Sweaters are the hallmark of fall fashion. You can expect a shortlist of knitwear styles to reprise every season—for instance, autumn will never go by without a fashion girl putting on her best When Harry Met Sally cosplay in a thick-gauge, cream cable knit. But given that the fashion industry is an ever-moving machine that feeds on newness, designers can't help but celebrate the cooling weather by adding a few newcomer fall sweaters into the mix.
Here, we shout out the reliable heritage stitches and patterns that are the building blocks to a fall fashion capsule, such as a neutral cashmere crewneck and woolly cardigan you can swaddle yourself in, and invite you to make space for a few of Fall 2025's sweater trends, citing recent runways and the street style circuit as evidence. (With the resurgence of Americana prep at Milan Fashion Week, now's a good time to make room on your shelf for a rugby-striped polo and a collegiate zip-up.)
Constantly evolving in style, fabric, and structure, this year's fall sweaters for everyone, from knitwear purists to trend-driven shoppers. Ahead, the 42 best styles for Fall 2025 and beyond.
The Polo Sweater
Perhaps the most ubiquitous sweater among the New York City street style set, polo-style knits have shed their stuffy, academic connotations and emerged as a preppy staple with mainstream appeal. Striped collared sweaters have become the breakout silhouette, which tracks, considering fashion's rugby shirt renaissance. Luxury label Khaite has been ahead of the curve for years now with its iconic Jo sweater, while Banana Republic and J.Crew's collared pull-overs are exceptional options at a lower price point.
The Chunky Crewneck
An oversized, thicker-gauge knit doesn't have to read frumpy. Case in point: Marie Claire's fashion editor, Lauren Tappan, at NYFW (pictured above) styled a gray crewneck sweater with a white turtleneck base layer and a jet black mini skirt. With its clean lines and neutral color palette, her outfit had a minimal '90s slant that toned down the bulk and texture of her knit. When shopping for an effortless crewneck, fashion crowd favorites like Cos and &Daughter are a great starting point.
The Lady Cardigan
The lady jacket has had one of the more impressive style rebrands in recent fashion history. Once a symbol of feminine polish and conservative suiting, the pocketed, button-down style has become current and cool in large part due to the street style cohort (evidence A, pictured above). Fall 2025 builds on the piece's momentum, rendering the prim silhouette in relaxed merino wool and fluffy cashmere. Consider creating your own cardigan outfits this season with lady jacket-style knits from Sézane and Zara.
The Zip-Up Sweater
There's a noticeable sporty undertone to the current season. You can see it in the Parisian windbreaker trend and how NYC's downtown darlings are reclaiming fleece jackets from finance bros. The rise of relaxed, zip-up sweaters is another piece of proof—a constant at Fall 2025's Fashion Month, and a best-seller at retailers like Everlane and J.Crew.
The Classic Cable Knit
Historically worn by fishermen, cable-knit sweaters are a cold-weather staple thanks to their warmth (traditionally provided by a 100 percent wool makeup) and durability (fit for the seven seas). This fall doesn't stray too far from the style's integral design, save for rendering it in some of the season's foremost color trends—like Sézane's cable-knit in rich mulled wine and Maeve's emerald green cardigan.
The Hair-Thin Knit
Take it from the street style crowd: This fall, a barely-there sweater will be your wardrobe MVP. Wear yours as a layering piece, peeking out beneath a blazer or a thicker-gauge knit, or on its own with a nice-looking bra you don't mind giving the world a glimpse of. Intimissimi's cashmere top went viral for a reason (look up the brand's sheer sweater on TikTok, and you'll see what we mean), but if you're open to a steeper splurge, The Row's cashmere Iverness long-sleeve will last you for years to come.
The Personality Sweater
While a familiar Fair Isle sweater will always remain a pillar of knitwear, more expressive, statement-making patterns—like kaleidoscopic stripes and animal motifs—are a focal point for Fall 2025. Have fun with bright colors and illustrative patterns that make your sweater the star of the show. You can still keep it classic with more of a heritage option, like Polo Ralph Lauren's teddy bear crewneck. Otherwise, shoot for the stars in Sandy Liang's berry-printed cardigan or Abercrombie & Fitch's wrap-around dachshund pull-over.
