Piperlime Mixed Media Sweater
Whatever your style, there’s no denying that a great knit piece can elevate your look. If you’ve got a great pair of jeans, you can pair it with the humblest of sweatshirts and still look great. But if you’ve got a closet full of sweaters, even the softest cashmere can seem a little too basic. This season, designers are mashing up materials and giving the simple sweater or sweatshirt a major overhaul.
From big names such as Givenchy and Calvin Klein Collection, who pieced together knits with panels of neoprene or printed plastic, to more romantic takes from Vera Wang and Rachel Zoe, who mixed chunky ribs with soft sheer pieces, there’s something for the prim and proper and the punk-influenced alike. We’ve gathered together a few of our favorite mixed media knits, which you can pair with your go-to denim, leather-accent leggings or even a floor-grazing maxi skirt for an update on the relaxed, louche look that we’re all loving.
H&M Fine-knit Sweater
Fast fashion retailer H&M is always quick to jump on a trend, which makes the brand’s stores a great place to go if you’re looking for runway-inspired pieces that 1) fit in your budget and 2) often hit the sales floor before their high-end inspiration. The not-so-basic black Fine Knit Sweater ($17.50) looks pretty straightforward at first glance, but take a closer look and you’ll see that the super-soft micro knit is accented by attention-grabbing faux-leather (vegan!) sleeves. Paired with a great coat and a chunky knit scarf, you’ll look like a street style celeb. But pair it with black staples and keep it monochromatic and you might just get mistaken for a celeb fresh off a plane at LAX.
Available at H&M.
Hive & Honey Eyelet Sweatshirt
A grey crew neck sweatshirt is a staple that just about everyone has in their closet, but it can look a little bland and boring if it’s missing that something special. The Hive & Honey Eyelet Sweatshirt ($49) takes the athletic staple and adds a huge dose of feminine detail with a delicate eyelet panel in the front. The effect lightens up the look, giving this go-to layering piece a little less weight and making it a great piece to add when the temps drop and keep wearing through spring and summer when you’re sitting beachside in your cutoffs — trust us, those days are fast approaching, so buy this now and you’ll wear it all year long.
Available at Piperlime.
Club Monaco Celeste Lace Top
If you want the same feminine details as the Eyelet Sweatshirt but don’t want to be wearing a sweatshirt, the Club Monaco Celeste Lace Top ($79.50) takes the same basic idea and puts it on a more dressy look. The top is an ultra-fine tee-shirt, but there’s a delicate lace detail on the front and back, giving it a more work-appropriate look and feel. We love that it’s lightweight, which makes it great for under coats and blazers but also because we can reach for it through the chill of spring’s mornings and nights.
Available at Club Monaco.
Glamorous Contrast Shoulder Sweatshirt
Say your look is more slouchy and casual than buttoned-up. The Glamorous Contrast Shoulder Sweatshirt ($39) has a looser, more relaxed shape than our other picks. It’s got a cool sporty look, but that’s tempered with soft sheer panels at the shoulder. It’s a great look if you’re into sleek, athletic looks from Céline or Michael Kors but don’t want too look too polished or precious. It’s a great item to pair with this season’s track pants for a look that’s perfectly on-trend without looking like you’re trying too hard.
Available at Piperlime.
J. Crew Vintage Sweatshirt in Metallic Triangles
Shimmer and shine with the J. Crew Vintage Sweatshirt in Metallic Triangles ($65). The geometric design gives this simple gray sweatshirt a major dose of cool — it’s something that could be on the runways at Missoni or Isabel Marant, no question about it — and keeps things easy to wear. We can’t think of many things that this sweatshirt won’t go with, and it’s guaranteed to get you compliments whether you’re shopping at Whole Foods and Barneys alike. We love it with black denim and biker boots to temper a badass moto look or with white jeans and gladiator sandals for an off-duty weekend look that’s still polished.
Available at J.Crew.
Shop the trend:
Images courtesy Piperlime, J. Crew, Club Monaco, H&M