Listen, I see your “summer isn’t over until September 22” posts and I get it, we all love summer. We love the sun and we love the fresh flowers and we love the warmth and we love the spontaneous hangs.
But at what cost! Summer with kids is different than summer before kids (as I’ve said). There are still sleep regressions and statements of “I’m bored” and tears before camp, and all the while, you’ve still got that work deadline.
Don’t come for me, but I am ready to move on. I’m over the humidity, over the chaos that’s ruled my life for three months. I’m ready for school and apples and for my windows to be open for 24 hours.
September and October are my favorite months, when the mornings are cool and the days are perfect for activities galore. I’m not here to suggest we buy a pumpkin tomorrow, but I’ll be darned if I’m not looking forward to some light fall attire.
Because no article of clothing delights me more than a sweater, and in particular for the transition from summer to fall: a cotton sweater.
Which is maybe why I found myself reaching for one all week at our family’s lake house in Northern Michigan (truly the best), even in the thick of July. Mornings “Up North” (as we Michiganders call it) already have that bite I’m craving first thing in the morning. Evenings too, once the sun starts dropping and the wind picks up off the water. It’s basically a preview of the season to come, and a cotton sweater is what I want on for it.
I feel the cotton sweater is a wardrobe workhorse. Here’s why.
A cashmere sweater, you baby. You hand wash it, you fold it a certain way, you think twice before wearing it near a toddler or a glass of red wine. It pills and requires maintenance. It also can be itchy, requiring a tank underneath, and not to mention, hot.
A cotton sweater, in contrast, doesn’t ask any of that of you. Throw it in the wash with your towels. Wear it to the lake, wear it to bed, wear it while you’re elbow deep in a dinner that’s about to end in an olive oil stain. It can take it.
But a cotton sweater doesn’t need to stop there, no. It can be an alternative to a sweatshirt on any given occasion. And trust me, I love my sweatshirts, but damn if I don’t feel more elevated in a cotton sweater.
Try this: next time you’re reaching for a hoodie because it’s easy and you don’t want to think about it, reach for a cotton sweater instead. To pilates. To the coffee shop. To school dropoff. To the couch to watch Bravo. Same effort, same risk-averse factor, but just ever-so-elevated.
And in this (IMO perfect) season we have upcoming, you will need layers. You will need, dare I say it: a cotton sweater.
P.S. For those of you who like to see everything in one place, the full selection is here.
You can never have too many cotton sweaters, and these are the ones that are currently in my closet. (Plus I have a couple more listed below on the way…oops!) The iconic J.Crew Rollneck is the one that gave me the idea for this post last month at the lake (I have two of them, one navy and one gray). I take my normal size for the perfect oversized fit for my body. If I were taller (I’m 5’5”), I might size up once. I also have two La Ligne cotton sweaters: the Marina and the Mini Marina (ARIANE10 for a little discount). Both are in regular rotation and you can often find them secondhand too (like here and here). Cadets came out with a rolled hem cardigan this year that is truly divine and such a great alternative to the Alex Mill one (which is not 100% cotton!). As I type this, it is on major sale, so do as you must! I went with the Small. You can also match your littles since it comes in kid sizing too — CUTE! Lastly, I just snagged this perfect Demylee one over the weekend and if you go quickly, you may be able to get it too, for 50% off. It’s perfectly oversized, I’m in the XS above. The black has very limited sizes left, but ofc you can’t go wrong with the white either and there is a pink too.
Shockingly, I don’t own everyone’s favorite oversized cotton sweater by Gap, but I feel it is bound to happen by the time I finish this post. They sold out last year, so if you want in, act quickly, as they just came back in stock and are currently 40% off. Pal Christina Tumminello advised me to go with my normal size for the perfect oversized fit. There’s also a cropped version, ps! I love the look of Donni’s V-neck version if you want a splurge (more colors here). I’ve heard great things about Sézane’s one-size-fits-all Virgil jumper from Janelle Taylor and they just came out with some new colors for this fall (the spring ones sold out, so this is another one to hop to if you’ve been eyeing). I’m into the vintage vibes of the washed-out color on this one too.
For a slimmer cut cotton sweater, I’ve heard excellent things about this one from Maura Brannigan (I do believe her exact wording was that people have been mistaking it for Toteme?!) and this one from my friend Katherine who always has the best recs. (and I’ve seen it on her in person and can confirm). Of course, I had to include this classic too.
In my mind, stripes and 100% cotton go together like milk and cookies. You’ve got your classic stripes, your fun stripes, and your retro stripes. Can’t go wrong! As aforementioned, I have two of the La Ligne striped lovelies.
Last, but certainly not least, the cotton cardigan. You already know I own and love this one (same goes for my 2yo). This one is en route to me (I’ve heard to go for the Petite sizing even if you’re not Petite if you want it to sit at your waistband). I also have been admiring the Alex Mill sport one here and would love it as a set (!). I’ve seen this one in person and it’s lovely — the perfect boxy, but not too boxy shape. And I’m obsessed with the buttons on this one. This is so cute meets sexy too. And I ran out of room above, but this one has been on my wishlist forever!
So go forth, my loves! Get yourself a cotton sweater, or two. You can thank me later. And if you don’t hear from me next week, it’s because I’m trying to be a fun, spontaneous mom before summer’s end. School starts the 31st! But who’s keeping track? :)
xx Ariane
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