What are you wearing these days? Recently, I’ve been spotting women around town wearing lightweight polo-style sweaters, and I’m into the whole vibe. They look effortlessly cool with jeans, and a collar somehow makes everyone’s face look extra gorgeous. Here are five everyday versions: red, ribbed, cashmere, oversized, and short sleeve.
Thoughts? Would you wear one? They’d be cute with a necklace, too.
P.S. A hair tuck, and what’s something you splurged on?
I found a perfect Le Bon Shoppe polo sweater (the “Nanette Sweater”, which I don’t think they make anymore- BOO) in a consignment shop last year and wore it to death through the fall and winter. Perfect plane sweater. Sister Katie made a beautiful one too (on sale): https://shopsisterkatie.com/products/the-diana-polo.
The red one is beautiful. Does anyone have this? Know how it fits?
The Target sweater comes in my favorite color, purple. I may have to buy it. Thank you for showing something budget-friendly. The clothes I’ve bought from Target last for years, but I don’t put them in a dryer.
Thank you for this seasonal reminder that just because my 8 year old son and I can wear the same size, doesn’t mean we should. I’m 5’8” and my husband’s 6’4” and my son is at my shoulders now! I am wearing one of his sweatshirts right now! It’s a little short in the sleeves but I kind of like that.
Regardless, thanks for reminding me to dress also like a grownup woman sometimes. That’s what I am and I do like dressing like one.
(PS: when do we stop wearing zip up hoodies if you are 39 this year?)
56, still wearing hoodies–but my fave is a persimmon-hued cashmere number that I thrifted. Zero shame about my old grey cotton one, though.
Maine – it has finally turned Fall-line here. Thank God.
I love this style and could use a new camel sweater! That reformation one is tempting me
WHO?? who is wearing sweaters?? it’s still 1000 degrees!! I want to know WHERE people are wearing sweaters on the streets! I’ll wait….(and i do come here for fashion advice! i’m a 54 year old mother to a high schooler and i can’t be looking frumpy!)
I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I’m in Phoenix and have already broken out the sweaters (though not for extended periods outside). When it’s 118 degrees outside, it’s 68 degrees inside. Stores, office buildings, doctor’s offices blast the A/C… I carry a sweater everywhere year-round. Now that it’s “down to 100 degrees,” I wear sweaters when I will be indoors and the drive is less than 20 minutes. After 35 years here, I have maintaining optimal temperature down to an art.
I had the same question.
It’s been rainy and cooler here in Philly and I IMMEDIATELY put on a sweatshirt. It was a little warm when I walked the dog in the afternoon, but the nightime walk was delightful. :)
It’s been over 100 degrees this week in Northern CA!
RIGHT?! I live in NYC and I am certainly not seeing this (or any other sweater for that matter) “all over NYC”.
Maine. It has finally turned Fall-like here. We wear sweaters all year long. We have refreshingly cool summer nights.
I bought 4 last year! haha. I’m petite with big boobs and that style minimizes that area.
Long shot request here!
I’m planning a solo visit to NYC the week of October 16th and am having a hard time finding a place to stay.
Wanted to see if any CoJ readers happen to be looking for a house/cat/plant sitter for a few days that week? I’m a very responsible 30-something professional just looking to enjoy the art and food in the city!
Thanks for any leads <3
Check out Trusted House Sitters, a great website to find housesitting jobs all over the world. If that fails- the Jane Hotel is my NY go-to, style on a budget.
Thank you Lynea! I booked a few nights at the Jane.
Oh, I second The Jane! Amazing location. I stayed there the very first time New York and I met. It was fantastic. I’ll always have lovely memories of it. Hope you have a great time when you go!
Love this style, so easy going for everyday wear.
Best of all, I often come across it in vintage or second hand shops! Check the mens section for them too!
Still too warm for jumpers here but I’m very ready!
As a lifelong vintage lover, this is a silhouette I can get behind – but preference to actual vintage, or at least secondhand. 😃 Always hoping to see more on the site that reflects the buying preferences of folks like me! 🤞 I do appreciate, though, how new shops are more likely to partner with you guys – you deserve a living wage – and I get some thrifting inspiration in the process.
Yes to all the above! I find many of the fashion posts on this site inspiring/interesting, but rarely (never?) do I click to buy. Still, makes for fun thrifting with new inspiration and I can re-examine my closet with a fresh eye for pairings :)
May I request a “what on earth are we doing for jeans these days?” post? Skinnies are ages ago. I’m so over cropped ankle jeans– I can’t take one more cold-ankled winter! I have been seeing carpenter jeans, but I think I’d look like Bob Vila. Are we wearing “boyfriend” jeans? Have we abandoned stretch in all of its forms? What is a 44 year old mom who swears she’s still kinda hip to dooooooooo?
I love wearing my cropped ankle jeans with boots underneath! Solves the gap problem and looks so nice! Mine jeans have a wide enough leg that boots fit comfortably underneath
Yes!
