Cheryl Shops

I went to Ireland for the first time three years ago, and if you've never been, I highly recommend it. It's a gorgeous country, the food was surprisingly good, the beer was even better, and the people were the kindest I've ever met on vacation. But of all the things that pleasantly surprised me on that trip, I was perhaps most blown away by the sweaters. Which makes sense, because there are sheep literally everywhere in Ireland—you've got to do something with all that wool, so why knot knit a sweater or several thousand? Ireland introduced Aran sweaters to the world—the cable-knit patterns are meant to evoke fishermen's ropes, hence why they're also known as fisherman sweaters—and Grace Kelly really put them on the map by famously wearing one on the cover of Vogue. Like most things associated with Princess Grace, a fisherman sweater is a classic that never goes out of style, but they seem to be especially trending this season, possibly because of their extra coziness and comfort in these up-and-down times. And while I've featured an Aran knit here before (way back in 2018), this time it's the real deal, straight from Ireland. Here's how I'm styling my fisherman sweater. 

Happy new year, dear readers! I've been traveling and not working for the last week and a half, which has put me into that weird state of mind where I'm not sure exactly what day of the week it is or where I'm supposed to be. And while I enjoyed my time off, I have high hopes for 2018 and am excited to tackle a lot of new things in 2018. That said, one of my pet peeves is "new year, new you." I am all for making resolutions—as you'll see, I'll be sharing several of my own here over the next few weeks—but you don't need to totally reinvent yourself. Just do you. A better version of you, maybe, but still you. Which brings us to this week's outfit, starring one of my favorite sweaters, the classic ivory cable knit.


A cable-knit fisherman sweater is so classic and cozy, and for the next few months, I'll pretty much be living in one. This particular sweater is from last year's Madwell collaboration with Sézane, although Madwell pretty much makes the same one every year—the one linked below is a very close approximation. Obviously, you can wear it with jeans, but I decided it dress it up a bit for a stroll down one of my favorite streets in San Francisco, Maiden Lane.

As you may have guessed by now, there's a preppy undercurrent running through this season's Fall Shopping Guide. This is kind of a full-circle situation for me: the suburban Chicago area where I grew up was incredibly preppy, and while I rebelled against it in my youth, I've found myself gravitating toward the classics as I age. Appropriately, preppy influences turned up all over the fall runways, but often in interesting ways. Isabel Marant, for example, took the preppy-classic fisherman sweater and paired it with more fashion-forward elements like tribal-patterned jeans. Marant's version is the primary inspiration for this post, although, as you'll see, there are more fashion-forward versions out there, as well as very similar classics for a lot less.

$$$
Show me a woman who does not love Isabel Marant and I will show you a liar. Okay, maybe not quite, but, really, I don't know anyone who doesn't love her effortless cool-bohemian separates. I say effortless, because you can even wear a head-to-toe look by her and not look like you're trying too hard (or trying at all). Everything that she sends down the runway, I want instantly, hence this post. I probably have not worn a fisherman sweater since I was seven, and yet now I want this one so badly. It's not too bulky or boxy or literal; it's just right.

Joseph Altuzarra is one of the most-watched up-and-coming New York designers; the fact that he took a fisherman sweater—and a turtleneck version at that—and made it undeniably sexy proves he's worthy of the hype.

Brooks Brothers, a preppy staple, seems a pretty obvious place to find a fisherman sweater, but this one by their Thom Browne-designed Black Fleece line takes it to another level with mother-of-pearl buttons and grosgrain trim.

$$
The Brits tend to call fisherman sweater aran knits; this style from, yes, Burberry's Brit line, is a sleeker, streamlined version, with a hint of cashmere for extra luxe.

Haute Hippie's fisherman sweater refines the classic with feminine pointelle stitching along the sleeves and in merino wool, which will likely be quite a bit softer than the usual lambswool.

Cut25's version makes it a bit more fashion-forward with chic dolman sleeves and leather trim at the neckline. This is a great option for those who don't want to look too traditional; it's younger and more fun.


$
J.Crew seems like a pretty obvious place to find a fisherman sweater; ironically, I found this one not on their own site but on Net-A-Porter. Still, it's probably the most similar to the Isabel Marant style above, and at $98, it's a pretty smart buy.

Even more wallet-friendly is Topshop's aran cable sweater, now on sale for just $50. According to the reviews, it has a rather boxy cut, but I'd be more concerned about its nearly all-acrylic fabric content than anything else.

Confession: I love the Land's End Canvas catalogue. When I saw this sweater in the most recent version, I ripped out the page so I wouldn't forget to order it. I love how traditional and boyish it looks, but a word to the wise: this line runs huge, so size down at least once. Still, there is something incredibly comforting about a slouchy, cozy fit.