“Sweaters with interesting patterns,” requests a reader named Diane. “I’d love to introduce more fun and variety to my wardrobe of solids and stripes.” This is a post that took me well out of my comfort zone, because pretty much all of my sweaters are solids or stripes. However I found much to like—for example this red leopard print number (there are a lot of animal prints in this post). I always like stripes juxtaposed with animal prints.
This cardigan has a decidedly treasured-vintage-find feel.
This one isn’t left in many sizes, but it was too awesome not to include.
And this zebra pattern is nearly sold out too, but how perfect is it?
Here’s a tiger stripe sweater that’s subtle enough to wear even if animal prints typically scare you.
This Navajo-looking pattern would be fantastic with worn-in jeans, just as shown here.
There are animal prints and then there are animal prints—they both have their fans—and this is a pretty ideal iteration of the latter.
A cashmere sweater with a dreamy star print and a lovely bateau neckline.
I like how faded-out the animal print is here.
Conversely, I like how much the leopard pattern pops on this burgundy specimen.
This snake is so cool, and reminds me of this vintage book cover by Joan Didion.
A fun, deconstructed tennis sweater for kicking about.
I think the butterflies on this slightly spendy option are really quite beautiful.
Such a pretty watercolor effect.
This Fair Isle-inspired sweater has such a great, graphic color combination.
I might have to spring for this slouchy camo sweater—it looks perfect for lounging.
Here’s a fashioned-up Baja hoodie—minus the hood. I dig the pops of orange.
I’m not a big fan of prints, other than stripes of course (My religion…), but an occasional animal print is fun. I bought a tiger stripe cardi from Target last year because it looked like pretty much every other animal print, expensive or not. Ralph Lauren’s “Southwestern” cardigans are pretty gorgeous, and classic, IMHO, so I’d make an exception for those.
Lauren’s Flag stuff is cute too, but off-limits because I might be mistaken for a Trumper.
So true! Let’s reclaim the flag for Liberal America!
That last Tory Burch number is cute. $700 worth of cute it is not.
After a bad day (and it’s only lunchtime I figured I deserve the black Rails sweater and the 360cashmere watercolor one. And I picked up a pair of jeans on Shopbop for good measure. Better that swan diving into a pint of ice cream. 🙂
Haha! I just bought ice cream for that reason!
Boden has a lot of fun patterned sweaters. But I’ve only just branched out from neutral knits to green, purple and blue solids. I am also eyeing a black and white stripe.
Loving both the fair isle cardigan and the black one with the snake on the back. Like you, most of my sweaters are plain or with a stripe pattern. It’s good to push yourself out of your comfort zone occasionally.
Once again we are on the same wavelength, CW. (except – GoACA blasphemy – I am not a huge stripe fan).
I believe GoACA is an inclusive blog, Eloise. 😉
Ditto what cw said. I am with Eloise, with a few exceptions – one being, I do liked striped trims, like the tennis sweater. Oh, also some Bretons. Hmm, maybe I am too wobbly. … … I have recently received the shocking news that a good friend feels that all argyle patterns are too loud. Even on socks.
And, I was going to call some of these size ranges Fascist, but, I am guilty of never buying patterned sweaters. So, it is a moral muddle today. And, maybe early for the other F-bomb. Ah well.
Never too early for the other F-bomb, Viajera, and, CW, your “push” on the IWTBH Dre’s worked….
I have the Rails grey camo one – it IS good and loungey
Got the jungle cat one in a cart – saving it for later – I think it would make a great pre-spring to go with white jeans
Kim,
To the extend any of your links are affiliate links and earn you a tiny commission, how long are they generally valid for? (E.g., I am not going to get any of these sweaters right now, but who knows how I’ll feel in a week…month, or two.) Does it help you at all if we search for old links for some of your go-to retailers before purchasing something (and not necessarily the item highlighted in a given post)?
I will receive a commission as long as you click on the original link within—I believe—six weeks of it being posted. Thanks for asking.