First Fall Must-Haves: Sweater Edition

Behold, my first sweater crushes of the season:

I recently tried on Isabel Marant's cropped, gloriously chunky Quidor sweater and refused to take it off. 

Source: La Garconne

I've also been eyeing the Ouda Wyoming sweater from her Etoile line. The pattern is perfect.

 Source: Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Have you seen these bateau striped cashmere beauties from J. Crew? Love both the caramel and black flax colorways. The silhouette is so very Audrey. Just add gamine, side-swept bangs + slim black cropped pants + ballets.

Source: J.Crew

Craving Cozy Knits: Raquel Allegra, Toast, and North Circular

NYC has frozen over, and I'm gravitating towards all things warm. A few cozies to warm your winter days:

Raquel Allegra Cable Knit Cardi. Loving shawl collared cardis for the ladies, and this color is gorge in mohair.

totokaelo

Raquel Allegra Crop Cable Knit Sweater. Beautiful marled cables and a perfectly slouchy fit.

totokaelo

Toast Astrid Sweater (alas, currently out of stock). Love the extra-long sleeves -- keep hands toasty or scrunch 'em up to reveal a wrist adorned with a delicate bracelet or two. I've been seeing a lot of oversized sweaters paired with longer skirts lately. Seems counterintuitive, but the right combo makes it look anything but grandma. How to pull off?

toast

North Circular Fingerless Mittens. How could you say no to these beauties after reading the description: "Hand knit (and signed) by grannies in the UK from locally shorn and organically raised sheep." And they're unisex.

no. 6

Wardrobe Essentials: Perfect Winter Sweaters

I absolutely detest winter. Just about the only thing that gets me through, besides copious amounts of spiced hot cocoa, is the cozy cold-weather gear I get to pile on. Four sweaters I'm crushing on at the moment:

A lovely herringbone neutral: Built By Wendy Herringbone Loose U, $194.

A chunky striped cardi: Marc by Marc Jacobs Wool-blend cardigan, $330.

The perfect slouchy, marled sweatshirt: Vanessa Bruno Athe's Cropped cotton sweatshirt, $175.

A nubby sweater-tunic: Rag + Bone Greville Sweater, $325.

Photos:
1) www.builtbywendy.com
2-3) www.net-a-porter.com
4) www.lagarconne.com

More from Dunderdon: A Dashing Sweater

Another winner from Dunderdon -- I love the dashed stripe pattern on this crewneck sweater. $165 @FrancesMay.

Photo: www.francesmay.com

From Rachel Comey Cardigans to Viva Vena Dresses, Frances May's Got the Goods

I can't get enough of Portland boutique Frances May these days. Their Fall 2010 picks are all so covetable that I'm glad I live a safe 3,000 miles away, lest I be tempted to stop in and try on these lovely wares. Some pieces I've been eyeing from afar:

Viva Vena by Vena Cava Paper Knife Dress, $187.

Rachel Comey Reversible Cardigan. Perhaps a justifiable expense, considering you get two in one. Black Ostrich on one side, Camel on the other. $364.

Love these Surface to Air Desert Grey Bat Wedges (on sale for $231 but alas, only available in a 41).

Photos: www.francesmay.com

J. Lindeberg's Spring Essentials: Ethan, Ives, and Travis

Boys, I'll try not to forget you as the shows steal my attention during Fashion Week. I will distractedly post some menswear finds for you while I'm in the grips of the mania that takes hold of the internet's fashion-minded populace twice a year.


Lucky for you, Tobi just got in a new shipment of J. Lindeberg and it's looking very, very good. Three pieces to covet for Spring:

1. A red-tipped cardi to keep you toasty til summer. J. Lindeberg Ethan Cardigan, $190.

2. A lightweight sweater with an electric stripe. J. Lindeberg Ives V-Neck Sweater, $160.

3. A windbreaker to fend off any lingering chill. J. Lindeberg Travis Jacket in Dark Blue, $205.

The contrast lining inside the collar is a nice little detail.

Photos: www.tobi.com

Hibernation Essentials: Oversize Knits

Oh, my. I could just crawl into this enormous, chunky sweater, let it absorb me, and never come out. Do not knock on my cardigan house until it's springtime. Thanks.

Chunky hoodie knit cardigan, $156 @ Pixie Market.

 

 

Photos: www.pixiemarket.com

Opening Ceremony Sale Picks

If you weren't willing to brave the wraparound line outside the Opening Ceremony sample sale in freezing cold temps and gale-force winds this weekend, fret not -- you can save an additional 20% off sale items for the remainder of the weekend without having to abandon that fireside cup of hot cocoa. Some pieces to snatch up:

Boy by Band of Outsiders Cropped Shirt, $132 (originally $235) when you enter code WEEKEND20 at checkout.

 

Sabatino Poor Boy Knit, $140 (originally $250) with code.

 

Men's Heather Grey Turtleneck Cardigan, $156.80 (originally $280) with code.

Betsey Johnson Archives Peplum Skirt, $109.60 (originally $195) with code.

Photo credit: www.openingceremony.us

Menswear Obsession: Perfect Striped Sweaters from Vince

Whether it's thick, medium, or skinny stripes that strike your fancy, Vince has mastered the art of the striped sweater to perfection. Luxe knits, quality construction, and a clean aesthetic make them standouts, and the fact that they can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion pretty much guarantees heavy rotation.

Coincidentally, the prices among my selections seem to correspond to the size of the stripe.

Vince Stripe Crewneck Sweater, $245 @ Nordstrom.

Vince Striped Reverse Stitch Sweater, $195 @ Barneys.

 

Vince Double Layer Stripe Sweater, $175 @ Zoe.

 

Photo credit:
1) www.nordstrom.com
2-3) www.barneys.com
4-5) www.shopzoeonline.com

New Fall Cozies from A.OK

My umbrella and I have had a rough day.  I'm sitting here, bitterly clutching a cup of hot cocoa and trying to psych myself up for several more months of this. Oak has just what I need.

Start off the season with something soft and snuggly. Smooth Company Black Steamer Terry Jacket, $99.

Lumberjack chic lives to see yet another season. People's Market Red/Black Dazed Check Jacket, $215.

The shawl collar has turned from passing trend into mainstay, so get used to it. This Shades of Greige Dark Grey Bricks Shawl Collar Cardi is a nice introduction for reluctant fellars. $224. 

Photo credit: www.oaknyc.com

And Sweater Season Begins

My search for perfect striped sweaters ends here.  Heart both of these.


Crossley Stripe L/S Scoop in Navy, $166 @ Otte.

Obey Wishing Well V-Neck Sweater, $78 @ 80's Purple.

Photo credit: 
1) www.otteny.com
2) www.80spurple.com