When temperatures start to drop, choosing a good sweater becomes much more than a question of style: it is a decision that impacts comfort, durability, and how you want to dress your days. Our women's autumn 2026 sweater and cardigan guide helps you navigate the materials and cuts that make up our selection this season—because understanding what you buy is also learning how to choose better.
Merino wool: autumn's reliable staple
Merino wool is likely the most versatile material in the autumn wardrobe. Sourced from sheep raised primarily in New Zealand and Australia, it stands out for its exceptional fineness—its fibers are much thinner than conventional wool, which gives it a softness that can be worn directly against the skin without any itchiness.
Naturally thermoregulating, it keeps you warm without overheating, absorbs moisture without feeling damp, and is naturally odor-resistant. A well-maintained merino wool sweater can be a staple in your wardrobe for many seasons. Care requires a little attention: hand wash or use a delicate cycle at 30°C, and lay flat to dry to maintain its shape. Ideal for those looking for an everyday piece as comfortable at the office as it is on the weekend, merino wool suits all body types and adapts to all cuts.
Alpaca: lightness and natural nobility
Alpaca is an exceptional fiber, harvested from alpacas in the high Andean plateaus. Its specialty? Surprising lightness combined with remarkable insulating power, often superior to that of wool. The fiber is hollow, which gives it that characteristic airy feel. Naturally hypoallergenic, it is suitable for sensitive skin that reacts to traditional wool.
Visually, alpaca offers a fluid drape and a slight sheen that instantly elevates a look. It is the go-to material for women's oversized cardigans worn as the centerpiece of an outfit—over straight-leg jeans, with Chelsea boots, or thrown over the shoulders as a light jacket. Its care is similar to merino wool, with a preference for hand washing. It is an investment you will quickly justify from the very first wear.
Textured cotton: the choice for the mild season
Textured cotton—whether in chunky ribbed stitches, jacquard, or waffle knit—is the material that reconciles comfort and practicality. Less warm than wool but significantly more structured than a simple jersey, it occupies an ideal place in the early and late season wardrobe. Its great quality: it is machine washable without any fuss, resists repeated wear, and keeps its shape over time.
At Appart17, we select textured cotton pieces that play with relief to bring character to simple silhouettes. Our partner brands like VILA offer, among other things, ribbed sweaters with intricate necklines or button-down cardigans where the texture is the main feature. It is the perfect material for those who prioritize easy care without sacrificing style. It can be worn on its own or layered under a coat or a structured jacket.
Cashmere: the discreet luxury of everyday life
Cashmere no longer needs an introduction, but it is worth recalling the essentials: it is a fiber derived from the down of cashmere goats, harvested in very limited quantities, which explains its premium positioning. Its softness is incomparable—the feel is immediately recognizable, almost silky—and its fineness allows for lightweight pieces that still retain heat very well.
A good cashmere sweater is a long-term investment. Maintained with care—hand washed in cold water, dried flat, stored folded rather than hung to avoid stretching—it even improves with time, developing a soft patina that synthetic materials cannot imitate. It is for those who prefer to own less but own better. In our women's ready-to-wear, cashmere pieces represent the pinnacle of our knitwear curation this season.
The trendy cuts of autumn 2026
The oversized cardigan, the season's centerpiece
The women's oversized cardigan is establishing itself as the dominant cut this autumn. Worn open over a midi dress or buttoned over a thin turtleneck, it plays with volume and provides what is known as a "wrapped" silhouette—both protective and relaxed. Long models, falling below the hip, are particularly well-suited to H and V body shapes. Our women's sweaters and cardigans include several interpretations of this cut, from the most minimalist to the most intricate.
The fitted turtleneck sweater
In opposition to the volume of the oversized look, the fitted turtleneck sweater is also seeing a marked resurgence in interest. Worn tucked into a pencil skirt or high-waisted trousers, it contours the silhouette while providing the necessary warmth for cold days. In fine merino wool or cashmere, it is often the piece that balances the most structured looks of the season.
The structured short cardigan
Shorter, often with a V-neck or a crossover V-front, the structured cardigan is the transition piece par excellence. It layers easily over a shirt or a long-sleeved t-shirt and adds a touch of depth to simple outfits. Felicie Aussi offers poetic interpretations of this cut, with finishing details and colors designed to integrate into an existing wardrobe effortlessly.
The voluminous sleeve sweater
Puff or bishop sleeves continue to take center stage this season. They visually elongate the silhouette and transform a basic sweater into a statement piece. In textured cotton or alpaca, they drape with a natural ease that avoids any excessive effect. It is the detail that takes a sweater from being an everyday basic to a piece you are proud to wear.
Find our complete selection on appart17.be or come discover our pieces in our three shops at Rue des Grands Carmes 11, 15 and 17 in Brussels.
