Two models in white turtlenecks wrapped in a red blanket.

How to Style Your Cable Knit Jumpers

The Gift of the Season:

How to Style Your Cable Knit

With roots tracing back to the windswept Aran Islands, Aran, cardigans, knitwear and cable knit jumpers were originally worn by fishermen braving Ireland’s Atlantic coast. Defined by their braided texture and exceptional warmth, these early knits laid the foundation for styles that remain popular today. By the 1950s, this wardrobe staple had moved beyond its working roots and into the fashion spotlight.

Before long, style icons including Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen, and John F. Kennedy were all wearing the cable knit, helping establish it as a wardrobe classic. Ralph Lauren introduced the unisex Polo cable knit sweater in 1973, and it has remained a signature ever since.

As cooler weather arrives, there’s no better time to invest in a cable knit jumper. A longstanding wardrobe staple, a cable knitted jumper brings warmth, texture, and versatility to seasonal dressing. Ralph Lauren’s signature designs continue to showcase how to style a cable knit jumper, offering timeless knitwear throughout the season. Below, discover some of Ralph Lauren’s signature designs, along with styling inspiration for the months ahead.
Close-up of model wearing a cream beanie and cable-knit turtleneck.
Stack of folded cream, green and red cable-knit jumpers.

Choosing the Perfect Knit

From lightweight cotton crewnecks for transitional weather to chunky cashmere and oversized jumpers suited to colder days, cable knitwear offers plenty of styling options such as smart casual style and more throughout the season. Material, weight, colour, and fit can all influence how a knit feels and are all worth considering when thinking about the perfect cable knit jumper for the months ahead.

Among the luxury knitwear options for versatile styling, these designer cable knit jumpers work across a range of aesthetics, from preppy/collegiate and coastal/nautical to equestrian/polo and hygge-inspired loungewear. Their ability to move effortlessly between casual and smart-casual looks makes cable knitwear a timeless staple that never feels out of place.
Close-up of a dark green cable-knit jumper showing its textured stitching.

The Luxury of Material

The fit of a cable knit can completely shape an outfit. For men, chunkier styles pair well with denim jeans or chinos for a relaxed look, while slimmer fits work well with tailored trousers for smarter occasions. For women, cable knit jumpers can be layered over skirts for added movement or styled with tailored separates for a more polished finish.

If you're looking for knitted jumper ideas, the silhouette can make all the difference. Pairing an oversized cable knit jumper works particularly well with relaxed layers, while more fitted styles create structure and balance. Cashmere and wool blends add warmth, texture, and comfort, making them ideal for autumn style, winter layers and spring outfits.
A model wearing a cream cable-knit turtleneck with a red knit blanket draped over the shoulders.
Folded cable-knit jumpers with knit hats and gloves displayed on a wooden table.
Close-up of a navy blue jumper showing its textured stitching.

Weight and Presence

Chunky cable knit jumpers can be worn under padded gilets, roomy bombers, and elegant trenches, while lighter weight cotton cable knits work well under weekend denim trucker jackets and tailored herringbone coats. If you fancy an alternative to a sweater, check out Ralph's designer cable knit cardigans which are inspired by America’s equestrian set, as well as celebrated sportspeople like US Open umpires.
Model wearing a red cable-knit jumper beneath a grey cardigan and collared shirt.

The Art of Texture, Proportion, and Colour

The beauty of cable knitwear can be found in every detail: in the richness of its fibre, the precision of its stitching, and the intricate heritage patterns of its braided rope knit. A cable knit jumper is a serious style canvas that invites the wearer to play with texture, colour, proportion, and contrast to create a look that oozes character.
Woodland landscape with trees and green foliage.

Fit and Silhouette

When it comes to stress-free men’s styling, chunky cable knit jumpers deliver a casual but tasteful aesthetic when paired with denim jeans or pressed chinos, while fitted cable knit jumpers offer a streamlined and sophisticated look that’s better suited to smarter occasions like lunch dates at the clubhouse. Meanwhile, women can layer relaxed fit cable knits over floaty feminine skirts for added ethereal movement, or tuck slim fit sweaters into tailored trousers for a modern, polished look.

Cashmere-wool blends are adored not only for their luxurious texture but because they effortlessly adhere to the body in a way that few other fabrics can. Style lovers choose cable-knits made from this fibre combo for its superior insulation and sensual feel, as well as the way it clings to the body, enhancing the silhouette.
A model wearing a cream knit beanie, quarter-zip and scarf.
A model wearing a red cable-knit jumper layered under a grey cardigan with a fur hat.
A model wearing a red cable-knit turtleneck, navy puffer coat and tartan scarf.
Two models in cream cable-knit jumpers and light trousers, with a beanie and scarf.
A model wearing a red cable-knit jumper over a white shirt and black tie, with a black cap.

Colours:
Complimentary and Contrasting

When shopping Ralph Lauren’s cable knit jumpers, you’ll be spoiled for choice by the array of shades on offer. Opt for can’t-go-wrong neutrals like white and black, delicate pastels like Caramel Pink and Andover Cream, or fiery autumnal hues like Park Avenue Red.
Stack of folded yellow, brown and blue cable-knit jumpers.

From Day to Night

Transitioning seamlessly between day and evening, a cable knit jumper can take you from an afternoon in the park walking the dog to dinner with friends at an after-dark soiree. It all depends on what you team it with.

Men can turn a casual jumper into a smart jumper outfit by layering a crisp white shirt underneath and swapping their Saturday jeans for a pair of tailored trousers. Ladies, on the other hand, can dress up comfy cable knitwear with a bohemian maxi skirt, a pair of stiletto heels, and a statement necklace before hitting the town.
A model wearing a red cable-knit jumper under a black leather jacket, with a shirt, tie and cap.
Model wearing a cream knitted cardigan over a striped collared shirt.
Close-up of folded cream and red cable-knit jumpers.

How to Style Your Cable Knit Recap

Ralph Lauren's cable knit jumpers boast a rich and colorful history, spanning the windswept islands of Aran to the heartland of America. Whether dressed up or down, they remain a cornerstone of every wardrobe, as utilitarian as they are stylish. This season, gift Polo cable knitwear to that special someone in your life, or treat the whole family.