When it comes to what to wear with sweaters, the possibilities are endless. This is great news, because it also means it’s super easy to take a classic fall sweater or summer cardigan and make it your own. Here are a few general rules of thumb for seemingly tricky styles—and some ways we like to personalize the look. But first things first: Always make sure you’re starting with quality sweaters like our cashmere sweaters, cotton sweaters, eco-knit sweaters, alpaca sweaters, merino wool sweaters or yak wool sweaters.

It’s all about balance, so pair that slouchy, boyfriend-style cardigan over a more fitted cropped tank. Make it dressy with a silk skirt or keep it lowkey with comfy joggers. If you’re working with a classic like a crewneck sweater, try pairing with a cool trouser for work or denim. Extra touches like gold chains or a scarf in a color that pops will infuse more of your personal signature into the look.

Going cropped gives you lots of opportunities to experiment. An easy starting point is with a high-waist bottom—a high rise jean, wide leg pant, or midi skirt is an effortless match that can adapt a cropped sweater to lots of occasions. From there, it’s all about the details—the scrunched sleeves that show off a wrist full of shimmery gold bracelets, or the longer hem of a button-up shirt you layer underneath.

We’re all for affordable sweaters that last longer, so you’ll want to know how to wash sweaters to keep their longevity intact. Here are a few secrets we use to keep all our faves looking fresh. 

• Go a few wears between washes. Trust us, it’s ok and will help your sweater last. You can refresh with a sweater spritz (try 90% water, 10% vodka) if needed. 

• Turn it inside out before a wash (it helps reduce pilling, but more on that later). 

• If your sweater is labeled for machine washing, choose the shortest, most delicate cycle and cold water. Want to know how to hand wash sweaters? Just fill a clean sink or tub with cool water, add a gentle detergent, and swish your inside-out sweater around before letting it soak for 10ish minutes. Rinse, press against the sides of the sink to drain excess water, and lay flat to dry. 

• Air drying is usually the best option to avoid possible shrinking and contact that can lead to pilling, but doing a partial, as-low-as-you-can-go spin cycle in the dryer (especially if you’ve hand washed and it’s still super wet) can help. Then remove and lay flat to finish drying.  

There’s almost unanimous agreement on one thing when it comes to how to store sweaters: avoid hangers. When sweater season is in full effect, a short stack of neatly folded sweaters (with the bulkiest on the bottom so the stack doesn’t topple) is the go-to for your drawer or shelf. When it’s time to pack them away for the season, opt for a moisture- and bug-resistant plastic bin or garment bag. Make sure they’ve been freshly washed, then fold and pack them up for next time. 

If you really, really need to hang them for some reason, we recommend folding them first, then sliding through the middle opening of a hanger.