This past week, NYC leaped over the fall threshold, with temperatures dropping and radiators very slowly trying to catch up. Now that it’s officially sweater season, we’d like to formally introduce you to our newest sweater style, The Cleo. This wool/cashmere cozy knit has a relaxed but not-too-boxy fit with wide-ribbed sleeves and a body that’s a bit shorter than our other sweaters, perfect to pair with your favorite fall pants. It’s Nikki’s favorite style of the season, so we asked her to show how she wears it three ways.
Because the Cleo sweater has a shorter body and hits at the waistband, it perfectly shows off your favorite pants. As a true New Yorker, Nikki paired her wheat-colored Cleo (which has a really pretty heathered hue) with all black for a day on set, shooting our Spring 2025 campaign.
One of Nikki’s best styling tricks with the Cleo is layering tees under, with the tee peeking out from the bottom hem of the sweater. A full-length tee will show from the hem of the sweater, so pairing it with a stripe or solid will add a hint of pattern or color to your outfit. Here, Nikki styled the Cleo in “Olive” with a contrasting mocha-colored tee and went tonal with her brown pants and khaki trench.
This sweater was basically made for high-waisted pants. The proportions here are spot on, with the sweater perfectly meeting at the waistband. She paired the Cleo in “Cream” with a cool oversized blazer and casual tonal shoes.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably underestimated the potential of the humble cardigan more times than you can count. As cooler weather approaches, the best cardigan outfits are emerging as more than those simply featuring a lackluster layer you grabbed while dashing out the door. Instead, reimagined formulas feel considered, inspired, and downright delightful among the ranks of other fall staples like knee-high boots, blazers, Fair Isle knits, suede bags, and wool coats.
Gone are the days of cardigans being relegated to dowdy, buttoned-up looks. Modern interpretations are chic, adaptable, and capable of being the centerpiece of any outfit—from polished workwear ensembles to evening events. Inspired by the Fall 2024 collections, we believe it is time to elevate the cardigan from an afterthought to a staple. Whether they’re pairing cardigans with wide-leg denim or styling them as coordinates, these outfits not only serve as inspiration but are also entirely shoppable.
Join me in rediscovering the thrill of the classic cardigan with five inventive ways to style it ahead.
1. The Work Horse: A Collared Cardigan + Trousers
getty images//Getty Images
Miu Miu Fall 2024
An easy way to refresh the feel of a cardigan is by opting for a collared version, marrying the best of two knitwear trends—like the buzzy polo knits that have been popular in recent seasons. This layered look achieves a blend of casual sophistication and professional sharpness. The outfit’s high-waisted pleated trousers add a classic menswear touch, while sleek brown leather loafers complete the ensemble, making it ideal for everything from high-profile meetings to refined social gatherings. It’s a smart twist on traditional officewear that speaks volumes in style.
2. Set the Tone: A Coordinated Cardigan Set
Victor Virgile//Getty Images
Ferragamo Fall 2024
Refresh your approach to tonal dressing with an elegant cashmere blend set, a testament to the timeless allure of coordinated ensembles. This formula redefines the trend with its sumptuous textures and harmonious camel tones, feeling distinctive for the season with a longer skirt and vest-style top. The look feels both modern and understated, complemented by a structured handbag in a mid-size that flawlessly transitions from day to night.
3. Color Clash: A Vibrant Cardigan + Colorful Knit Top
getty images//Getty Images
Prada Fall 2024
Prada has single-handedly catapulted the cardigan to stardom this season, sending down the runway an array of color-clashing ensembles paired with a renewed sense of corporate-core polish. Anchored by a tailored maxi skirt—an item du jour this season that pulls at our ’90s nostalgia heartstrings—this ensemble is sharpened with pointed-toe kitten-heel slingbacks, adding a dash of ladylike refinement. This vibrant approach not only highlights Prada’s flair for reinvigorating classic pieces but also sets a cheekier tone for the season’s trend toward unexpected color combinations.
4. Double-Duty: Striped Cardigans + Jeans
Marc Piasecki//Getty Images
Chanel Fall 2024
Two cardigans are most definitely better than one, as Chanel’s innovative runway styling for Fall 2024 so artfully demonstrates. Mastering this look is all about selecting cardigans in complementary tones and distinct lengths—a neatly buttoned, cropped version serves as the perfect underpinning for a more relaxed, open cardigan. To ground the ensemble, mid-wash denim proves timeless, especially when styled with wide-leg jeans and an elongated belt for a hint of drama. This layered approach elevates the classic cardigan while showcasing your refined knack for proportion and texture play.
