If a Sweater and Jeans Never Look Quite Right, Try These 7 Foolproof Combos

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If a Sweater and Jeans Never Look Quite Right, Try These 7 Foolproof Combos

person wears a gray sweater, blue button-down, and jeansperson wears a gray sweater, blue button-down, and jeans

@izzipoopi / Instagram

In This Article


Cashmere Contrast

Buttoned-Up Cardigan

Chunky V-Neck

Rom-Com Turtleneck

Funky Knit Poncho

Knit Jackets

Brushed Mohair

Key Takeaways

  • Sweaters and denim are both wardrobe staples, with endless ways to pair them that create office-appropriate ensembles, nightlife-ready looks, and everything in between.
  • A buttoned-up cardigan suddenly becomes more relaxed when paired with baggy or bootcut jeans, while a chunky V-neck feels elevated and cool alongside a high-rise silhouette.

Is there any more effortless combo than a sweater and jeans? It’s a classic formula: There’s an almost endless selection of knitwear types, denim silhouettes, and yarn finishes—but at the end of the day, this duo works in almost every application. The allure also lies in its versatility: The combo looks polished enough for in-office workdays, yet it’s cool-girl-approved for after hours.

Still, if you’re looking for some inspiration to refresh the classic combo (or guidance on where to start), we totally get it. It turns out that some silhouettes are especially primed for pairing with your favorite boyfriend jeans, bringing cozy comfort and sophistication alike. Ahead, we’re exploring seven sweater categories that pair impeccably with denim, plus our favorite pieces to shop.

01of 07

Cashmere Contrast

person wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakersperson wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakers

@adrian.cashmere / Instagram

Delicate, soft-to-the-touch cashmere is a wardrobe must-have. This isn’t your grandmother’s sweater, though: Shop juicy berry shades and modern silhouettes, all with the yarn blend’s signature softness. The thin knit contrasts nicely against the thick rigidity of vintage denim (and/or modern straight leg silhouettes), creating visual balance for your early spring outfit rotation.

Product Picks

02of 07

Buttoned-Up Cardigan

Paloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trenchPaloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trench

Getty Images

Cardigans earned a reputation as a preppy and polished knit, but they receive a lived-in look when paired with baggy or bootcut jeans. Start with a classic button-down cardigan and add a few night-out essentials, like ultra-baggy jeans, a statement coat, and a teeny It-bag. The unexpected styling breathes new life into a standard knit.

Product Picks

03of 07

Chunky V-Neck

Toni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pantsToni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pants

@bonitravo / Instagram

A thick-knit sweater is a classic for a reason. It offers the comfort of a sweatshirt with the trim details of a workwear staple, plus a neckline that’s primed for springtime layering. Try wearing it alongside sky-high-rise, wide-leg jeans (or corduroy trousers!) to balance out the volume on top.

Product Picks

04of 07

Rom-Com Turtleneck

Laufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeansLaufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeans

@laufey / Instagram

Does it get any more ’90s than the turtleneck? This sleek, understated sweater is a versatile basic—and it’s somehow even chicer when paired with jeans. This thinly knit piece is typically tailored in fit, so play with proportions by slipping into loose mid-wash jeans.

Product Picks

05of 07

Funky Knit Poncho

Kelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandalsKelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandals

@kellyrutherford / Instagram

Crochet and knit fabrics lend an extra textural element, so why not lean into that unexpectedness? Knit shawls are trending this season, packing an uncommon silhouette in a familiar fiber. You might also explore sheer knits and boleros, which will become practical layers as the weather warms up. Pair this fashion-forward piece with something more tailored, such as a straight-leg or cigarette pant.

Product Picks

06of 07

Knit Jackets

person wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeansperson wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeans

Getty Images

Half-zips are having a moment, with the appreciation on the rise for the silhouette as a whole. This sporty-chic style is excellent as a lounge set or for weekend brunch, but we also love accessorized pieces for a night out. Pair a maximalist knit jacket with low-slung gray jeans, which pack a grunge attitude. 

