Why The Best Fall Sweater Might Be In The Men's Section

Have you ever stolen a sweater from a boyfriend, a brother or your dad and then quietly never given it back? There's a reason that happens so often. Menswear knits tend to be cut straighter and a little longer, with a dropped, easy shape that looks effortless over a mini skirt or tucked into wide-leg trousers. So this fall, instead of waiting for someone to leave their knitwear at your place, it might be time to go straight to the source.

What makes menswear knits worth the detour

The appeal comes down to proportion. A crewneck designed for a broader frame sits slightly off the shoulder on most of us, the sleeves run long enough to push up or bunch at the wrist, and the hem lands low enough to front-tuck without the whole thing riding up. That's the slouchy, borrowed look people spend a lot of time trying to fake with women's "oversized" styles that are often just boxy.

Menswear sections also tend to stick to classic colors and plain knits, which makes them easy to build outfits around. A good men's crewneck is a nice example of that. Suitsupply's crewneck range covers soft merino wool in shades like off-white, mid blue and a deep purple, pure cashmere in navy, black and grey, and short-sleeve crewnecks in a cotton and silk blend, which are perfect for those in-between days when a full sleeve feels like too much. None of it screams for attention, and that's the point, because the sweater becomes the calm base you get to style loudly on top of.

Fiber matters more than people think here. Natural fibers like merino and cashmere drape softly and move with you, while a stiff acrylic knit can stand away from the body and make an oversized shape look sloppy instead of intentional. If the goal is a sweater that looks borrowed rather than just big, the softer the yarn, the better it falls.

Getting the size right

Buying from the men's section is less about matching a number and more about deciding how you want the sweater to sit. The shoulder seam is the easiest thing to check, since it tells you straight away how relaxed the fit will be.If you can try it on, do it with whatever you plan to wear underneath. A collared shirt under a crewneck needs a little extra room, and Suitsupply's own fit advice suggests going up one size when you're layering over a shirt.

Ways to wear it this fall

Once you've got the right one, it works with almost everything already in your closet. A few combinations worth trying:

• Over a plaid mini skirt with tights and loafers, sleeves rolled, for a slightly preppy take on the season's plaid obsession.
• Front-tucked into wide-leg tailored trousers with a slim belt, which keeps the shape while showing off the waist.
• Layered over a crisp white collared shirt with the collar and cuffs peeking out, especially good in a sand or off-white knit.
• Worn head to toe in one color, a navy crewneck with navy trousers or a grey one with grey, which pairs well with Fizzy's guide to mastering the monochrome look for fall.
• Thrown over the shoulders as a scarf-style layer on warmer afternoons, then pulled on once the sun goes down.

Keeping a borrowed-look sweater looking good

A slouchy sweater only works if it still looks cared for, so a little maintenance goes a long way. The Woolmark Company recommends drying wool knits flat, because hanging a wet sweater on a line or a hanger lets the weight of the water stretch it out of shape, and the garment can grow longer than it was when you bought it. Its guide to drying wool also advises keeping knitwear away from direct sunlight and radiators while it dries, since the heat can change the color or damage the fibers in the spot that dries fastest.

The same logic applies when you put it away. Fold your crewnecks in a drawer or on a shelf instead of hanging them, so the shoulders don't end up with those little hanger bumps. For cashmere, a fabric comb clears the tiny pills that appear with regular wear and keeps the surface smooth, which matters a lot when the whole outfit is built around one plain, soft sweater.