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Iconic Style: The Open Back Sweater, 3 Ways

Every spring and fall, with the changing of the seasons, we revisit those tried-and-true staples that have been tucked away in our closets. Without fail, we rush to curate the upcoming outfit possibilities surrounding these items. When the weather drops, we break out the cold-season necessities– boots, coats and essential sweaters. When the weather warms, we gravitate towards those lightweight, transitional sweater and jackets that herald the brighter days ahead. Specifically, we all have that one favorite knit in our closet that we’ve had since the winter of last year: our trusted fail-safe that we reach for every time we aren’t sure what to wear. This long-loved basic might be keeping you warm year after year, but let us suggest a new wardrobe staple for you to wear – that’s guaranteed to refresh and become a perennial favorite.

Enter the Parisian classic open back sweater. It may seem baffling – a piece of clothing meant to keep you warm yet designed to show skin – but qualities to appreciate include: 1) the endless layering opportunities, 2) how easily they transition over seasons, making it a year-round option, 3) the effortless combination of sexy and casual. Our iconic wardrobe staple returns this season, and better than ever. See how to style our new season open back sweaters in 3 versatile ways.

Look 1: Casual Everyday

The art of French style lies in its balance. It requires finding that perfect amount of two opposites – masculine and feminine, polished and disheveled – to master the art of imperfection. The ELSY backless sweater is our go-to piece to help achieve the look – a seamless mix, not to mention incredibly easy-to-wear because of its lightweight fabric and flattering cut. To keep it casual, simply pair with your favorite wide leg denim or mom jeans. The ELSY is made of fabric that feels like your coziest loungewear – It’s a way of dressing that’s both easy to style and to wear.

Look 2: Sophisticated Layers

Elevated yet never overdressed is another key to French fashion. Mix and layer your pieces correctly to achieve that perfect level of sophistication. Never overthink and do it instinctively – with the help of our FILL open back sweater to make things easy. It’s a great layering piece and available in many colors to fit whatever aesthetic you are looking to pair it with. Build an outfit with your favorite floral midi dress and booties, throw the FILL on top with a belt for an added touch of casual. Effortlessly take your look from day-to-night with a simple swap of the sweater for a crossbody bag.

Look 3: Chic Versatility

We love the ever-evolving experimentation of making sweaters more valuable, which is why most of our sweaters are reversible! Turn the ELSY around for a cardigan style, swap your jeans for a skirt, and transform your casual pullover look to a sleek cardigan fit for the office. It’s a piece that you can build multiple looks around, for multiple occasions. This light-weight backless sweater will quickly become a closet fundamental that will transform across all seasons.

Ultimately, the open back sweater is as comfortable as it is chic. Although they have a relaxed feel, these pieces give endless opportunities for dressing up. Whether you’re in the market for some fresh knits or just looking for future inspiration, our collection of backless sweaters has it all. If the low back sweater isn’t what you are looking for, you can browse our full sweater collection to find another option to fulfill your sartorial needs. From a spring knit such as our HOA sweater, to a classic Breton stripe sweater, and everything in-between. So, although we may all have our beloved sweaters from years before, an occasional wardrobe refresh is a much-needed treat.