Product Picks

07of 07

Brushed Mohair

person wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeansperson wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeans

@izzipoopi / Instagram

Candy floss-adjacent brushed mohair gives a textural quality to a classic jeans combo, upgrading the outfit with minimal effort. Styling could follow the path of a quintessentially ‘90s When Harry Met Sally crewneck, including a button-down layered underneath and laid-back accessories. A relaxed wide-leg pair gives full attention to the knit, underlining the outfit’s nonchalant mood. For a notoriously fussy fabric, this look is decidedly less so.

Product Picks

Read more:

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If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

If a Sweater and Jeans Never Look Quite Right, Try These 7 Foolproof Combos

person wears a gray sweater, blue button-down, and jeansperson wears a gray sweater, blue button-down, and jeans

@izzipoopi / Instagram

In This Article


Cashmere Contrast

Buttoned-Up Cardigan

Chunky V-Neck

Rom-Com Turtleneck

Funky Knit Poncho

Knit Jackets

Brushed Mohair

Key Takeaways

  • Sweaters and denim are both wardrobe staples, with endless ways to pair them that create office-appropriate ensembles, nightlife-ready looks, and everything in between.
  • A buttoned-up cardigan suddenly becomes more relaxed when paired with baggy or bootcut jeans, while a chunky V-neck feels elevated and cool alongside a high-rise silhouette.

Is there any more effortless combo than a sweater and jeans? It’s a classic formula: There’s an almost endless selection of knitwear types, denim silhouettes, and yarn finishes—but at the end of the day, this duo works in almost every application. The allure also lies in its versatility: The combo looks polished enough for in-office workdays, yet it’s cool-girl-approved for after hours.

Still, if you’re looking for some inspiration to refresh the classic combo (or guidance on where to start), we totally get it. It turns out that some silhouettes are especially primed for pairing with your favorite boyfriend jeans, bringing cozy comfort and sophistication alike. Ahead, we’re exploring seven sweater categories that pair impeccably with denim, plus our favorite pieces to shop.

01of 07

Cashmere Contrast

person wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakersperson wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakers

@adrian.cashmere / Instagram

Delicate, soft-to-the-touch cashmere is a wardrobe must-have. This isn’t your grandmother’s sweater, though: Shop juicy berry shades and modern silhouettes, all with the yarn blend’s signature softness. The thin knit contrasts nicely against the thick rigidity of vintage denim (and/or modern straight leg silhouettes), creating visual balance for your early spring outfit rotation.

Product Picks

02of 07

Buttoned-Up Cardigan

Paloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trenchPaloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trench

Getty Images

Cardigans earned a reputation as a preppy and polished knit, but they receive a lived-in look when paired with baggy or bootcut jeans. Start with a classic button-down cardigan and add a few night-out essentials, like ultra-baggy jeans, a statement coat, and a teeny It-bag. The unexpected styling breathes new life into a standard knit.

Product Picks

03of 07

Chunky V-Neck

Toni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pantsToni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pants

@bonitravo / Instagram

A thick-knit sweater is a classic for a reason. It offers the comfort of a sweatshirt with the trim details of a workwear staple, plus a neckline that’s primed for springtime layering. Try wearing it alongside sky-high-rise, wide-leg jeans (or corduroy trousers!) to balance out the volume on top.

Product Picks

04of 07

Rom-Com Turtleneck

Laufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeansLaufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeans

@laufey / Instagram

Does it get any more ’90s than the turtleneck? This sleek, understated sweater is a versatile basic—and it’s somehow even chicer when paired with jeans. This thinly knit piece is typically tailored in fit, so play with proportions by slipping into loose mid-wash jeans.

Product Picks

05of 07

Funky Knit Poncho

Kelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandalsKelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandals

@kellyrutherford / Instagram

Crochet and knit fabrics lend an extra textural element, so why not lean into that unexpectedness? Knit shawls are trending this season, packing an uncommon silhouette in a familiar fiber. You might also explore sheer knits and boleros, which will become practical layers as the weather warms up. Pair this fashion-forward piece with something more tailored, such as a straight-leg or cigarette pant.

Product Picks

06of 07

Knit Jackets

person wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeansperson wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeans

Getty Images

Half-zips are having a moment, with the appreciation on the rise for the silhouette as a whole. This sporty-chic style is excellent as a lounge set or for weekend brunch, but we also love accessorized pieces for a night out. Pair a maximalist knit jacket with low-slung gray jeans, which pack a grunge attitude. 