I second this request!
Haha right there with you! This 45-year-old mom is going through the same conundrum. I even bought some very wide leg jeans that border on baggy, but add a few barrettes and I feel like I’m raving like it’s 1995. I like my barrel-style pants, they feel easier to modernize. My slim, straight-leg jeans are a safe bet but seem too close to skinny…
Mid/high rise, straight leg! I prefer no stretch but I’m sure that’s preference. Classic, hard wearing I found a pair from from Weekday called the Voyage and I now buy them second hand on eBay when I need a new pair or new colour way. I have a few in the shorter cut for ankle length and then the normal full length too.
Levi’s straight wedgies!!&
Would love a post like this! I see the youths of today wearing styles that I just cannot pull off – so how do us 40 somethings still look hip without looking like we’re trying to dress like a 25 year old!?!
Co-sign!
Would love to see jeans on various body types too—stick-thin models look cool in baggy jeans, but not sure how I’m supposed to look in them as a middle-aged mom!
I’m in my 30s but a wfh mom of two small kids. I don’t own these specific jeans- but I have a similar pair. This full-length, somewhere between straight and wide-leg style is what makes me feel most current right now.
I also have a pair of slim straight jeans (almost skinny) that are a really good fit. I feel like a great fit almost makes up some missing style points for me.
Yes! I have been pregnant and/or nursing for the past 5 1/2 years (!!) and just had my third and final babe. I have been all the sizes and am soon to settle into my new normal size. I would love a post on jeans and some versatile (comfy & cute) outfit ideas! Skinny jeans were the only way to go five years ago — help a mama out! :)
46-year-old mom whose younger, hip sister says you can do whatever you want in jeans at this time! And it’s true, when I consciously look at people’s jeans out and about, they are wearing anything.
relaxed fit at whatever rise your prefer!
Seconding this request! Has there been a post on this yet? Need something that I can pull off and that will help me move on from the skinny jeans in my closet.
I’ve definitely got my eyes on some bootleg and flare jeans for fall! Probably from Madewell. Too bad the old designer jeans I kept from the early 2000’s don’t fit me anymore!
Yes, please! This is much needed.
45 here, never gave birth and step children are adults, but still walking that line not knowing what best jeans are! Currently wearing a pair of skinny that I literally just swore to myself this morning will remain in my closet for boot season, but otherwise the other skinny pairs need to be donated and replaced with … what??
I’m struggling to let go of my skinnies… but I’m hoping to do some straight leg Levi Wedgies this fall (more modern than skinnies and kind of vintage feeling but alas, the ankles) and some wide leg jeans (not baggy, not flare, I’m not cool enough to attempt that yet, but still an interesting different shape). Thank you for raising this important topic. :)
I’ve also been struggling with jeans, and my hip friend introduced me to Warp + Weft! They’re sustainably made, size inclusive, reasonably priced, and they have frequent sales. I just ordered my first pair from their warehouse sale (I got the ASE high rise straight) and they come today! Veryyy excited to give them a go and hoping they make me like jeans again.
Super specific but I’m on the hunt for a mid-calf sweater knit skirt with enough stretch to use with a pregnancy bump for a little while at least. Black, prefer natural materials. But I’m striking out everywhere. The waist can’t be banded – must also be knit for the stretch. Ideas?
Maria, try Banana Republic Factory! There’s a black knit cotton skirt that is shown with a matching cardigan that looks like it could be great for a variety of situations and body shapes 😊
I have this one that I love as it’s not too clingy! Not sure if this is the silhouette you’re looking for but one reviewer was pregnant and said it worked great https://www.nordstrom.com/s/nordstrom-rib-long-sleeve-midi-sweater-dress/5944245?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=270
Oops, this is a dress, not a skirt! Maybe still a win though? Good luck and congrats :)
Not here to self promote but read your comment and I have a few knit skirts on my vintage Instagram @mountain_vintagenc …a lovely white one and a great red one with fringe.
I just ordered this dress because I heard it was a nice heavy weight and was shocked at how nice it felt for $40! It was super flattering too and I thought a nice chic length! Comes in a bunch of different colors and had a really nice stretch to it! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08N14QYCM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bleu Salt is the answer!!!
Sporty, elegant, pulled together. Big easy YES. I bought an oversized one last month & can’t wait for cooler temps.
Another item of clothing that’s popular that reminds me of the late 90s. I wore a sweater like this in college. Everywhere I turn these days, I’m like, um, I wore something like that in high school/college. I can’t wear any of it again. Just too strange for me. I don’t feel like going back in time.
Yes! The other day I passed a rack of track jackets at target that looked *exactly* like one I had in hs. There’s one major change though – this time around, we get to see them modeled on a variety of different body shapes, instead of just ultra thin waifs. I find that refreshing, and kind of healing, tbh.
same same!
