How To Wear A Sweater Over 40 | 10 Sweaters Every Woman Needs

It’s sweater weather at last! Well, sort of. Here in Florida, October signals the start of dreaming about sweater weather, when the temps occasionally plunge into the 70s, but that’s enough for us to pull out the cardigans and pretend it’s chilly. Still, fall means a switch from our now-tired summer wardrobes to something more fitting for the season, and I’m ready.

I recently did my seasonal wardrobe transition and it felt like Christmas, remembering old favorites! And of course many of those included sweaters. The best time to assess the pieces for the upcoming season is when you are making the switch from one season to another. Evaluate each item before putting it into your closet, and ask yourself whether it deserves a place in your wardrobe. Keep a running list of what’s missing. I discovered I need a new neutral striped sweater.

Today, I share some strategies for styling your sweaters in flattering ways, plus a list of 10 sweaters you might want to consider for your wardrobe.

Of course you can find all of my favorite sweaters for fall (including the ones shown below) in this catalog!

3 Tips on Styling A Sweater

Sweaters are cozy and essential and can also be chic, but they require a little styling to look their best.

1. Balance Bulky With Fitted: The baggy + baggy look is increasingly hard to pull off as we get older, but honestly hard at any age. If you love it, go for it, but for most of us, balancing a bulky sweater with more tailored fitted pants is going to be a lot more flattering. Keeping some skin exposed (when appropriate for the weather), as in with a V neckline or by hiking up the sleeves, and strategic tucking can all contribute to a more balanced look.
2. Accessorize: A sweater and basic pants can seem less than inspired, so add personality to yours with a scarf, a necklace, fab earrings, a hat, or a jacket. Keeping the bottoms more interesting (i.e. leather pants rather than plain black ones) can also make your sweater more stylish.
3. Avoid Too Oversized Or Chunky: See point #1. Skip very oversized sweaters and scarves, and pay attention to scale when choosing your knits. Knits as a rule can add bulk because they are made of more substantial fibers, so choose a scale that works with your scale.

10 Sweaters Every Woman Needs

Okay, you don’t really need 10 sweaters. I mean, I hate to limit you. 🙂 But these are 10 categories of sweaters that I love and that I think might deserve a place in your wardrobe.

The Striped Sweater

From colorful rainbow stripes like this sweater, or a classic marine-inspired navy or black and white version, stripes are a way to add print to this usually solid staple. A neutral striped sweater, in particular, is timeless and essential in my opinion.

Novelty Sweater

Whether it’s a novelty print (hearts, flowers, animals) or words, a novelty sweater adds personality to your cold weather wardrobe. The key to pulling this off? Choose something that aligns with your personal style, and let it be the star of the outfit.

The Cardigan Sweater

Whether worn long and layered or buttoned-up on its own, a cardigan is a wardrobe essential no woman should be without. The modern styles are a bit chunkier and make great additions to any outfit.

The Fitted Fine Knit Sweater

A fitted knit works well in a turtleneck, as an alternative to a tee, layered under jackets or worn with flowier pants. Ribbed and smooth knits are equally stylish and available this year.

The Chunky Knit Sweater

A chunky sweater needs some help to be its most flattering (see my styling tips, above) but it’s a modern, cozy, and stylish choice.

The Sleeveless Sweater

From tanks to vests to classic sleeveless styles, these are great as transition pieces now and layered over and under heftier pieces as the weather cools off.

The Classic Sweater

From a Fair Isle, Shetland, or Aran style sweater to a classic argyle or simple cable knit, a classic sweater is a timeless piece that you can invest in, especially if you keep the shape flattering and the details minimal.

The Cashmere Sweater

A cashmere sweater is a luxury every woman should own, and with straight-to-consumer brands like Mott & Bow, Quince, and Naadam, it’s more affordable than ever. Another option for affordable cashmere is to find a classic style at a thrift or consignment store. Vintage cashmere is often the best quality!

The Cotton Sweater

A cotton sweater is a great year-round choice in many climates, and works with a bathing suit in the summer and boots in the winter.

Which of these is your favorite? And which would you like to add to your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments!