I Spent Years Searching for the Perfect Sweater. I Found It.
My wardrobe is bigger than my closet, so I’m forced to pack away winter clothes every spring. Historically, the beloved sweater of my past had a permanent spot in my closet (or in Emily’s) year-round, and the same goes for the new one.
Even in warm weather, it will remain on the hanger, ready to serve as a peelable layer for coastal vacations, unpredictable airport temperatures, and chilly spring mornings that turn into sweaty afternoons.
This sweater is fit for nearly any season and occasion.
There is some space between the knit, allowing a bit of air to pass through. This makes the sweater breathable, while the cotton’s heft adds insulation.
The sweater is slightly oversized, which allows for plentiful layering options. Some layering is functional — over a T-shirt in the fall or a tank top in early spring, to protect from the transitional breeze. But other layering options are for style points, like a button-up shirt with the collar poking out or a dress disguised as a skirt.
2) If I put my hands in my pockets, you can see the extra fabric bunch up. To me, it looks cozy and lived-in. But if you want a tighter fit, I’d suggest going with your normal size or sizing down. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter
I’m equally obsessed with how this sweater fits. Compared with most of my tops, it hangs longer on my body, which I like. The website suggests this sweater “fits slightly big” based on customer reviews, which might make you size down. But actually, I sized up — buying a medium, not my usual small. I did this because my old sweater was a size large, and I wanted to dupe that oversized feel.
If you want a snug fit, don’t do what I did — just buy your normal size, or consider going one size down.
2 If you want to cuff the sleeves, the rolled edge helps to hold the fold in place, so you’re not constantly readjusting. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter
The sleeves have a rolled nature, adding another sneaky, functional perk. The edges add some grit, so when I cuff them, the cuff actually stays put. But the rolled edges also look great on their own, giving the sweater an organic, lived-in vibe compared with a top that has more-structured finishes, like a set-in sleeve or a sharp neckline.
I consider this to be the best sweater for coastal vacations (or coastal lifestyles, for those living out my dreams). I could say it’s giving a fisherman-core aesthetic, but that would signal brain rot and reveal that I am, regrettably, chronically online.
Instead, I’ll say this: This sweater reminds me of what an old-school fisherman (or -woman or -person) might wear on a crisp, peaceful morning boating along waves. It’s inherently beach-friendly. You could toss it over a bikini for a walk along the water or don it at a late-night bonfire, so it’s the perfect piece for summer trips.
If I didn’t know the brand of this sweater already, I’d say it looked like it came straight from a vintage J.Crew catalog — with all of the East Coast seaside feels. And with that, you should know, it actually was featured in those vintage catalogs.
