What We Want to Buy Now

Clockwise, from left to right: Alice + Olivia’s crocheted floral sweater, H&M’s smiley-yellow cardigan, Co’s luxe cashmere crew and Ganni’s hot pink sweater with crystal buttons.

By Janet Kelly

IN THE infancy of My Little Bird, ace contributor Catherine Clifford wrote a post about Botox and emotion.

“The mechanism by which Botox may lift mood stems from a counterintuitive aspect of emotion-generation. Good things happen, you feel happy, so you smile; bad things, you feel sad, you frown. Sure, but it works in the other direction, too—your body helps your brain figure out what to feel.”

Could that also work when you wear a bright color—change your attitude from sad to glad?  Frankly, I have no idea, but it just may be worth investing in spring sweaters in sprightly hues to test the theory. Below, ones we’ve chosen for the trial:

LEFT: The only thing that isn’t classic about The Frankie Shop’s Joya Oversized Wool-Blend Turtleneck sweater ($295, Moda Operandi) is its shade of vibrant green. Made mostly of merino wool, it has a cozy vibe and just the right amount of slouch. When these uncertain days of March need a dose of color.

RIGHT: Don’t reserve—I wouldn’t—this ribbed cardigan from Ganni for a special occasion. Instead, make any day special when you wear a rosy pink sweater adorned with shiny, crystal buttons. The spiffy cardi is $304 and is “coming soon” to Matches Fashion.

LEFT: One thing’s for sure—you’ll get noticed in neon yellow. And how could you not break into a smile when you slip on &Other Stories’ wool and mohair sweater ($149, Nordstrom). If you were intent on making a statement, you could pair it with a skirt like the one pictured above. We found something similar on the Outnet—a pleated poplin skirt by Christopher John Rogers. The only one left in stock is a size 4; it sells for $628.

RIGHT: Tout à Coup’s name captured my attention. Turns out it’s a Hong Kong brand with a French girl accent. In any case, this powder-blue rib-knit cardigan ($131, Farfetch) will spark joy however and whenever—e.g., layered under a warm puffer now—you wish to wear it. Don’t leave it on your desk chair, though—it’s far too pretty.

LEFT: If wool makes your sensitive skin itch, try alpaca (it supposedly pills less) as in Everlane’s sea glass waffle-stitch polo. It looks smart with black cropped pants now and will be an elegant topper for white jeans when the weather warms up. It sells for $125 and also comes in tan, black and white and white.

CENTER: This Easter egg-colored merino-wool polo comes courtesy of 12 Storeez, a line designed by Russian twin sisters who live in Paris. Pair the close-fitting style with with jeans or trousers or layer under sleeveless dresses and blazers. It’s $131 at Farfetch. A similar version—in lyocell—is available in an orangey-red for $119, also at Farfetch.

RIGHT: If this wool-and-alpaca blend sweater happened to be in my closet, it would be my go-to knit on unpredictably cold spring days. Puff sleeves add a fashion-y feel to the generously cut knit with a cropped hem. It’s $120 from Cos Stores.

LEFT: This smiley-face colored cable-knit cardigan with ribbed collar, hem and cuffs is $24.99 at H&M. Heads-up, wallet watchers and anyone else.

RIGHT: Less expensive but still very spendy, Los Angeles-based Co is an alternative to Jil Sander’s minimalist looks. The brand’s boyfriend crewneck is an oversized sweater in 100% cashmere with a boxy silhouette. Yes, a splurge but in such an irresistible, gorgeous green. It’s $950 at Nordstrom.

LEFT: Elyce Arons has kept the Kate Spade spirit alive in Frances Valentine, as this angora wool-blend Darling Cardigan ($398) with a pink poppy print, sourced from a vintage watercolor, proves.  Whether you want to complete the look with the matching shell ($298) —or not—it will brighten your winter wardrobe and maybe your mood, too. Green corduroy pants optional.

RIGHT: Delicate trim at the neck and hem adds an unexpected dash of femininity to Boden’s  milkshake-colored Fluffy Ribbed Sweater. Zhuzh up your everyday jeans. The v-neck alpaca-and-wool knit sells for $130. BTW, it also comes in basil green.

LEFT: When you can’t make up your mind what color you want to wear, cover your bases with Alex Mill’s merino wool jewel-neck cardigan. The color-blocked “Francis” sweater, inspired by ’50s pop art, sells for $155.

CENTER: How cute is this cotton cardigan ($79.50, Nordstrom) with its lively harlequin/argyle pattern that pops on the white background? Note to self: There are only a few left in limited sizes. If you hesitate you’ll regret it in May and June.

RIGHT: I doubt that Alice + Olivia’s designer Stacey Bendet, who has her own quirky approach to fashion, ever met a color she didn’t like. In someone else’s hands, this cropped crochet cardigan with embroidered flowers and buttons could resemble your grandmother’s afghan. Instead I see it as an eye-catching top over dresses or high-rise pants on a warmish March day. It’s $440 at Alice + Olivia.

LEFT: I know it’s white and this post is about color, but I’m making an exception because Sea New York’s intricately crocheted lace sweater with extra-puffy sleeves and fringe detailing is made for celebrating—and boosting endorphins. It’s available at Nordstrom for $495.

RIGHT: Half- and quarter-zip sweaters are popular and stylish, but practically speaking there are many occasions—getting a hair cut, trying on clothes, for example— when I’d prefer not  to pull something over my head. L.L. Bean’s zip-front cardigan ($59.95) comes in nine other good colors, in addition to this warm coral.

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