I Collect Unique Sweaters—These 15 Standout Knits Are Guaranteed to Get Compliments

These aren’t your basic crewnecks—they’re conversation starters.

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April Lockhart style at large unique sweaters
(Image credit: April Lockhart)

While I resonate with the universal struggle of finding good tops as an adult (a mission I’ll solve another day), somehow sweaters and I have always spoken the same language. I love a colorful statement knit that's warm and comfortable—and that does the talking for me. The moment the temperature drops and a crisp breeze hits the air, I exhale. Styling is about to get a whole lot easier.

By the way—I’m not against staple sweaters, but that’s not what we’re here to talk about today. Right now, we’re breaking out the funky knits.

April Lockhart wearing a unique sweater in winter 2025

(Image credit: April Lockhart)

As much as I love encouraging people to elevate their outfits, a statement sweater does most of the heavy lifting for you. Throw on a pair of jeans, some flats or chic boots, and I promise someone will ask you for the link. That’s the power of a fun find.

Sweaters are one of my favorite things to thrift, too. There's no feeling like the thrill of spotting a designer piece for a fraction of the price in a sea of secondhand chaos. And when it's a chunky, oversized Ralph Lauren knit, it's truly euphoric. Finding unique, colorful sweaters brings me a type of serotonin I wish I could recreate. Actually, I can, with the joys of online shopping.

April Lockhart wearing a unique sweater in winter 2025

(Image credit: April Lockhart)

For reference, here’s a snap of my very bright, overflowing collection. As you can see, I really don’t have a “type”—and hopefully, that gives me some credibility here. Knits that span aesthetics, budgets, and levels of boldness. Some days my version of “funky” is a little feather detailing, others it's full on rainbow stripes—and for the last four days, it’s been this incredible split-color zip-up cardigan from Sea New York that I couldn’t get out of my head after I saw it on TikTok.

So from a devoted funky knit girl, here’s 15 sweaters I think you need right now from Fair Isle to embroidery and every pattern in between.

April Lockhart
April Lockhart
Contributing Fashion Editor

April Lockhart is the founder of Disabled& and an advocate for the disabled community. She's been featured in Vogue, The Cut, Byrdie, Refinery 29, Who What Wear, and Fast Company, among others. Her 2023 debut at New York Fashion Week walking for Victoria’s Secret’s adaptive line and her work as a model for Anthropologie’s adaptive collection has solidified her status as a trailblazer in both the fashion industry and advocacy space. In 2025, April was featured on Forbes' 30 under 30 list. She's also on Substack.