The Reign of Chunky Sweaters Is Over. Now, It’s Time for Thin Knits to Shine
Five very chic ways I style my slim sweaters.
We have been in an era of the chunky knit. The popularity of The Row’s Ophelia jumper and its mountain of (pretty well executed, actually) dupes created a sea of big sweaters for all of us to swim in. I’m not complaining; it’s been cozy out here. But while we’ve been collectively taking our sweaters XL, I fear we’ve lost sight of a wardrobe superhero—the thin knit.
Where a chunky knit limits the winter coats you can wear with it, the options are nearly endless when we’re firmly entrenched in the thin knit category. In 2026, clothes are also becoming less intensely oversized, so thin-knit sweaters just make sense again.
When I think of this particular sweater weight, Prada’s Fall 2013 collection comes to mind. Prada and Miu Miu, overall, are champions of fine-gauge knits, but it’s the styling in this collection that gets me. Soon after seeing the show, I was off on the streets of New York City, wearing a cardigan over my shoulder and a vintage long leather A-line skirt. I also bought the brand's platform sandals with the sweater zip.
But I digress: the reason this runway resonated with me was all the innovative ways Prada's sweaters were worn—askew, unbuttoned, under, and over dresses.
I’ve recently procured a range of great slim sweaters, and I'm having a great time experimenting with how I wear them this winter. I love letting my clothes work for me; the items in your closet should make getting dressed easier, never more difficult. Thin knits do exactly that.
Below, I showcase all the ways I’m currently styling my favorite thin-knit sweaters, some of which were directly inspired by Prada's Fall 2013 showing.
A Thin Knit Grounds Weirder Pieces
I loved this Zara skirt when I saw it; it’s a different color than I’m used to and a little sheer, but there’s that cool wrap detail. I definitely pictured it with a maillot for warm-weather vacations. But then I put my thin gray polo sweater with it, and suddenly it made sense for now, particularly when worn with boots. The sweater added a layer of seriousness while maintaining the inherent airiness that would have been lost with a bulkier one.
Swap Your Coat Tie for a Thin Knit
Because the thin knit is, well, thin, I find that I can tie it any which way. Think of it more like a silk scarf than a sweater. I love it tied around the waist, cinched over this shorter coat, and paired with leggings and loafers. You can also, of course, wear your sweater as a scarf around your neck, too.
Pair a Thin Knit With Leather and Suede
With the proliferation of leather and suede trousers and skirts, the question often becomes: What do I wear with them? Sometimes we envision fall and winter items editorially styled, like with a t-shirt or tank. But is this really logical? Utilitarian? This is where I, once again, opt for the thin knit. A great pair of suede pants, a turtleneck sweater, and leather gloves? Yes, please.
Or, a leather pencil skirt, ivory turtleneck, boots, and vintage scarf? Also, yes.
Layer All the Things
By nature, a thin knit can be worn with other thin knits, and I love to layer mine just because I can. Here, I paired an ivory sweater under a polo, topped it with a blazer, and then tied a scarf around my waist without any of it feeling bulky. This, I find, is a sort of freedom.