Nikki Kule is–as they say–a born and bred native New Yorker. She is the person to go to for the best recommendations in the city, specifically when it comes to shopping (both fashion and design, which she has a fantastic eye for), dining (restaurants that are both tried and true and new), and art, which she is both an observer and collector of. In honor of our Fall Collection, an homage to all things New York, we compiled Nikki’s Guide to NYC.
We must start with Bergdorf Goodman, a giant specialty store with unique pieces, from home to accessories, that you won’t find anywhere else. Check out her favorite stops: the makeup and shoe departments. Nikki has memories of dressing room try-ons with her mom at Bergdorf Goodman. Check out The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell, by photographer Shana Novak, which includes a photo of Nikki’s mom’s vintage BG card she’s held on to all these years. KULE also collaborated with Bergdorf Goodman twice! You can still get your hands onthe last few pieces.
Not far from Bergdorf Goodman, just south on Fifth Avenue, is Rockefeller Center. It’s a must-visit, with its uptick of great brands. Specifically, the KULE store 😉 right on the concourse, where you can try our pants, sweaters, tees, and outerwear, stop by the Sock Bar, and take a selfie in the mirror. You can also shop the most iconic New York statements. A little tidbit of something you probably do not know, but aside from Nikki’s father being “The King of Pants,” he also founded a bagel shop in the 1970s on the Upper West Side and the Garment District—something to nosh on 🥯
The Oversized New York City Sweatshirt
The Modern Long Bagel
The Central Park Kap
The Oversized Pretzel Sweatshirt
The Big Apple Socks
The Modern Brooklyn
The Bagel Sock
The Pretzel Kap
The Oversized Bagel Sweatshirt
Nikki likes to shop in specialty stores rather than mega-brands to find items you won’t see elsewhere. On the Upper East Side is Ludivine, a luxury women’s boutique that offers a curated selection of international and domestic designers. She finds something every season.
Then swing down to Dover Street Market, which Nikki recently visited and highly recommends you check out this fall. It showcases high-end clothing with impressive artistic displays and many brands you won’t find at other stores—seven full floors of fun.
Downtown in the NoLiTa area is Oroboro, a small and delightful womenswear boutique featuring rare and emerging designers and fun and unusual home objects. A few steps down Mott Street is Westerlind, which Nikki loves because of its cool outdoorsy gear from different brands. No 6. Store sits on a Little Italy side street. They sell pieces from their group of curated vintage and European designer shoes, apparel, and accessories.
In TriBeCa is La Garçonne. It’s a loft-like shop where you’ll find many hard-to-find brands, both classic and unique. Their curation is thoughtful, displayed in a gallery-like brick-and-mortar space. Make plenty of time for this stop.
The Shopping: Design
Nikki loves designing interiors. You should see her mood boards! Nickey Kehoe is her favorite store from Los Angeles, now in downtown NYC. Some of her favorites from the store are the textiles, wallpapers, small home kitchenware, and lighting fixtures.
On the left is Nikki’s fabric and lighting selection while at Nickey Kehoe, and on the right is it put together in her home
Also Downtown is BDDW, which she likes specifically for ceramics, art, and unusual furniture. They also sell some cool clothing. You could spend a whole day at John Derian in the East Village. Their textiles are a highlight (go there if you’re looking for a throw blanket or bedding), but the knickknacks are not to be missed.
The Invisible Collection is a beautiful townhouse on the Upper East Side that is always fun to visit. It offers a fresh take on classics and a place to discover new design ideas.
Art
Nikki loves visiting her favorite galleries frequently, whether you’re just browsing or buying. Her favorite galleries uptown are Skarsdadt, Turn Gallery, Neue Gallery, Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, and Lévy Gorvy. Turn Gallery, owned by Annika Petersen, shows established and emerging artists. Annika has such an eye for talent. Nikki says she tends to follow the artists she finds at Turn Gallery, such as Karon Lyons and Andy Mister. Lévy Gorvy is another one of her favorites. It has creative and incredible installations, and the building’s architecture is worth seeing, too.
This weekend, Nikki visited Galleria Mattia De Luca Uptown to see a Giorgio Morandi exhibit. It has one of the largest Morandi collections on display. The exhibit is by appointment only, so make a reservation!
Many good galleries are further downtown, especially Gladstone Gallery, Pace, and Harper Books. She notes that she often uses the SEE SAW App for gallery showings (not only in NYC but also in major cities around the world).
