Sweating Sweaters

Isabel Marant Sweater from Spring 2012 collection.

In San Francisco, where I live, it’s never very hot nor very cold.

But it being technically Fall and the Holiday Season, one really wants to load up on sweaters.

That “one” would be me.

Sweaters are cozy and cuddly and layer like no other.  Less structured than a jacket, more stylish than most coats, they can be deployed to soften-up leather pants or dress-down a dress.  Or just be the dress (note above photo.)

Problem is (there are always problems,) I run hot.  Antidepressants and hyperactivity wreak havoc on my body temperature.  So beyond the obvious sweater don’ts  (not too itchy, frumpy, or festive) sweaters must provide the following:

a) A little warmth while not being too warm (sweating in sweaters is not pretty)

b) A large enough neck opening so that when I do get too warm I can quietly slip it off without dismantling my hair (bad-messy hair, not good-messy hair, is just plain bad).  This of course is only an issue for non-cardigan/button down models.

c) Under-arm clearance (either room or vents, so sweat can’t generate, and if it does, has someplace to go)

Is that too much to ask?

Herewith are some of my favorites that fit most or all of my criteria:

Markus Lupfer slouchy cable knit:  Catch those cables!  Behold those holes!  Marvel at the perfect marriage of classic design and deconstruction! Provides optimal warmth while allowing for proper ventilation:

Helmut Lang cropped shaggy pullover:  The shorter front gives one’s under-layers their proper due, while the long back covers the ass, always a bonus.  Wide neck perfect for head/hair clearance:

Any animal print cardigan =  Fucking adorable.  The sweater below is from last year’s Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony collaboration (still available on eBay.) Tranforms the tamest outfit into something fierce.  Jslow thinks I’m od’ing on animal prints, but I beg to differ.  So Grandpa-meets-vixen, I think I can make room.

No sweat.