"Sweater Stacking" Is the Styling Trick Keeping Our Knitwear Fresh This Winter

Fact: Feeling cold and uncomfortable can really put a damper on your plans. But any fashion person will tell you there’s a secret to keeping warm in the midst of winter while keeping yourself out of a style rut: layering. Not only is the styling technique practical, but it’s also a fun way to get adventurous with your chilly weather looks. Look to the season’s stacked sweater trend as a prime example: Piling on two (or more) of your favorite winter knits will yield a chic, unexpected outfit formula—one that's sure to turn heads. And don’t just take our word for it: Heavy hitter designers and celebrities have proven the power of this styling hack. Read on to learn all about the sweater stacking trend, complete with some tips and tricks to help you get started.

About the Trend

The sweater stacking trend is all over street style at the moment, but it also had a significant presence on the fall 2024 runways. Fashion industry vet Miuccia Prada is decidedly a purveyor of the look, having shown layered knit ensembles at Prada and Miu Miu. The former presented a pastel pink cardigan atop a lime green pullover (whether you're getting watermelon or Wicked vibes is open to interpretation).

Meanwhile, at Miu Miu, a model donned a slouchy charcoal gray cardigan alongside a matching sweater vest. At Bottega Veneta, creative director Matthieu Blazy served up an extra toasty combo—two turtlenecks (one thick and the other thin) paired together. 

As mentioned, celebrities have put their stamp on sweater stacking. For one, model and Guest in Residence founder Gigi Hadid is, of course, no stranger to the technique. Case in point? Last year, the supermodel donned a tomato red cardigan over a coordinating pullover while hitting the streets of New York City. Her young sister, Bella, has also dabbled in the intriguing look—see her oversized cardi and sweater dress duo below. 

Tips for Sweater Stacking

If you’re new to the sweater stacking game, here’s some good news: The insider trick isn’t as daunting as it may seem. First things first—take a peek into your closet to see what you’re working with. Do you have a chunky vintage cardigan? If so, consider layering it over a cable knit sweater vest (after all these years, the piece has maintained its grip on the trend cycle). Alternatively, merge that same sleeveless piece with a super-thin turtleneck knit. 

For a cohesive finish, try teaming two knits in the same color family—like, say, an orange piece alongside a peach-colored style. And as a rule of thumb, it’s always best to sport your heavier knit on top.

Ahead, we’re breaking down three knitwear silhouettes to begin your foray into sweater stacking. Keep in mind that there's no secret sauce for pulling off the look: It’s all about getting experimental and flexing your styling muscles, so use these as a starting point and then get creative to your heart's content.

Three Sweater Styles Ideal for Stacking

Cardigan

Leave it to content creator Susie Lau to show us a playful way to stack our knits. Here, the bold, maximalist dresser layered a vibrant orange sweater jacket over an equally striking, teal cardigan. Go the extra mile by donning a sweater midi skirt—or if that sounds too far outside your fashion comfort zone, slouchy jeans are sure to please.

Sweater Vest

This ensemble is bound to strike a sartorial chord. For a more classic approach to the look, opt for a cable knit pullover tied around your shoulders, with a coordinating vest underneath. Above, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson goes slightly more maximalist by opting for two different striped knits—the key here is making sure your patterns share a color or two for a cohesive feel. Another option: Sport the sweater around your waist to look effortlessly cool.

If you reside somewhere warm, such as Los Angeles, we’d suggest giving this outfit formula a go during the day. Once evening approaches, work a blazer or denim jacket into the mix.

Pullover

As it happens, Loewe debuted a silhouette that’s meant to resemble the look of layered sweaters (and it’s still available to shop). But if the designer piece is out of your budget or you'd rather DIY the look, achieve the trend by way of a brushed knit pullover and collared polo. Combine two similar shades or opt for contrasting colors—whichever tickles your fancy. And to create a delightful textural contrast for the cozy pieces, follow Kiwi Lee’s lead by slipping into a pair of leather pants or shorts (if weather permits).