Product Picks

07of 07

Brushed Mohair

person wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeansperson wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeans

@izzipoopi / Instagram

Candy floss-adjacent brushed mohair gives a textural quality to a classic jeans combo, upgrading the outfit with minimal effort. Styling could follow the path of a quintessentially ‘90s When Harry Met Sally crewneck, including a button-down layered underneath and laid-back accessories. A relaxed wide-leg pair gives full attention to the knit, underlining the outfit’s nonchalant mood. For a notoriously fussy fabric, this look is decidedly less so.

Product Picks

Read more:
person wears a gray sweater, blue button-down, and jeansperson wears a gray sweater, blue button-down, and jeans

@izzipoopi / Instagram

In This Article


Cashmere Contrast

Buttoned-Up Cardigan

Chunky V-Neck

Rom-Com Turtleneck

Funky Knit Poncho

Knit Jackets

Brushed Mohair

Key Takeaways

  • Sweaters and denim are both wardrobe staples, with endless ways to pair them that create office-appropriate ensembles, nightlife-ready looks, and everything in between.
  • A buttoned-up cardigan suddenly becomes more relaxed when paired with baggy or bootcut jeans, while a chunky V-neck feels elevated and cool alongside a high-rise silhouette.

Is there any more effortless combo than a sweater and jeans? It’s a classic formula: There’s an almost endless selection of knitwear types, denim silhouettes, and yarn finishes—but at the end of the day, this duo works in almost every application. The allure also lies in its versatility: The combo looks polished enough for in-office workdays, yet it’s cool-girl-approved for after hours.

Still, if you’re looking for some inspiration to refresh the classic combo (or guidance on where to start), we totally get it. It turns out that some silhouettes are especially primed for pairing with your favorite boyfriend jeans, bringing cozy comfort and sophistication alike. Ahead, we’re exploring seven sweater categories that pair impeccably with denim, plus our favorite pieces to shop.

01of 07

Cashmere Contrast

person wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakersperson wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakers

@adrian.cashmere / Instagram

Delicate, soft-to-the-touch cashmere is a wardrobe must-have. This isn’t your grandmother’s sweater, though: Shop juicy berry shades and modern silhouettes, all with the yarn blend’s signature softness. The thin knit contrasts nicely against the thick rigidity of vintage denim (and/or modern straight leg silhouettes), creating visual balance for your early spring outfit rotation.

Product Picks

02of 07

Buttoned-Up Cardigan

Paloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trenchPaloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trench

Getty Images

Cardigans earned a reputation as a preppy and polished knit, but they receive a lived-in look when paired with baggy or bootcut jeans. Start with a classic button-down cardigan and add a few night-out essentials, like ultra-baggy jeans, a statement coat, and a teeny It-bag. The unexpected styling breathes new life into a standard knit.

Product Picks

03of 07

Chunky V-Neck

Toni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pantsToni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pants

@bonitravo / Instagram

A thick-knit sweater is a classic for a reason. It offers the comfort of a sweatshirt with the trim details of a workwear staple, plus a neckline that’s primed for springtime layering. Try wearing it alongside sky-high-rise, wide-leg jeans (or corduroy trousers!) to balance out the volume on top.

Product Picks

04of 07

Rom-Com Turtleneck

Laufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeansLaufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeans

@laufey / Instagram

Does it get any more ’90s than the turtleneck? This sleek, understated sweater is a versatile basic—and it’s somehow even chicer when paired with jeans. This thinly knit piece is typically tailored in fit, so play with proportions by slipping into loose mid-wash jeans.

Product Picks

05of 07

Funky Knit Poncho

Kelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandalsKelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandals

@kellyrutherford / Instagram

Crochet and knit fabrics lend an extra textural element, so why not lean into that unexpectedness? Knit shawls are trending this season, packing an uncommon silhouette in a familiar fiber. You might also explore sheer knits and boleros, which will become practical layers as the weather warms up. Pair this fashion-forward piece with something more tailored, such as a straight-leg or cigarette pant.