Dining
The food in NYC is unparalleled, and of course, Nikki has her favorites. As a big Italian food lover (as evidenced below), she looks for comfort and great, authentic food. New York does this best 🙂
One of her local Uptown favorites is Sette Mezzo. It never disappoints. For fine dining, Le Bernardinis an exceptional place for birthday celebrations.
Downtown, there are many picks. I Sodi is a tough table to get, but it serves some of the best meals. Raf’s on Elizabeth Street has the charm of an old-world bistro. It is a homey and fun. She also loves Il Cantinori and has been going there forever. It’s a New York staple. Houseman is Nikki’s old neighborhood go-to. They have an amazing burger (Nikki doesn’t eat meat now but still thinks of it often). And try the pickles!
Our end-of-summer sale is here, which means it’s the last chance to snag some of your favorite summer items and pieces that will carry you into fall (and beyond). We’re breaking down the best of the sale and ways to style these pieces to wear now and later.
Here are some of our favorite pieces on sale, styled by KULE fans
These are perfect combinations of pieces to wear when you want something super easy to throw on and go. They’re fit for running errands or doing school drop-off. Wear these pieces together, or mix and match through the fall.
It seems as though “heatwave” is now synonymous with “summer,” which makes dressing a serious challenge! To help you, we’ve broken down some NYC-summer-appropriate outfits based on the temperature on the thermostat 😅🥵🔥. Grab a cold beverage, and let’s get dressed!
When it’s hot…
The temperature is rising outside and dipping inside. A light pair of cotton pants with just the right amount of stretch + the airiest button-down imaginable + a cotton sweater for the morning commute/A.C. will do the trick. Remember to hydrate!
The City Pant
The Blanca Shirt
The Cotton Cardigan
The Row Jelly Shoes
The Medium Canvas Tote
The City Pant
The Blanca Shirt
The Cotton Cardigan
Ancient Greek Sandals Jelly Shoes
When you walk outside and get smacked in the face by the heat…
They’re saying that average temperatures are higher this month, and today is no exception. But you have things to do! So, wear a light pair of silk shorts + your favorite cotton tee + comfy sandals made for walking + a basket tote to hold a change of clothes 🥵.
The Silk Reine Short
The Wynn Baby Tee
Underwater Weaving Tote
K.Jacques Sandal
The City Short
Record-breaking temperatures… for the third day in a row…
The heat is on 🔥 with no end in sight, so wrap a silk pareo around your waist + put on a barely-there tank + grab a fan. This heat calls for an Aperol Spritz—or two.
The Silk Elba Pareo
The Ribbed Lenny Tank
Sonder & Holliday Fan
The Row Sandal
The Ribbed Lenny Tank
Or, to really beat the heat, take a break and pop into one of our cool KULE stores 🙂.
The white T-shirt might just be the hardest wardrobe essential to get 100 percent right. True, there isn’t all that much to the “boring” basic, but that’s why the tiniest details can suddenly become huge pain points—for instance if it’s not machine-washable, durable and easy to dress up and down, then I for one don’t have the patience for such a fiddly version of a wardrobe staple that’s supposed to be supremely versatile. That’s why, to determine the absolute best of the best white T-shirts for women, I went straight to the source and asked PureWow staffers, friends and family who will gladly wax poetic about their beloved tees. (Many even admit to buying multiples at one time.) Here, 15 plain white T-shirts for women that have earned the PureWow stamp of approval.
How I Chose the Best White T-Shirts
As noted above, I started right at the source: women who wear white T-shirts on a regular basis. I talked to PureWow staffers of all different ages and body types, as well as friends and family, to narrow down my search to only the best options. Then, I read through hundreds of reviews from shoppers like you, as well as fashion influencers, noting the pros and cons of each style to confirm our hand-picked styles truly live up to the hype. The result? A list of 15 plain white T-shirts I feel confident will fit right in with your existing wardrobe, and may even become your new favorite basic.
For those on the hunt for a durable, slightly heavier cotton tee, Kule is definitely your best bet. They don’t come cheap, but the opaque material is wonderfully soft, sturdy and won’t stretch out or shrink even after multiple wears and washes. I originally fell in love with Kule’s striped tees, but now I just want them in every color, solid or patterned. They hang really nicely and feel really sturdy, like they’ll last for a long time. And they’re great for tucking into high-waist jeans. I will say, they run a little small—I’m usually between a medium and a large in tops and find the large is a much better fit across the board at Kule. At $75 a pop, this boxy tee is one of the most expensive on this list, but if you do happen to fall in love with the style, you can score 20 percent off by adding two or more, of any color, to your cart.
trench 
