Effortless style: how to master the sweater drape like Gracie Adams and Kendall Jenner
From the Dior, Chanel and Loewe SS26 runways to the wardrobes of Meghan Markle and Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan, the preppy-style tied sweater trend is taking over
If you’ve ever wanted to look both booked and busy, effortlessly insouciant and a touch preppy – and definitely like a fashion person – then you really need to think about your jumpers. More specifically, how to wear them.
The most recent fashion season, brimming as ever with new ideas, has breathed new life into an old one: the art of tying a jumper around your shoulders.
This is something that resonates with Charlotte Hicks, founder and creative director of womenswear label Esse Studios.
“For me, the appeal of knotting a sweater over the shoulders lies in its effortlessness. It’s a small styling gesture that shifts a look instantly – adding intentional dimension without ever feeling overconsidered. There’s a sense of nonchalance to it, almost like wearing a sculptural accessory,” she says. “It carries a quiet confidence and ease, yet remains undeniably classic. It’s a subtle way to introduce texture and warmth without overwhelming the silhouette, a kind of modern armour that still feels undone and relaxed.”
Inspiration for how to play with the look abounds off the runways too. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, wore a black jumper draped over a white button-down to watch the LA Dodgers with husband Prince Harry (replete with matching Dodgers baseball caps) in October. Kendall Jenner is another fan of the drape rather than a knot, draping a grey knit over a pinstripe shirt to offer a fresh take on business casual.