I stopped wearing cable knit sweaters shortly after I graduated from boarding school and moved to New York. While they had fit with my environment in a gated prep school, they just seemed stuffy and staid in Manhattan so that white Ralph Lauren cashmere cable knit was tucked into my closet to wait for one day when I might own a country house nestled somewhere in Scotland or Provence (one can dream).
Only recently have I started to notice that cable knit sweaters are making a comeback in more urbane environments. I spotted this lavender Acne number at Opening Ceremony and was surprised by how contemporary it looked. The key to making them work without looking like Mr. Rogers going with exaggerated proportions: Either go for a fashion-forward look by buying an oversized version for a layered Rick Owens style or opt for the updated classic route with a fitted silhouette that ends right below your belt loops.
It’s best to leave out the sport shirt when wearing a cable knit sweater as the pairing can look curmudgeonly. As for a jacket, go for something minimalist: a gray wool/cashmere blazer can work provided the sweater underneath isn’t too bulky.
Acne at Opening Ceremony, $220
