For decades, Fair Isle sweaters have been the sartorial mascot of the ritzy, après ski crowd—the type of people who vacation in Vail wearing Chloé snow boots. They're generally considered a preppy staple and, as such, are generally avoided by those who prefer an alt aesthetic. But Sydney Sweeney, renowned Fair Isle enthusiast, has done the impossible: made the bourgeois, Kate Middleton-esque favorite look edgy-cool.
Armed with an oversized ivory-colored knit—a luxury purchase from Celine—Sweeney layered it with frayed jeans and a slouchy, '80s-era leather jacket. Though Fair Isle knitwear is most commonly associated with barn jackets and cashmere scarves, Sweeney chose black leather add-ons to give her sweater an edge—a popular cool-girl styling trick.
In addition to her outerwear, the Immaculate actor also reached for a black leather Arcadie bag—a boxy Miu Miu design beloved by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner. Finished with classic wayfarer sunglasses, her outfit looked like something you'd wear on the back of a motorcycle rather than the ski slopes.
Sydney Sweeney styled her festive sweater with black leather accessories.
It's been a Fair Isle type of week for Sweeney, who wore another version of the Aspen off-duty uniform a mere 24 hours prior. On Dec. 15, the star was photographed on the streets of New York City with fiancé Jonathan Davino. Naturally, she embodied the posh metropolitan vibe NYC is known for.
Utilizing leather details once more, she chose dark chocolate trousers to go with her camel-colored Gucci sweater. Though softer in color, Sweeney's pants had the same effect as her tough-girl leather jacket.
Sweeney wore another designer fair isle sweater the day before—this time from Gucci.
Even before Sweeney's double endorsement, the Fair Isle sweater has accumulated a long list of notable fans. The festive print has been a royal family favorite for more than a century, having been worn by everyone from Princess Diana and Kate Middleton to the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) in 1921.
More recently, Hailey Bieber styled a camel version of her own in 2023 with a pleated mini skirt. And this year, fashion week guests paired theirs with denim and micro shorts. So really, Sweeney is the latest advocate for giving this sweater a thoroughly modern makeover.
Shop Fair Isle Sweaters Inspired By Sydney Sweeney
-
The Results Are in: These Are the Top Adidas Sneaker Styles to Buy in 2025These won't stay in stock for long.
-
Princess Diana Had a "Secret" Trick to "Avoid Wearing Tights" Around the RoyalsRules be damned.
-
Drew Barrymore Talks Turning 50, Is Excited to Do "Some Real Middle-Aged Woman Sh*t""I would like to live the second half of my life like the B side of a record, not the same way as the A side."
-
Rihanna's Spicy Savage x Fenty Lingerie Campaign Is the Ultimate Valentine's Day Mood BoardHer latest campaign is a V-day mood board.
-
Solange Knowles Elevates Her Signature All-Black Outfit With a $1,395 Croissant Bag at Men's Paris Fashion WeekPerfect for Paris Fashion Week.
-
Taylor Swift’s Cozy, Under-$500 Date-Night Dress Is Finally Back in StockIt's a perfect Valentine's Day pick.
-
Sydney Sweeney Will Revive the Flare Jeans Trend for 2025 With This Early Aughts-Coded OutfitIt's cooler than you remember.
-
Hailey Bieber Pairs a $3,050 Moncler Puffer Coat and Massive Diamond Ring for Ski Lessons With JustinShe's got rich-girl snow bunny dressing down to a science.
-
Hailey Bieber Styles a $15,800 Ferragamo Fur Coat and $3,200 Bag for Dinner With Kendall and Kylie Jenner in AspenShe does millionaire dressing like no one else.
-
Sydney Sweeney Revives the Crescent Bag Trend, Carrying Three Designer Takes in One WeekendShe carried three versions in one weekend.
-
Keke Palmer Wears $10,650-Worth of Designer It Bags in 24 Hours From Alaïa, Chloé, and DiorShe's living the fashion girl dream.
