The Best Black Sweaters

Building your uniform with a wardrobe staple.

Jan 24, 2024

This week is a guide to finding the perfect black sweater(s) for you. Breaking it down by style, composition & fit, and styling ideas for how and where to wear them.

High Sport Cable Knit, Toteme Belt, Pheobe Philo Trousers (great alternative here), Loewe Bag - one available on Poshmark- great get! Also love this similar style from Savette.

Pulled Together with a High V-Neck

Toteme double faced sweater- this is old but love this Toteme alpaca version, Khaite Jeans, Silk Laundry Shirt, Metier Bag, Gucci Loafer Boots

I have been noticing this neckline pop up everywhere and I really like the styling options it offers. The higher v- neck is great with a tee shirt poking out, a shorter chain necklace, a turtleneck, or as I am wearing above, with a button down.

Clockwise from top left: &Daughter which you may recognize from my previous post which I wore a similar style in grey. 100% lambswool and you can see the hand finished details with the beautiful chunky collar and cuffs. Khaite Cocoon. I love this voluminous shape. The stitching along the neckline and because it is 100% cashmere make it worth the price. Cos boiled wool cropped sweater. Love with a button down underneath and the green shade as well.

Tried & True Thin Knit

L to R: Old Toteme (great alt here and below), Khaite belt & Pheobe Philo Trousers. Very old, amazing find Uniqlo J+ sweater, same Khaite belt, and a Cos skirt I have worn for years and is still available! The Row fisherman shoe. Everlane Polo knit, Old Celine Pants (I think I’d actually prefer the High Sport here though) and Gucci loafers.

My most worn sweater style since I can remember. I like to tuck thin sweaters in to nip my waist. I pair them with anything and everything including loose trousers, A-line skirts, or dark jeans.

Toteme Ribbed Wool Top - 100% wool, ribbed with extra long sleeves , Khaite Joey Polo Sweater,- slightly more relaxed but still slim enough to tuck in (even if you aren’t wearing shearling pants), I love Joey’s collar shape. Ralph Lauren Rib Knit Polo Cardigan - Love a slim cardigan that you can tuck in- very polished.

Turtleneck, Texture, & Three Different Shapes

High Sport Cable Knit, Attersee Navy Trousers, Toteme Faux Fur Flats (now sold out but really love these ones!)

Because I live in Los Angeles a turtleneck has not been in heavy rotation. But last week when I cleaned out my closet and realized I didn’t even own one, so I went on the hunt. I found this High Sport cable knit that feels a little more special and is cotton knit -so not too hot to wear on our mildly chilly LA days. I love how the cable knit feels like a textural element with straight leg trousers.

COS - I love the thumbholes at the cuffs, this is 100% cashmere so the fit will be relaxed. Toteme- slightly oversized shape, I like that turtleneck isn’t super tight around the neck. 90% wool/10% cashmere. &Daughter - this shrunken silhouette feels new. Love it paired with high waisted trousers and that it is 100% wool- will keep its cute silhouette.

Oversized & Effortless

All The Row Ophelia Sweater. Paired with L to R: Proenza Schouler White Label leather trousers, Alaia ballet flats (Le Monde Beryl double strap style I love too), G. Label by Goop black skirt, Toteme barrel leg jeans, The Row sandals (new version here).

The Row’s Ophelia sweater has been in heavy rotation for me since 2014. I have it in a few colors, and I wear it ALL THE TIME. It’s oversized but holds its shape, soft but doesn’t pill, comfortable but polished. I have never regretted purchasing because I get my price per wear and then some. As for all below- I love the chunky collars and cuffs.

Top Row: The Row Ophelia sweater, Bottom Row: L to R: H&M - 90% wool/10% cashmere. This sweater in person looks great. Lisa Yang 100% cashmere knit. that’s a lot of cashmere for this shape. A little bit less oversized than the Ophelia but same dropped shoulder. I imagine this sweater is VERY soft. La Ligne- great value for quality. Also how cute to monogram it with your initials in navy (they offer that!). 70% wool/30% cashmere.

Boyfriend, Mid-Weight & To Wear Everywhere

Raey boyfriend sweater, High Sport Pants, Goldie Tee Shirt, Toteme Suede boots, Metier Weekend Bag (these dark tones on this one are stunning) and Metier bucket bag on my table- love this new green color! .

This sweater is truly a chameleon. I wear it for travel, work, weekend, and a casual dinner. If it happens to be at the dry cleaner when I am about to get on a plane, I panic, I don’t know what else to wear- so now I have two. It is perfect to throw over a tee shirt en route, pack in your carry-on, and wear it to dinner once you land.