Why Is Everyone Tying Sweaters Over Their Coats?

 Christian Vierig/Getty Images.
Christian Vierig/Getty Images.

There are street style trends you expect to see when heading into a Fall/Winter season at New York Fashion Week. Shearling coats, maybe, or perhaps corduroy suits. Sweaters fall into this category, too, but the knitwear I saw outside the Fall/Winter 2024 shows is not the the knitwear I recognize from my half-decade of attending fashion week. No, the sweater styling this season is just plain unconventional.

They're being tied around the necks of fashion insiders like cable-knit cashmere scarves. They're being worn as belts. They're being layered, one over the top of the other, without a coat or jacket. In one case, a sweater was worn not around the neck, but over the actual arms of an overcoat. In another, a knit was tied diagonally across an attendee's body. Even Sofia Richie-Grainge got in on the trend while attending the Tommy Hilfiger show by wearing a cream-colored knit across the shoulders of her trench coat.

While I admire the drive to wear sweaters like they've never been worn before, I have one question for the group: Is anyone considering the damage all this knotting could do to the shape of your sweater's poor sleeves? I'm scared to hang my cashmere in a closet, let alone tie it in a knot across my torso. Regardless, I trust fashion's best-dressed to not lead me astray. Is this a puzzling fashion week street-style trend or a call to re-think the most fundamental piece in my winter wardrobe as the cold weather reaches its end? I'm erring on the side of the latter. Here's to bringing insouciance back to winter style.

Ahead, I've rounded up some of the best (and most out-of-the-box) ways sweaters have been styled over New York Fashion Week. Let this be your inspiration to forgo a coat altogether as the tricky transitional weather period begins. Maybe a sweater is more versatile than I previously thought.

Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Contrast Trim Cable Sweater
Contrast Trim Cable Sweater

Mango Contrast Trim Cable Sweater

Grace Cable Stitch Sweater
Grace Cable Stitch Sweater

Noisy May Grace Cable Stitch Sweater

Jade Tillman Belmes/Getty Images
Jade Tillman Belmes/Getty Images
JCrew Sweater
JCrew Sweater

J.Crew Cashmere classic-fit crewneck sweater

Willow Relaxed Wool & Cashmere Sweater
Willow Relaxed Wool & Cashmere Sweater

Michael Stars Willow Relaxed Wool & Cashmere Sweater

Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Banana Republic
Banana Republic

Banana Republic Mona Oversized Wool-Cotton Sweater

Tara knitted sweater
Tara knitted sweater

Proenza Schouler White Label Tara Knitted Sweater

Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
L.L Bean Double L® Cable Sweater
L.L Bean Double L? Cable Sweater

L.L Bean Double L? Cable Sweater

Quince 100% Organic Cotton Cropped Cable Crew Sweater
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Cropped Cable Crew Sweater

Quince 100% Organic Cotton Cropped Cable Crew Sweater

Rob Kim/Getty Images
Rob Kim/Getty Images
Nordstrom
Nordstrom

Rib Organic Cotton & Merino Wool Sweater

 Guest in Residence
Guest in Residence

Guest In Residence Oversized Crew

Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Reformation Anna Cotton Crewneck Sweater
Reformation Anna Cotton Crewneck Sweater

Reformation Anna Cotton Crewneck Sweater

& Other Stories
& Other Stories

& Other Stories Mock Neck Merino Sweater

Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Oversize Wool & Cashmere Sweater
Oversize Wool & Cashmere Sweater

Nordstrom Oversize Wool & Cashmere Sweater

Tory Burch
Tory Burch

Tory Burch Logo Button Wool Cardigan

Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
Sezane Dita Jumper
Sezane Dita Jumper

Sezane Dita Jumper

+ NET SUSTAIN Glenn wool turtleneck sweater
+ NET SUSTAIN Glenn wool turtleneck sweater

&DAUGHTER + NET SUSTAIN Glenn wool turtleneck sweater

Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Banana Republic Factory Oversized Textured Sweater (Was $100)
Banana Republic Factory Oversized Textured Sweater (Was $100)

Banana Republic Factory Oversized Textured Sweater (Was $100)

Boden Split Cuff Cashmere Sweater
Boden Split Cuff Cashmere Sweater

Boden Split Cuff Cashmere Sweater

Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)
Selene brushed-wool sweater
Selene brushed-wool sweater

Toteme Selene Brushed-Wool Sweater

Dolman Sleeve Sweater
Dolman Sleeve Sweater

Vince Dolman Sleeve Sweater

Jade Tillman Belmes/Getty Images
Jade Tillman Belmes/Getty Images
Pink
Pink

Paloma Wool Pink 'Baby' Sweater

Knit Sweater Cardigan
Knit Sweater Cardigan

English Factory Knit Sweater Cardigan

Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Enza Costa Cropped Mock Neck Sweater
Enza Costa Cropped Mock Neck Sweater

Enza Costa Cropped Mock Neck Sweater

PISTOLA Ren All Day Sweater
PISTOLA Ren All Day Sweater

PISTOLA Ren All Day Sweater

Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Allsaints
Allsaints

AllSaints Lock Rolled Neck Asymmetric Sweater

Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Cashmere Mockneck Sweater

Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Brooks Brothers Supima® Cotton Cardigan
Brooks Brothers Supima? Cotton Cardigan

Brooks Brothers Supima? Cotton Cardigan

Madewell
Madewell

Madewell Alpaca Blend Mock Neck Sweater (Was $75)

Sweaters NYFW
Sweaters NYFW
La Ligne Solid Marin Sweater
La Ligne Solid Marin Sweater

La Ligne Solid Marin Sweater

The Alpaca Crew
The Alpaca Crew

Everlane The Alpaca Crew