Hey, friend! Every fall, we hear some version of the same question from you: "What sweater should I get?" Maybe you're a busy mom running from school pickup to ball games, maybe you're a grandmom who wants something soft and pretty for the holidays, or maybe you just want to feel put together without a lot of fuss. We get it!
Raise your hand if you have ever fallen in love with a sweater on the hanger, pulled it on, and thought, "Oh no." Too short, too stiff, or way too bulky to wear under a jacket. We have ALL been there. Shopping for fall sweaters for women should feel fun, not frustrating, especially when fall weather can't make up its mind from one day to the next.
So grab a cup of coffee and let's walk through this together, just like we would at the store. We'll share how to pick a knit that fits the way you really live, what to check before you order, how to wear stripes and polka dots without overthinking it, and how to finish the look with wide-leg jeans and sneakers. Every piece we mention comes from our Color Me Cozy collection, so you can see the real thing as you read.
How to Choose Fall Sweaters for Women: Shape, Feel, and How You'll Wear It
Here's the good news. You don't need a fashion degree to pick a great sweater. Three simple questions will get you most of the way there, and they're the same ones we would ask if you walked into the store.
- How much room do you want? A relaxed drop-shoulder knit is easy to layer and forgiving through the middle. A regular crew neck sits a little closer to the body.
- How should it feel? Check the fabric blend on the product page. Many knits are acrylic and polyester blends, and some add a little wool or spandex for softness or stretch.
- How will you wear it? A button-front cardigan can work as a top or a layer. A pullover is the easy grab-and-go option on busy mornings.
Once you can answer those three, you already know which direction to browse. You've got this, we promise!
Cardigans That Work as a Top or a Layer
A good cardigan earns its spot in your closet because you can wear it two ways. Button it up and it's a sweater. Leave it open and it's a pretty layer over a tee or cami.
The Le Lis Long Sleeve Striped Soft Cardigan comes in Butter Multi Stripe and Light Pink Multi Stripe, and it is such a sweet one. It's a soft knit with a little stretch (97% polyester, 3% spandex), with a round neck and buttons down the front. The listed measurements are a 44 inch bust and a 22 inch length, so it's a shorter style rather than a long, draping one. If you love a cardigan that covers more, we just want you to know that before you order.
If you're in the mood for something a little more playful, meet the GiGio Polka Dot Button Down Cardigan. It has a soft brushed knit, a V-neck, and contrast blanket stitching at the placket and hem, and it's available in Green Tea and Rose. The listed bust is 48 inches, which gives it a roomier fit than the Le Lis, and the length is the same 22 inches. The blend is 75% acrylic, 22% polyester, and 3% spandex.
Still deciding? Take your time, sweet friend, and browse our cardigans and kimonos to see which shapes feel most like you.
Striped Sweaters for Easy Weekends
Stripes are one of the simplest ways to bring a little color into fall without needing a big statement piece. They pair with almost every kind of denim, and they're perfect for football Saturdays, errands, or lunch with your girlfriends.
The Staccato Multi Color Striped Sweater is a crew neck in jade and rust stripes with ribbed cream cuffs. The product page lists a 40 inch bust and a 23 inch length and says it runs true to size. The blend is 52% acrylic, 28% nylon, and 20% polyester. If you like a closer, classic fit, this is the one to look at first.
If you'd rather have more room to breathe, the Be Cool Multi Color Striped Wide Neck Sweater has a wide neck, a drop shoulder, and a relaxed body. It comes in Blue Combo and Mocha Combo, with a listed bust of 44 inches and a length of 21 inches. The blend is 65% acrylic, 30% polyester, and 5% wool, and sizes run from small through 3XL. Want to compare a few more? Wander through our sweaters collection and see them side by side.
Wide-Leg Jeans and Sneakers: Finishing the Outfit
A great sweater only gets you halfway there. The bottom half is what makes the whole outfit feel balanced and put together.
The Mica Denim High-Rise Wide Leg Embellished Jeans come in Navy Zodiac with a fun embellished detail. They're high-rise with a wide leg, a 30 inch inseam, and a blend of 70% cotton, 25% polyester, 3% rayon, and 2% spandex. Sizes are listed as 24 through 30, so be sure to check the size chart on the product page. Because the leg is wide, a tucked or half-tucked knit helps keep your proportions from getting lost, and a relaxed drop-shoulder sweater like the Be Cool looks adorable with a front tuck. If wide-leg isn't your thing, no worries at all. Our jeans collection has plenty of other cuts to try.
