5 Fall Sweater Trends We’ll Be Wearing on Repeat in 2026

Temperatures are dropping, which means sweater weather is finally here. And while we all have knits we can’t wait to wear year after year, following fall’s biggest sweater trends can help breathe some new life into your seasonal wardrobe. No closet is complete without a few standout sweaters, after all.

So what knitwear will we be wearing on repeat this autumn? According to the 2026 color trends, red knits are getting replaced with royal purple ones. And all that talk about horse-girl fashion has led to a rise in preppy sweaters, including cable-knit, argyle, and polos. Crewnecks and cardigans aren’t going anywhere, but they’re making space for a third trendy silhouette on the rack: the half-zip sweater. The style made heads turn at the Chanel Métiers d’Art show and has been rising in popularity ever since. Shop our editors’ top fall sweater trends below before they inevitably sell out.

1. Nordic knits

The last few years saw a rise in après-ski fashion, particularly thick wool knits with Fair Isle motifs. Temperatures are dropping quickly, which means it’s time to bring them out of storage and style them for fall. If Nordic-inspired patterns feel too maximalist, then a simple cable-knit sweater works in their place. We recommend opting for wool and cashmere knits, as these will keep you properly protected from the cold.

2. Royal purple

The surprise newcomer of 2026? Purple. It’s too soon to say whether the hue is here to replace or to work in tandem with red, the It color of seasons past. But the color looks delicious in sweater form, especially when styled over a leather pencil skirt or with other striking colors. Fall’s somewhat spooky backdrop is the perfect time to test out the color, and we found plenty of purple sweaters to try the trend with below.

3. Preppy polos

Again, preppy style is a major influence this season, and few fit the theme as well as the classic polo collar. Rendering the rugby shirt, an Ivy League staple, in knits both elevates and softens the piece and transforms it into something you’ll actually want to throw on before you step out. Style your pick with straight-leg jeans, pleated skirts, or loose khakis to drive the academic vibe home; you can also wear a button-down shirt underneath for some trendy double-collar action.

4. Age of argyle

The argyle sweater, yet another Ivy touchstone of yore, has officially been resurrected. So many of our favorite labels, including Khaite, Altuzarra, Ferragamo, and Proenza Schouler, showed some variation of the piece for fall, sending it right to the top of our wish lists. And now that it’s finally time to start layering, these retro-cute picks are pretty much no-brainers, especially for anyone who works in an office.

5. Half-zips

Interest in half-zip and quarter-zip sweaters is on the rise, thanks to the Chanel Métiers d’Art show. What was once part of practical sportswear has evolved into something all the stylish It girls want to own. Its appeal lies in its laid-back silhouette and ability to layer over basics like a white T-shirt, as shown above. It somehow manages to look preppy and sporty, yet casual and elegant at the same time, making it a wardrobe must-have for fall.