40 Classic Cable-Knit Sweaters That Got A Chic Update

The nip is in the air, the goosebumps are returning, and our desire for cozy knits is back. Ah yes, it appears we’ve officially entered sweater season once again. While we can’t get enough of super-soft cashmere pullovers, easy cardigans, and long sweater dresses, there’s one iconic style that transcends the rest, and that’s the cable-knit sweater.

Also known as the ​​Aran sweater (named for the islands off the coast of Ireland), the cable-knit sweater is a century-old style that has kept the Galway fisherpeople toasty on the northern seas. The cozy factor comes from the unique braid-like cable patterns, of course, which creates a stiffer, chunkier, and denser handfeel that doubles down on providing warmth. 

While the traditional fisherman cable-knit is still synonymous with (and beloved by) Irish sea folks, for the purpose of dressing for modern-day Fashion (with a capital F), this classic sweater has been updated, reimagined, and reknit into new and exciting silhouettes that are chic for any off-shore fall look. Ahead, check out the best cable-knit sweater trends that are sure to make your cold-weather months feel like a warm hug.

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Oversized Cable-Knit Sweaters

Big comfort, big warmth, big cables — these oversized sweaters are perfect for layering.

Free People Leslie Cable Knit Oversize Sweater, $, available at ASOS

Anrabess Oversized Cable Knit Chunky Pullover, $, available at Amazon

Cable-Knit Cardigans

If you prefer to wear your cable-knit sweater as lightweight outerwear, consider it in cardigan form.

Jenni Kayne Cable Cocoon Cardigan, $, available at Jenni Kayne

American Eagle Cropped Cable Knit Cardigan, $, available at American Eagle

BP. Plus Oversize Cable Cardigan, $, available at Nordstom

Cropped Cable-Knit Sweaters

The cropped cable-knit sweater is proof that the traditional style can work as a shorter-hem pullover.

Missguided Petite Diamond Cable Knit Sweaters, $, available at ASOS

Eloquii Cropped Cable Sweater Shirt, $, available at Eloquii

Sunday Best Peggy Cropped Sweater, $, available at Aritzia

Sweaters With Sass

This isn’t your mother’s cable-knit, it’s cuter (except if she asks, then hers is shhh!).

1.State Fringe Sleeve Cable Sweater, $, available at Revolve

And Other Stories Cable Knit Wool Sweater, $, available at And Other Stories

Chi Chi London Turtleneck Cable Knit Lounge Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Torrid Chunky Coatigan Collared Cable Sweater, $, available at Torrid

TSE Recycled Cashmere Cable-Knit Poncho, $, available at Neiman Marcus

Classic Cable-Knit Crew Neck Sweater

You can never go wrong with a straightforward style. These cable-knit sweaters lean more classic, but still have modern-day details like roomy sleeves or looser, lighter-weight knitted patterns.

Abercrombie & Fitch Oversized Fluffy Cable Crew Sweater, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Free People Cutting Edge Cable Pullover, $, available at Free People

Banana Republic Breton Oversized Merino-Cashmere Sweater, $, available at Banana Republic

Old Navy Heathered Cable-Knit Sweater, $, available at Old Navy

Mango Pearl Chunky Knitted Sweater, $, available at Mango

Cable-Knit Sweater Vests

If you’re all in on the sweater vest trend, grab one with a cable-knit pattern for a cool, preppy look.

Shona Joy Eva Cable Vest, $, available at Revolve

Veronica Beard Pinkett Vest, $, available at Veronica Beard

Sandro Knitted Polo Sweater, $, available at Sandro

Madewell Pointelle Knowe Sweater Vest, $, available at Madewell

Lattelier V-Neck Cable-Knit Vest, $, available at Lattelier

Varsity-Style Cable-Knit Sweaters

The throwback academia trend is alive and well — and these varsity-style cable-knit sweaters are proof of it.

Rowing Blazers Double-Stripe Cable-Knit Cricket Sweater, $, available at Rowing Blazers

Gucci Cable Knit V-Neck Sweater, $, available at Gucci

Brooks Brothers Merino Wool Cashmere Tennis Sweater, $, available at Brooks Brothers

Minnie Rose Plus Striped-Trim Cable-Knit Sweater, $, available at Neiman Marcus

Polo Cable-Knit Sweaters

With polos making a strong comeback this year, it’s only appropriate that cable-knit iterations have come forth.

Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Wool-Cashmere Polo Sweater, $, available at Ralph Lauren

Rainbow Cable Knit Polo Shirt, $, available at Rainbow

Fair Isle Cable-Knit Sweaters

With heavy nods to the traditional Aran cable-knit sweater, these pullovers have a Fair Isle pattern across the neck and chest.

Scotch & Soda Cable Knit Fair Isle Sweater, $, available at Scotch & Soda

Old Navy Cozy Fair Isle Cable-Knit Turtleneck Sweater, $, available at Old Navy

LOFT Fair Isle Turtleneck Cable Sweater, $, available at LOFT

Turtleneck Cable-Knit Sweaters

For maximum coziness, get yourself a cable-knit sweater with a high neck, cowl neck, or mock turtleneck.

Anthropologie Cowl-Neck Cable-Knit Sweater, $, available at Anthropologie

Naadam Cashmere Cable Turtleneck, $, available at Naadam

TUHMBCO Cable Knit Turtleneck Handmade Sweater, $, available at Etsy

Vila Curve Cable-Knit High Neck Sweater, $, available at ASOS

Cable-Knit Sweater Dresses

Take the cable-knit trend and go long with it in the form of a sweater dress. 

J. Crew Cable-Knit Mini Sweater Dress, $, available at J.Crew

Current Air Layered Sweater Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

QED London Roll Neck Cable-Knit Sweater Dress, $, available at ASOS

For Love & Lemons Vera Cut Out Dress, $, available at Revolve

PACT Classic Cable Knit Sweater Dress, $, available at PACT

PACT Classic Cable Knit Sweater Dress, $, available at PACT

Mango Oversize knit sweater, $, available at Mango

American Eagle Oversized Cable Knit Button-Up Cardigan, $, available at American Eagle

Naadam Cropped Cable Knit Cardigan, $, available at Naadam

Line & Dot Jasper Fringe Cable Knit Sweater, $, available at Shopbop

Reformation Alfio Cashmere Cable Short Set, $, available at Reformation

Classic Cable-Knit Crew Neck Sweaters

You can never go wrong with a straightforward style. These cable-knit sweaters lean more classic, but still have modern-day details like roomy sleeves or looser, lighter-weight knitted patterns.

Free People Dream Cable Crewneck Sweater, $, available at Free People

Banana Republic Fisherman Cable-Knit Sweater, $, available at Banana Republic

Old Navy Lightweight Cable-Knit Sweater for Women, $, available at Old Navy

Cable-Knit Sweater Vests

If you’re all in on the sweater-vest trend, grab one with a cable-knit pattern for a cool, preppy look.

Abercrombie and Fitch Cable Knit V-Neck Sweater Vest, $, available at Abercrombie and Fitch

iets frans Cable Sweater Vest, $, available at Urban Outffiters

TNA Clay Sweater, $, available at Aritzia

Rowing Blazers WOOL CRICKET SWEATER, $, available at Rowing Blazers

Anthropologie Cable-Knit Buttoned Poncho, $, available at Anthropologie

Everlane The Lofty-Knit Henley, $, available at Everlane

And Other Stories Merino Cable Knit Sweater, $, available at And Other Stories

Fair Isle Cable-Knit Sweaters

With heavy nods to the traditional Aran cable-knit sweater, these pullovers have a Fair Isle pattern across the neck and chest.

Saylor Susanna Fair Isle Cable Knit Sweater, $, available at Intermix

L.L. Bean Men’s Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweater, Crewneck, Fai, $, available at L.L. Bean

A.L.C. Oakley Fair Isle Knit Sweater, $, available at A.L.C

Love Tree Turtleneck Cable Knit Crop Sweater, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Turtleneck Cable-Knit Sweaters

For maximum coziness, get yourself a cable-knit sweater with a high neck, cowl neck, or mock turtleneck.

Anthropologie Cowl-Neck Cable-Knit Sweater, $, available at Anthropologie

Cable-Knit Sweater Dresses

Take the cable-knit trend and go long with it in the form of a sweater dress. 

J.Crew Cable-Knit Stretch-Wool Sweater Dress, $, available at J.Crew

DaisyMoodBoutique Women’s Cable Knit Button Down Maxi Sweater Dress, $, available at Etsy

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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