Shopping
TOO HOT FOR CASHMERE
I love dressing for summer and am in no hurry to pack any of it away. But by late August, I’m always ready to start mixing in a few things that feel new for fall—even when it is still very hot outside.
Enter the cotton sweater. Cotton sweaters are one of those rare year-round buys for me. Case in point: this Tuckernuck one might be the best thing I bought all summer. It’s lightweight enough to wear when it’s warm, substantial enough for freezing AC, and has that slightly oversized, easy fit that makes it work with almost everything. I’ve worn it with white denim, shorts, and skirts, and I’ll keep wearing it straight into fall with jeans. (The Texas heat is relentless, so cotton knits tend to hit the sweet spot: they give me the look and feel of a sweater without being too heavy to actually wear.) It’s exactly why I keep buying them: a good cotton sweater is one of the few knits I can wear nearly year-round.
Below, the cotton sweaters I’m buying—and wearing—before sweater weather officially arrives.
TUCKERNUCK SWEATER
This is the kind of sweater that earns permanent real estate in my closet. The relaxed fit gives it just enough shape without feeling oversized, and the ivory goes with absolutely everything.
SEZANE VIRGIL SWEATER
The color got me first. That perfect poppy red makes even the simplest jeans-and-sweater combination feel interesting, and the oversized shape gives it that easy, slightly borrowed feel I always love.
J.CREW ROLLNECK SWEATER
A J.Crew classic for a reason. The rollneck and slightly oversized fit give this a little more personality than your standard ivory crewneck, but it’s still the kind of 100% cotton staple you’ll reach for constantly.
TUCKERNUCK BROOKS SWEATER
This is the one I’m keeping within arm’s reach for the foreseeable future —over my shoulders, in my beach bag, or thrown on with shorts at the end of the day. And I love the red stripe; it feels nostalgic in the best way.
LA LIGNE PERFECT SWEATER
The name sets a pretty high bar, but as the owner of this sweater in two colors, I can attest that it lives up to the hype. The chunky ribbed knit and boxy shape are exactly what I want from a knit, and the cotton-cashmere blend makes it one of those pieces that can live in your closet across seasons.
TOTEME COTTON SWEATER
I’m usually drawn to neutrals, but this shade of yellow is so good. The simple shape keeps the color from feeling like too much, and it’s exactly the kind of sweater that does all the work with a pair of jeans.
BROCHU WALKER ARIA POPOVER
For something a little less basic. The open stitch, deep V, and exaggerated cuffs make this feel special without losing the ease of a cotton sweater. Size up!
MADEWELL BOATNECK PULLOVER SWEATER
Just bought this one. The sale price is hard to beat. The proportions (wide boatneck, cropped length) of the sweater are just right for high-waisted denim.
LA LIGNE X ERIN WALSH SAMIRA CARDIGAN
The oversized, boxy shape keeps the cardigan from feeling too sweet, and the cotton-cashmere blend gives you a little of that cashmere softness without making it a full-on winter sweater. I also love that it can be worn backwards—two sweaters in one is a shopping argument I can get behind.
TUCKERNUCK STRIPE WILLIAM CREWNECK
I love this ivory-and-brown combo for fall. It feels a little richer than the classic navy stripe but is every bit as easy to wear.
SHOPPING LIST