For shoes, the Corky's Heads Up Sneakers have a flat court sole and a cushioned footbed, and they come in Mini Leopard, Sand, and Pink/Red. The upper is printed synthetic, the care instructions say to wipe clean with a damp cloth, and the listing says they run true to size, with half sizes sizing up. Want more options? Take a look through all of our sneakers.
How to Check Fit Before You Order
We never want you to guess on sizing, so here's the easiest trick. Lay a sweater you already love flat, measure the bust and the length, and hold those numbers up against the measurements on the product page. It takes two minutes and saves so much second-guessing.
One thing to know: on a few of these listings, the measurements note that the size they're based on isn't specified, so treat them as a general guide rather than an exact number. And if you're between sizes or just not sure how a style will fit, please call us at 205-265-2911. Our team would be happy to help you sort it out!
Is This One Right for You? An Honest Look
Not every sweater is right for every woman, and that is completely okay. We would so much rather you love what you buy, so here's an honest look.
- If you like a slim, body-skimming knit, a drop-shoulder style like the Be Cool may feel roomier than you want. The Staccato crew neck is a closer fit.
- If you want a long, draping cardigan, the cardigans here are listed at 22 inches long, so they're on the shorter side.
- If you prefer natural fibers, note that these are blends. Only the Be Cool lists any wool, at 5%, so check the material line on each page.
- If bold patterns aren't your thing, stripes in softer colors are an easier place to start than polka dots.
For care, follow the tag inside each piece.
Shop the Color Me Cozy Collection
Color Me Cozy is our fall knit collection, filled with striped and polka dot cardigans, soft sweaters, wide-leg jeans, and sneakers in colors like butter, navy, dusty blue, and olive. Prices run from about $40 to $90. Come shop the full Color Me Cozy collection and filter down to the shape you're after.
If you already have a favorite label, our guide to the brands we carry at Lavish links to every brand collection. And if you like to try things on first, we'd love to see you! We're a women's boutique in Jasper, Alabama, and a women's clothing boutique in Cullman, Alabama, so you can see how a knit fits before you buy.
Fall Sweater Questions, Answered
What kind of fall sweater is the most versatile?
A button-front cardigan is hard to beat because you can wear it buttoned as a top or open as a layer. A striped crew neck is also easy, since stripes pair with most denim. Pick the shape you'll reach for most often, then choose a color that goes with bottoms you already own.
How do I know what size sweater to order online?
Measure a sweater you already love, then compare the bust and length to the product page. If a listing doesn't say which size its measurements are based on, treat them as a guide. Still not sure? Call us at 205-265-2911 and we'll gladly help you find your size.
Can I wear a cardigan as a top?
Absolutely! A button-front cardigan like the Le Lis Striped Soft Cardigan is meant to be buttoned up and worn as a sweater, then opened over a cami or tee when you want a layer. Just check the listed length first, since some cardigans run shorter than others.
What goes with wide-leg jeans in the fall?
A knit you can tuck in, fully or just in the front, keeps the proportions balanced. Cropped or fitted sweaters work well, and a relaxed drop-shoulder sweater looks great with a front tuck. Finish with sneakers or ankle boots, depending on how dressed up you want to feel.
Are fall sweaters made of wool?
Not always. Many of the sweaters and cardigans in this guide are blends of acrylic, polyester, and spandex, and the Be Cool striped sweater includes 5% wool. Each product page lists the material, so you can check before you order if fabric matters to you.
Can I shop the Color Me Cozy collection in store and online?
Yes, and we would love to see you either way! You can shop in person at 201 19th Street East, Suite 200, in Jasper or 105 1st Avenue NE in Cullman, or order online with shipping anywhere in the US. Shipping is $8.95 on orders under $100 and free at $100 or more, and local pickup is available at checkout.
Finding the Right Fall Knit
The best fall sweater is the one that fits the way you want to wear it and makes you feel like YOU. Decide how much room you like, check the fabric and the measurements, and pick a color that works with the jeans you already own. Stripes and dots are a sweet way to add a little personality without changing everything else.
When you're ready, browse the Color Me Cozy collection online, or stop by Lavish Boutique at 201 19th Street East, Suite 200, in Jasper or 105 1st Avenue NE in Cullman. Our girls would love to help you try a few on, and we can't wait to meet you!
Thank you for letting us be part of your fall. You are so appreciated!
With love,
Your Lavish Boutique family
