Product of the week: The gray sweater

What is it:

The gray jumper may not be the most exciting piece of clothing imaginable, but it still stole hearts on the Fall/Winter 2023 runways. Alongside romantic ruffles and florals, this minimalist jumper has been featured in numerous collections, often paired with statement pieces and contrasting colors, making it a must-have for the colder months ahead. While the silhouette of the sweater varied from collection to collection – it came with puffy sleeves or exaggerated lengths or structured shoulders – the look remained basically the same.

Why you should order it:

A simple yet effortless addition to any wardrobe, the gray sweater can be worn by a large group of people as a simple year-round staple. As such an essential, the sweater is versatile and never goes out of style regardless of the season or trend. This essential piece of clothing is something that customers will wear again and again year after year and that doesn’t force them to step out of their comfort zone. You can simply throw it on, wear it as a warm sweater and combine it with almost everything.

Where we’ve seen him before:

Admittedly, the gray jumper might not be the most exciting ‘it-piece’, but for Autumn/Winter 2023 the designers brought the simple piece to the catwalk in updated versions that made it more interesting. While Victoria Beckham, Loewe and Patou played with different proportions, Isabel Marant and Jil Sander experimented with metallic details and fluffy gray sweaters. Hermès, Zegna and Kolor updated the sweater with patchwork, combining different materials and prints. Prada, on the other hand, kept a creative restraint, showing off a selection of minimalist gray sweaters paired with midi skirts. At Giorgio Armani and Fendi, the sweater was used as a ‘Logomania’ piece, with enlarged prints running through all knitwear.

How to style it:

With such a simple garment, there are many styling possibilities. The color gray is neutral and can therefore be combined well with almost any other shade, which makes it very changeable, depending on the wishes of its wearer. The colors red, purple and blue can be combined particularly well, all of which are considered trend colors of the FW23 season and were also seen in abundance on the catwalks. You can also take styling inspiration from catwalks, such as that of Prada, where gray sweaters were paired with sheer midi skirts or matching structured coats, or Kolor, where sweaters were worn with an oversized cardigan in a matching gray.

Ultimately, the gray jumper is a conspicuous staple of the coming season, cherished by designers and consumers alike, and one that never goes out of style. Its appeal extends across all audiences and seasons, making it a great investment that can be a faithful companion all year round.

This translated article was previously published on FashionUnited.uk.