Sweata weatha
🍂 Breaking down my favorite sweaters in TV + film
Well, it’s about 2 months late, but here in the midwest we are finally into the stretch of weather when I stop sweating all day, every day. Hallelujah; it’s sweata weatha!
Last Friday night, Brad, Abigail and I were all cozied up and ready for family movie night and we landed on The Mighty Ducks for the 80th time. This is a crowd-pleaser in our house because it: 1) Takes place in Minneapolis, 2) Has lots of hijinks and rude kiddo one-liners, and 3) Is about hockey and teamwork and having a growth mindset. Awwww <3
But while we were watching this last time around, I noticed something new: Gordon Bombay’s brown sweater in this scene.
Just stunning. Not the lesson or the coaching. The hazelnut-brown, chunky but well-fitting knit sweater.
When the egg splatters all over it, I die a little inside. Nooooo, not the sweater!!!
Anyway, it had me heavily distracted for the rest of the movie, and I felt compelled to create this list of all my favorite iconic sweaters from TV and film.
So let’s break it down…
My Favorite Sweaters in Film + TV (Dudes)
6) Every Sweater Every Character Wears in Succession
Clearly the production budget for this show did not exist because the knitwear on HBO’s Succession was out of control. Costume designer Michelle Matland selected cowled cable-nits, gorgeous cashmeres, and boiled wool to reflect the comfort, luxury, sophistication, and opulence of the Roys. Logan Roy in this sweater is ridiculous in the best kind of way.
5) Hansel’s Funeral Look in Zoolander
There are a bunch of great menswear choices in Zoolander (honorable mention to Derek’s red knitted sweater when he thinks he has the black lung). But the sweater star of the movie is really Hansel’s bold black sweater with the skeletal white stitching that he wears to the funeral of Derek’s roommates. Such a vibe.
4) David Rose’s Everything in Schitt’s Creek
Schitt’s Creek costume designer Debra Hanson worked with Dan Levy to source hundreds of designer sweaters for David. But due to the tight budget, the team had to carefully mine eBay and consignment stores to score pieces from designers like Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, and Rick Owens. Sidenote: I *am* David Rose.
3) Mr. Rodger’s Red Cardigan
This red knit cardigan worn by Fred Rogers is the definition of iconic (and fun fact: it was knitted by his mom!). The creator and host of the children's program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood wore this sweater for more than 30 years on PBS while he sang, “Won't you be my neighbor?” Rogers donated the sweater to the Smithsonian.
2) The Dude’s Pendleton Sweater in The Big Lebowski
Excuse me but this sweater is a Pendleton knit piece and it does NOT fuck around. The Dude’s sweater (which the character must have thrifted or inherited somehow) is called the Westerley Sweater and was introduced in 1972 by Pendleton Woolen Mills. The pattern and style are known as a Cowichan, after the knits made by the Indigenous people of Vancouver Island. The sweater now sells for $250 or so.
1) Harry’s Cream Cable Knit Sweater in When Harry Met Sally
Billy Crystal was on The Today Show a few weeks ago and mentioned that he thinks he accidentally donated the infamous cream-colored cable knit sweater to the UCLA theater department that his character wears in When Harry Met Sally. Anywayyyyy, this is my favorite movie of all-time and I love Harry Burns 4eva.
My Favorite Sweaters in Film + TV (Ladies)
6. Corey’s Cropped Baby-Blue Pullover in Empire Records
Liv Tyler’s character, Corey, and her iconic sweater in Empire Records are both a little sweet and a little slutty. Styling and cinematic perfection, 90s edition.
5. Andrea’s Lumpy Cerulean Sweater The Devil Wears Prada
Unlike the other sweaters on this list, this one is famous for being unattractive and embarrasing. While the piece doesn’t fit Anne Hathaway’s character properly, it’s stylistically pretty neutral (it’s giving Target Merona). It’s more the content of the scene that makes this sweater so iconic. Miranda Priestly roasts her new assistant, Andrea (Anne Hathaway), to a crisp over the smallest little smirk she makes when the Runway magazine team is making a minor styling decision. Anyway, this cerulean sweater is now a part of cinematic history. It’s lumpy
4. Casey’s JCrew Linen Blend Sweater in Scream
Costume designer Cynthia Bergstrom created Drew Barrymore’s look in the 1996 movie Scream. The point was to show a cozy, comfortable, cute high school girl getting ready to eat popcorn and watch a VHS tape with her boyfriend. According to Bergstrom, “We definitely wanted the sweater to be light in color so it would show blood. When Drew put that sweater on, I remember that she loved the sleeves. The sleeves were long and they came down, covering a portion of her hand and just sort of let the fingers be seen.” Incredible decision-making all around.
3. Olivia Pope’s Entire Wardrobe in Scandal
Olivia Pope can ROCK a damn sweater, thanks to Scandal’s costume designer, Lyn Paolo. Paolo intentionally mixed high-end fashion like Prada and Dior with accessible brands, to create Olivia’s capable and powerful meets sensual and vulnerable aesthetic.
2. Sandra Bullock’s Wardrobe in While You Were Sleeping
One of my favorite non-holiday holiday movies, While You Were Sleeping, is peak urban midwestern 90s outerwear fashion. Sandra Bullock’s character Lucy is GIVING cozy layers and messy hair and I love every scene and every styling decision. She’s a mess. An adorable, cozy mess.
1. Amanda’s Cashmere Everything in The Holiday
I mean…all hail the queen. Of course Cameron Diaz’s wardrobe slays in The Holiday—it was directed by Nancy Meyers so even if the rest of the movie sucked (which it doesn’t), the styling would still be A++++++. Her character, Amanda, is donned in luxe cashmere throughout the film and I’m sorry but this is NOT what I look like when I’m lounging around my house.
Honorable mention for favorite outerwear goes to Audrey Hepburn’s character in my second favorite movie (after When Harry Met Sally), Charade.
Ok, who’d I miss?
"it's giving target merona" lollll. since i know you're watching full house, keep an eye out for the most perfect red slightly oversized mock neck sweater with drop shoulders worn by aunt becky. I clocked it on one of our rewatches but can't remember what episode it's in. I've scoured ebay and etsy for it/something like it!
I think about Harry’s cream cable knit sweater with envy about once a week every winter!