I'm Copying Katie Holmes's Sweater to Look Elevated This Winter

An outdoorsy mood swept the fall/winter 2024 collections, with the likes of No.21, Skall Studio, and Ulla Johnson putting their own spin on traditional ski sweaters. Fair Isle knitwear dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and the technique was developed on an island called, you guessed it, Fair Isle off the northeastern coast of Scotland and was used for fisherman's hats. However, looking at one of these knits doesn't just evoke visions of the royals in Balmoral. From Aspen to Gstaad, they have become a symbol of Alpine style and the unofficial uniform for fireside fondue and hot chocolate after a long day in the mountains.

It is a classic that comes out of hibernation every winter, but this year, Fair Isle has been positioned as a dominant knitwear trend, with everyone from Loewe to Loro Piana to Gucci leaning into chalet-coded sweaters. While skiwear mega-brands like Moncler and Bogner will always have traditional Fair Isles in their winter lineups, you'll also find fashion-forward brands putting their own spin on the traditional pattern—Molly Goddard, Khaite, and Suzie Kondi are names to note here.

On Katie Holmes: A.P.C. sweater

Now that it's after Thanksgiving, we're ready to join Katie Holmes—who was spotted in an A.P.C Fair Isle sweater with horseshoe jeans and burgundy ballet flats—in wearing this trend. Although her outfit is centered on basics, she shows how expensive this knitwear trend can look, especially when you opt for sweaters in chunky, luxurious yarn and a muted color palette. After all, this humble knit is associated with the most luxurious vacation there is—skiing.

On Hailey Bieber: Khaite Suzette Fair Isle Cashmere Cardigan in Camel($2380); Saint Laurent Manhattan in Box Leather Bag ($4200)

Hailey Bieber also modernized this traditional holiday knit last December by wearing Khaite's cardigan with a micro mini, a baseball cap, and loafers. She proved it's a sweater that can look just as good in Los Angeles as it does in Aspen. Keep reading for our edit of the best Fair Isle knits, whether you're heading to the mountains or not.

Shop Fair Isle Sweaters