In Praise of the Sweater:
Your Closet’s Wardrobe Workhorse

 

{One sweater, three ways}

Recently, StyleSeek asked me to review the wares of one of their brand partners. I chose a shawl collar sweater from Bonobos, because 1) I love a guy in a good-looking sweater, and 2) I just really like saying the word “bonobos.” Bonobos. Bonobos bonobos bonobos bonobos bonobos. See? Super fun.

I wore the sweater for the plane ride to Wisconsin at Thanksgiving – gotta test drive the material myself, right? I paired it with the leather leggings and sneaks from this picture, topped with a beat-up jean jacket and fur vest over that – an outfit I was actually pretty proud of (so chic! so downtown! so comfortable!), but of course forgot to snap a pic….then proceeded to leave the sweater in Wisconsin when I flew back to NYC. I’m a very forgetful packer. So sue me.

But! While home, I asked my brother and dad how they’d style the oatmeal-colored knit, and thankfully, I managed to remember to even take a few pictures. Below, the lovely men in my life put their own spin on the sweater. I love that my dad paired his with cords (not shown) and a patterned puffer vest in brown, while my brother layered his over a festive plaid button-down and tucked a scarf in the collar.

Check it out:

SG’s DAD!

{my dad – one of the best-dressed guys around}

I like it. And really? Sweaters don’t get enough love in a guy’s closet. They are the workhorse of your wardrobe, but I think a lot of us – men and women alike – take them for granted.

The right sweater can make a suit feel more relaxed, or your weekend bum-around jeans feel more dressy. That’s why every guy needs a good sweater (or four) in his top drawer that makes him feel put-together, no matter what else he has on.

Some things are universal. Like sweaters. I always know that, if I didn’t pack properly, I can steal a sweater from my mom, or my sister, and look great. Same for guys – sweaters are cross-generational. To wit…

SG’s BRO!

{my brother hated having his picture taken, but look at him – he’s a natural!}

 

I know, I know, I’m as disappointed as you are that you don’t get to see it styled my way – I know you’re saying to yourself, “But if only I could see it with leggings and a fur vest; then I’d know just what to do with it!”

But really, there’s only so much you can do with a men’s large sweater before you run out of styling options that are appropriate for anything but brunching with friends and running weekend errands.

Tell me: do you dress your sweaters up or down? What’s your favorite sweater in your closet?

 

{Clothing was provided by StyleSeek for consideration. It doesn’t even do me any good because I’m pretty sure my brother’s lost it by now anyway}

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