Product Picks

06of 07

Knit Jackets

person wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeansperson wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeans

Getty Images

Half-zips are having a moment, with the appreciation on the rise for the silhouette as a whole. This sporty-chic style is excellent as a lounge set or for weekend brunch, but we also love accessorized pieces for a night out. Pair a maximalist knit jacket with low-slung gray jeans, which pack a grunge attitude. 

Product Picks

07of 07

Brushed Mohair

person wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeansperson wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeans

@izzipoopi / Instagram

Candy floss-adjacent brushed mohair gives a textural quality to a classic jeans combo, upgrading the outfit with minimal effort. Styling could follow the path of a quintessentially ‘90s When Harry Met Sally crewneck, including a button-down layered underneath and laid-back accessories. A relaxed wide-leg pair gives full attention to the knit, underlining the outfit’s nonchalant mood. For a notoriously fussy fabric, this look is decidedly less so.

Product Picks

01of 07

Cashmere Contrast

person wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakersperson wears a green cashmere top and jeans with sneakers

@adrian.cashmere / Instagram

Delicate, soft-to-the-touch cashmere is a wardrobe must-have. This isn’t your grandmother’s sweater, though: Shop juicy berry shades and modern silhouettes, all with the yarn blend’s signature softness. The thin knit contrasts nicely against the thick rigidity of vintage denim (and/or modern straight leg silhouettes), creating visual balance for your early spring outfit rotation.

Product Picks

02of 07

Buttoned-Up Cardigan

Paloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trenchPaloma Elsesser wears a buttoned cardigan with dark-wash jeans and a purple trench

Getty Images

Cardigans earned a reputation as a preppy and polished knit, but they receive a lived-in look when paired with baggy or bootcut jeans. Start with a classic button-down cardigan and add a few night-out essentials, like ultra-baggy jeans, a statement coat, and a teeny It-bag. The unexpected styling breathes new life into a standard knit.

Product Picks

03of 07

Chunky V-Neck

Toni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pantsToni Bravo wears a rib-knit cardigan and black pants

@bonitravo / Instagram

A thick-knit sweater is a classic for a reason. It offers the comfort of a sweatshirt with the trim details of a workwear staple, plus a neckline that’s primed for springtime layering. Try wearing it alongside sky-high-rise, wide-leg jeans (or corduroy trousers!) to balance out the volume on top.

Product Picks

04of 07

Rom-Com Turtleneck

Laufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeansLaufey weras a black turtleneck with mid-wash jeans

@laufey / Instagram

Does it get any more ’90s than the turtleneck? This sleek, understated sweater is a versatile basic—and it’s somehow even chicer when paired with jeans. This thinly knit piece is typically tailored in fit, so play with proportions by slipping into loose mid-wash jeans.

Product Picks

05of 07

Funky Knit Poncho

Kelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandalsKelly Rutherford wears a white top, multicolor knit poncho, and jeans with sandals

@kellyrutherford / Instagram

Crochet and knit fabrics lend an extra textural element, so why not lean into that unexpectedness? Knit shawls are trending this season, packing an uncommon silhouette in a familiar fiber. You might also explore sheer knits and boleros, which will become practical layers as the weather warms up. Pair this fashion-forward piece with something more tailored, such as a straight-leg or cigarette pant.

Product Picks

06of 07

Knit Jackets

person wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeansperson wearing a knit jacket with fur and black jeans

Getty Images

Half-zips are having a moment, with the appreciation on the rise for the silhouette as a whole. This sporty-chic style is excellent as a lounge set or for weekend brunch, but we also love accessorized pieces for a night out. Pair a maximalist knit jacket with low-slung gray jeans, which pack a grunge attitude. 

Product Picks

07of 07

Brushed Mohair

person wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeansperson wears a gray mohair sweater with cuffed jeans

@izzipoopi / Instagram

Candy floss-adjacent brushed mohair gives a textural quality to a classic jeans combo, upgrading the outfit with minimal effort. Styling could follow the path of a quintessentially ‘90s When Harry Met Sally crewneck, including a button-down layered underneath and laid-back accessories. A relaxed wide-leg pair gives full attention to the knit, underlining the outfit’s nonchalant mood. For a notoriously fussy fabric, this look is decidedly less so.

Product Picks

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