The authentic and timeless world of Ralph Lauren
November 2025
RL/Men

The Secret Weapon of Great Fall Style

We call it The Knit List: Five sweaters every guy needs—and how to style them.
By Eric Twardzik
Sweater, jumper—whatever you choose to call them on your side of the Atlantic—there’s no denying that a good wool knit is one of fall’s great pleasures. They’re also one of the smartest, easiest ways to add a shot of texture, color, and even pattern to your cold weather style. It’s in that spirit that we’ve spotlighted five icons from the Polo Ralph Lauren stable, and shown you how to make them your own.
1/5
Hot Fuzz
A classic of the prep canon, the Shetland sweater is easily identified by its brushed finish. Use it to add a pop of texture—and color—to foundational looks like a blazer with an oxford shirt and jeans.
Polo Tailored Fit Cashmere Blazer
$1,998.00
Edric Leather Penny Loafer
$298.00
2/5
Gone Fishing
Named for the rocky Irish islands where they were first worn by fishermen, the Aran sweater stands out with its rich and varied patterns and thick, low-gauge knit. Lean into its rugged heritage and pair it with workwear-inspired pieces such as a quilted jacket and lugged-sole boots.
3/5
All’s Fair
Native to a windswept island off of Scotland’s northeast coast, the Fair Isle sweater’s intricate motifs are created with precise rows of knitting using just two colors at a time. Layer it beneath earth-tone outerwear for a visual boost—and double down on pattern with a matching scarf.
Custom Fit Striped Poplin Shirt
$150.00
Maestra Tassel Calfskin Loafer
$548.00
4/5
Pitch Perfect
Knit from a wool blend rather than cotton, the cricket sweater has the heft to take the tennis sweater’s place in cool weather. Every bit as preppy with its cable-knit pattern and striped trim, it can hold its own with a wide-scale herringbone tweed overcoat and pleated cords.
Maestra Tassel Suede Loafer
$548.00
Full-Grain Leather Belt
$128.00
5/5
Neck and Neck
Northing frames the face so cleanly as a turtleneck. It’s the ideal choice for a pared-down tonal look that can be accented at its base with a burnished calfskin hiking boot, or up top with an artfully tied bandanna slung loosely around the neck.
Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
$1,095.00
Darrow Calfskin Boot
$1,895.00
ERIC TWARDZIK is a writer with a deep reverence for things that get better with age, from tweed jackets to single-malt Scotch. He has written for GQ, Esquire, and Condé Nast Traveler and is the deputy editor of Wm Brown. He lives in New England with his family and owns too many ties.
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