YES! This is me too. I’ll look at something and think to myself, I wore this in high school/I owned a version of this before. It’s too weird and I can’t justify buying TWICE!
This is how trends have always worked, they cycle in every 20 years, repeat forever. Once you’re 80, you might have a the privilege of seeing stuff come back around for the THIRD time! It’s not really “going back in time” so much as the reality that there’s nothing truly new under the sun, so everything is a new take on something old.
I had so many sweaters like this from Express! Wore them all through high school/college.
Not to brag or anything, but I’ve been rocking sweaters like this for years! B-)
And to the commenter who said this gives “mustachioed 70’s dad” vibes…um, yes!? Except is IS in a good way. Team polo sweater!
I love the fashion posts. They are great; also love the book posts! Sometimes I want things to be light on the blog. Life can be heavy and overwhelming! It’s nice to have a light day on the blog so thanks Jo!
Banana Republic has a polo sweater line and they are gorgeous. They are not made for volumptious girls, but look great on trim guys and gals. They have some made with dreamy cashmere! They also have cotton ribbed ones. Wait until they are 40% or more off. Score!
Simple request: kindly don’t assume you know what will look good on specific body types. It can read as very insulting.
This gives off a big “mustachioed 70’s dad” vibe and not in a good way.
Eeeeep, yes! Like those collared v-neck velour shirts with a 1/4 zip. No.
Especially since gold chains are back!
While understand that things have changed at Cup of Jo, I still come to this page hoping for thoughtful commentary or interesting essays. If everyone else is happy drawing content from comments and revenue from sponsored posts, I won’t argue. But I really miss reading more than one paragraph here, which used to be a lovely respite from the news or shopping.
This feels like a rather unfair comment. For one, there are lots of longer posts and secondly, how can you expect to get free, quality writing/entertainment without some way of generating income for the people of CoJ who need to make a living? Joanna is much more generous in her response than I would be in her shoes.
I actually really enjoy these sorts of mini-posts, like from the early days of COJ.
joanna, i think you do a great job of balancing the light with the heavy. some days all i want to see is a lipstick or dress suggestion. other days i want to read something with more depth, like race issues. thank you for continuing to give us such wonderfully varied content.
I definitely appreciate the mix of thought-provoking, longer essays and shorter fashion or fun pieces that Cup of Jo offers. I enjoy both!
I feel as if Cup of Jo is like talking to your best friend…you can talk about the news, your kids, your parents, the weather, your pet peeves…EVERYTHING. Thanks for being such a fun and yet educational place for us Joanna and team.
This does not seem big boob friendly. Any thoughts?
I was thinking the exact same thing. I usually prefer tops that gather more at the waist for a little more of an hourglass silhouette.
Fashion trends are rarely big boob friendly… SIGH
I have big boobs and this type of sweater works for me! I don’t find it to be less flattering than any other boxy sweater.
exactly! i’m quite big boobed now and anything with a collar just makes me look bigger? boxy? i can’t pinpoint it exactly, but definitely a no for me :(
there is a great Australian brand called Marvell lane – they make swimmers and started making clothes for women with bigger busts – so you actually buy the clothes according to your bra size eg size twelve comes in 2 size – I think it is 12-d-E, or 12F-g. something like that… I’ve bought the swimmers and they are terrific and just ordered a top. Expensive but there’s nothing quite like them.
I agree about collars just not working. I wonder what it is.
@Kirby That brand looks amazing! Thanks for the recommendation!
It’s about the least flattering silhouette I can wear as an hourglass. My first thought was that it would be incredibly frumpy on me, especially in that oatmeal beige.
It may be the same in the US, but in the UK I’ve spotted this Other Stories one on loads of cuties over the past year:
Oooh thanks! I love it!
I bought the striped one from & Other Stories early last year and love it as it’s a good quality, heavier weight cotton knit with a great shape— highly recommend!
That Alex Mill red is such a happy color! For me, it’s 70s meets 90s, and no.
Did anyone else have one of those long sleeved polo shirts that were striped with the white color and big white buttons? That’s what they remind me.
Rugby shirts! I also was thinking of them but fondly.
A follow up to my Uniqlo comment, get the the heattech in the least warm iteration unless you really want something like long underwear. They also have heattech tights!!
And that was supposed to say “well” everything else! As in I wear it ALL the time haha
I have had my eye on this style and I LOVE the target one linked, so so so lovely
Love this style – I think it’s a classic and kind of elegant. I’ve been hoping to find one that would work for me. My preference would be for one with a V that isn’t too deep and low in front, and that it not be cropped. I like this one in dusty red/ milkshake linen and it’s on sale, but I am not sure about the V. https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/linen-collared-sweater-dusty-red-milkshake/sty-k0556-red
Thank, Joanna. That is a beautiful sweater. Out of my budget, but I do love it. I am a sucker for that shade of gray, and the little buttons are pretty. I will put it on my wish list and see what happens.
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