
Not as high-end as some of the sweaters here, but I have gotten this Gap cable-knit in three colors (including the hot pink!). They re 100% cotton, which is a godsend for me since I can no longer tolerate any wool or cashmere against my skin.
https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=7593530020003&pcid=999&vid=1&searchText=cotton+sweater#pdp-page-content
Dying to know what those fabulous shoes are in the first photo!
(The sweater is nice, too…)
Loving the hoodie but since its apparent mega (had to be very careful to avoid a certain typo there) -croppedness will require it to hang out in my shopping cart while the internal debate goes on. I’m not a high-waisted Jean fan and most of my dresses are summer weight/cotton, and if it is cold enough for a cardi on top, my bottom half would freeze.
What would MAGA- Croppedness look like? Orange, really wide and wildly unflattering with one lapel that was flipped the wrong way?
Ohhh, the typos (it is early!)….would love an “edit comment” option next site revamp….