Not Cardigans, Not Turtlenecks: These 4 Knitwear Trends Are Already Defining 2026

We're firmly in the hardest part of winter, where the temperatures are really cold but the holiday joy is long gone. For the final chilly stretch, getting dressed in enough layers to keep warm can feel like a major chore. How many ways can you really wear your favorite turtleneck sweater?

Thankfully, 2026 has already ushered in a new era of knitwear that feels a bit more playful than we've been seeing in recent seasons. This probably has to do with the fact that quiet luxury is slowly making its way out of the trend cycle, and a wave of maximalism is coming in. What does that mean for cozy knits?

For one, they're coming in bold pastel tones instead of muted neutrals. Cutesy knit bandanas are the accessory du jour, and instead of wearing one sweater, the most fashionable people you know are investing in sweaters that come prelayered. It's all quite quirky and the perfect way to inject some joy into this notoriously dark and drab time of the year.

Below, see all the knitwear trends of 2026 to know and buy now.

Knit Wool Skirts

If you think skirts are a seasonal item that can only be worn in the warmer months, you're wrong! Sure, you have to be a little bit more creative with layering, but it's fun to experiment with colorful stockings and wear knee-high boots. Also, it's easy if you opt for a sweater skirt, which adds extra warmth and texture. We've been thinking about a particular style with a crisscross band and warrior print by Paolina Russo that we saw at Copenhagen Fashion Week a couple of seasons ago.

Bold Pastel Tones

Winter is dark and drab, so people tend to gravitate toward darker colors and tones. But why wear neutrals when you can wear bright and bold pastels instead? The color trend is one of our fashion predictions for the year, and this is the quickest way to start incorporating it into your wardrobe.

Knits on Knits on Knits

On the fall/winter 2025 runways, a funky little style emerged. It looked like layered knits, but most of the time, it was just one sweater made to look like many sweaters. Sweaters, cardigans, and knit long-sleeve tops made prelayered are everywhere. Why shouldn't they be? The design takes all of the guesswork out of deciding what will look good.

Knit Bonnets

There's a tinge of twee in all of the biggest trends of the moment, and that 2010s feeling is certainly the case with knit bonnets, which are everywhere. Sandy Liang's popular Peck Bonnet with adorable scalloped edges is already impossible to get your hands on (although the brand just did another restock), and it's for good reason. A knit bonnet can keep your head or neck warm, depending on how you wear it, but it isn't as unruly as a long scarf. It's also just adorable.