With Labor Day officially behind us (aka the unofficial end of summer, which I’m still not ready to accept), I’m fully locked into my seasonal-wardrobe-update mode. And not gonna lie, guys, my sweater game is pretty weak. Right now, my collection is mostly plain-colored cable knits—which, sure, “go with everything,” but I’ve been loving prints lately—polka dots, stripes, and paisley—and want something with a little more personality. Enter the argyle sweater. As the weather starts to cool down, I’ve been seeing fashion girls everywhere styling the classic print, and I think it might be exactly what my fall outfits are missing.
The preppy piece, with its iconic diamond pattern, has taken on a much cooler vibe than the school-uniform staple it’s traditionally been associated with. I’m seeing argyle sweaters in brighter hues, unexpected color combinations, and designs with playful details that make the print feel fresh. I say it’s 2026’s take on the academia trend—it’s punchier, more playful, and far less buttoned-up or interested in following the rules. And with maximalist fashion having such a major moment right now, people aren’t afraid to mix it with other patterns or style it in a more edgy way with slouchy jeans, balloon pants, or a lace skirt.
After plenty of online shopping and trying to figure out which style would actually work best with my style, I instantly fell with the Gap CashSoft Crop Cardigan. It’s made from the brand’s bestselling fabric, which is seriously soft and cozy—aka exactly what I want to be wearing once the temperatures start to drop. Plus, it’s cropped length sits right above the hip so it’s not too long or too short.
Though the chocolate brown and navy combo is probably my favorite part—it works with the more muted color palette I naturally gravitate toward in the fall, while still feeling a little livelier than my usual basics. Wear it fully buttoned for a more polished look or leave it open for something a little more relaxed. It’s also available in Regular, Tall, and Petite, so you can have your best fit.
And because I’m a gal who loves options (I have a feeling you might be too), I found a few more argyle sweaters I’ve got my eyes on. Shop them here:
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she’s also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
