Jane Herman is a Who What Wear editor in residence, the writer of denim-heavy Substack Jane on Jeans, and the founder of the denim clothing company The Only Jane.
Here, let me make it easy for you: jeans and a sweater. Five new standout denim styles that hit the major fit groups—slimmer, straight, flared, bootcut, and barrel—and a cozy, luxurious sweater to match. No tricky styling, no extra layers, nothing else needed to make us look complete (okay, shoes).
Just imagine: Surprise proportions, sweet intarsias, yarns so soft they’re like a curled-up kitten… These are sweaters that fashion people like to call “emotional,” primarily because our reactions to them aren’t always the most measured or rational. Does one need a wooly turtleneck woven into a large-scale purple harlequin, you wonder? To even ask the question is to miss the point.
But I do jeans. So let’s focus on the jeans for a minute because there are some really great ones out there right now, and also, I think vintage Levi’s are still the coolest, so I’m sharing my top three resources here, too. (Total newbies, see Meg Younger at Jean Genie Vintage. She’s mastered the art of buying vintage jeans online and can help you.) Whether you’re a bootcut or barrel person, this edit applies. And though I’ve paired each jean to a certain type of sweater, the truth is anything goes. Follow your heart. Scroll, scroll, and see what clicks (literally). There is no way to go wrong with these great sweaters and jeans.
(Image credit: Courtesy of AG; Aflalo; Buck Mason; Levi’s; The Only Jane)
5 Sweaters to Style With Your Jeans
Collared sweaters—with buttons and without—have the distinct ability to feel dressy and casual, depending on how you style them. I like wearing them open with a crewneck T-shirt underneath (casual) or buttoned all the way up to the top with heavy necklaces (dressy).
Shop:
LOULOU DE SAISON
Homere Cashmere Sweater
B SIDES
Merino Wool Polo Sweater
KHAITE
Herve Cashmere Polo Sweater
j.crew
Brushed Cashmere Rugby Sweater
Jenni Kayne
Cashmere Burke Polo
Style With:
AFLALO
Brontë Jean in Rigid Denim
The tiniest flare makes these jeans especially leg-lengthening. They’re currently on my wish list.
Real Fair Isle sweaters are made on the remote Scottish island of the same name. Characterized by knitted patterns circling the neck and shoulders, this type of sweater is basically synonymous with cozy winter dressing. Wear one with an equally comforting pair of jeans.
Shop:
róhe
Fair Isle Knitted Sweater
COS
Fair Isle Wool-Cashmere Sweater
FAVORITE DAUGHTER
The Snowed in Cardigan
miu miu
Wool Crew-Neck Sweater
Style With:
I love this pair of jeans. It’s soft and easy and looks great with a giant sweater. Inserts along the outseams give the leg its subtle curve. I reach for these every weekend.
(Image credit: @janepageherman)
Cashmere, cotton, wool. Doesn’t matter. You need one—or two—of these to go with everything.
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La Ligne
Solid Marin Sweater
Gap
100% Cotton Oversized Sweater
ALLUDE
Wool and Cashmere-Blend Sweater
&Daughter
Caragh Chunky Crewneck
Style With:
A giant, torso-swallowing turtleneck can function like outerwear in some situations. All of the sweaters here have a dropped shoulder, where the armhole rounds the bicep. Balance all the volume with jeans that are clean, straight, and smart-looking.
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Guest In Residence
Cozy Turtleneck
TOAST
Roll Neck Wool Cashmere Sweater
Style With:
The Only Jane
The Sally Jean in City Blue
These are the jeans I turn to when I want to look a little more polished. They belt beautifully and wear like trousers when paired with heeled boots. (And yes, I designed them, so I may be a bit biased.)
A novelty sweater is one that feels crafty and emotional. I like to think of them as having a handmade vibe—something whimsical. As many of this season’s best options fit a Western-prairie theme, jeans to go with cowboy boots feel best.
DRIES VAN NOTEN
Ribbed Wool Sweater
Loeffler Randall
Idris Intarsia Cardigan
Alex Mill
Molly Hand-Crochet Cardigan
Style With:
Buck Mason
M082 Roper Jean
Modeled after the original Levi’s 517, Buck Mason’s Roper has all the hallmarks of a classic bootcut, which you’ll need for fall’s Western-inspired boots.
