Fruits of the Loom

The enduring appeal-and astounding new versatility of the humble sweater.

- Max Berlinger

THE WIDELY ACCEPTED law governing men’s fashion is that autumn is the most stylish time of year. Summer, winter and spring are about dressing to accommodate the respective extremes of heat, cold and rain; autumn, on the other hand, with its mild temperatures, is the Goldilocks season: just right.

But autumn’s sartorial supremacy is also due in no small part to the beauty of knitwear. And before you mutter that you don’t need us to tell you how useful your cashmere collection is, we’re talking Sweater 2.0 here. No doubt in reaction to the pandemic-spurred trend of all things comfy-luxe, brands both new and established have come with a staggering spectrum of styles for autumn 2023, from the sumptuous, offhanded sprezzatura of Los Angelesbased Italian designer (and Brunello Cucinelli alum) Davide Baroncini to knitting cooperative Flamborough Marine’s hard-wearing, hand-knit fisherman sweaters. Make no mistake: right now, a statement sweater is the key to a stylish season.

It’s why Warren Alfie Baker, a stylist in Los Angeles who dresses dapper gents such as Andrew Garfield, Patrick Dempsey and Richard Madden, loves them for clients—and for himself. “I have a beautiful Brioni knit in a chocolate brown that soothes my soul,” he says. “It’s just a great colour to pair with everything. But I also have a bright red Ami cardigan that’s a little oversized and is a statement—it’s my happy piece.” Baker also name-checks Zegna and Brunello as other go-tos. “Zegna has an array of beautiful colours and lightweight fabrics, while Brunello’s cashmere sweaters are just so chic; tossing one over your shoulder for an evening dinner is superb.”