Are sweaters the new scarves? The “knot sweater effect” from TikTok to the runway

In the latest wave of men's fashion shows, wearing a sweater tied around the neck appears to be an increasingly widespread styling element. This gesture, born out of practical needs, has returned in the fashion proposals of the latest season not only through nostalgic references but as a way to break the static nature of normcore in the most basic outfits. From the runways to TikTok style tips, the sweater can essentially become, through knots, crosses, and layering games, an accessory capable of redefining the entire attitude of a look.

From everyday life to the runway

In reality, this way of wearing the classic sweater seems to have originated right on TikTok: between fit checks and viral tutorials, some fashion creators teach how to knot sweater sleeves in different ways. While quiet luxury nostalgics transform chunky sweaters into enveloping scarves over long coats, those who prefer preppy style tie the pullover with the precision of a tie over striped shirts or polos. Another appreciated technique, more casual, is the crossbody sweater, where the sweater is tied diagonally across the torso, while for the female audience it is recommended to wear it at the waist, knotted in the center or on the side.

The idea is to use sweaters tied in this way as strategic pops of color to brighten up monochromatic outfits. In this regard, this trend was more recently consecrated in the latest Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 where Matthieu Blazy, probably referencing an iconic Diana Vreeland look, proposed a total black ensemble with a sort of red shawl at the waist, a look immediately replicated by some creators who used a classic sweater knotted on the side instead of a large foulard.

Knotted sweaters at fashion week

This “knot sweater effect” was also spotted during the recent men's fashion weeks. Ralph Lauren, who practically invented this style, showed in Milan a series of pullovers worn over wool polos and classic loden coats or tied at the waist. Something similar was seen at Etro and Paul Smith. In particular, in Smith's case, several striped or classic Norwegian-patterned sweaters were layered over a gray coat. Even Rocco Iannone at Ferrari adopted the same technique, presenting in his latest Pre-Fall collection sweaters with rough textures casually knotted over leather suits or technical fabrics.

For Alessandro Sartori at Zegna, the sweater becomes a family heirloom crossed by memories and stories, rethought as a deconstructible and reusable garment: in the latest FW26 collection, scarves appeared that seemed to be made from the sleeves of a classic pullover, which in some looks is wrapped around the waist like a belt. At N.21 and Moschino, they play with leopard-print and striped sweaters knotted irregularly, while at Lanvin we find an oversized double-ribbed one that almost functions as a cape. Also during Berlin Fashion Week, SF1OG showed a sort of thin striped polo tied around the neck like a skinny scarf, while Andrej Gronau paired pastel-toned sweaters tied at the waist with high square-toe leather boots.

Both ERL and Ami Paris evoke the preppy style suggested by the sweater tied over the shoulders: in the case of the latter brand, the pullover becomes a sort of makeshift scarf that adds a chaotic touch of flair to the look. And in this and other cases, the knotted sweater has been used to create material contrasts on monochromatic looks: if Aiayu wrapped a little sweater around a cardigan, at ssstein the knotted pullover helps define the silhouette of a long silk tank top.

The numerous styling possibilities of this garment are sometimes translated into real experiments, as in the case of JW Anderson and Our Legacy, who in their most recent collections present sweaters that self-knot, creating games of crosses and drapes. In short, on these cold days the advice is simple: leave the scarf in the closet and keep a spare sweater handy; worst case scenario, if the cold gets worse, you’ll always have a “plan B” to wear—or better yet, to knot.