A Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater is one of those pieces that never looks dated, because the cable pattern itself is a traditional one. What changes from year to year is how people wear it. This season the focus is on layering: a cable knit over a collared shirt, a sleeveless knit under a coat, a zip-through knit that comes on and off as the temperature changes. Below, we look at four cable-knit styles from our collections, explain what each one is good for and suggest simple ways to wear them.
Maison Arelle is an independent reseller. We are not an official dealer for Polo Ralph Lauren or any other brand, and we are not affiliated with or authorised by them. Brand names are used only to describe the products on each page.
Cable knit in one paragraph
Cable knit is a texture, not a shape. Strands of knit are twisted over each other in a repeating pattern, which gives the surface a raised, rope-like look. It reads as classic and a little traditional, so it pairs well with plain pieces underneath. A good rule: let the knit be the pattern in your outfit and keep everything else quiet.
The full-zip: the most flexible layer
The Polo Ralph Lauren Kabeltrui met Volledige Rits en Hoge Kraag combines a classic cable pattern with a full front zip. The page lists a comfortable high collar, long sleeves, ribbed cuffs and hem, and the embroidered Polo Pony as the signature detail. It is described as easy to combine with jeans, chinos or smart trousers for a stylish casual look. Colours are white, black, grey, beige and dark navy, in sizes S to XL.
Why choose it: a zip means you can adjust the layer without taking it off. Open it over a T-shirt in a warm room, close it up for the walk home.
How to wear it: navy, over a white Oxford shirt, with grey trousers. Or black, over a plain T-shirt, with dark jeans and boots.
The unisex crew: a classic to wear alone or under a coat
The Polo Unisex katoenen kabelgebreide trui met klassieke uitstraling is a cotton-based cable-knit sweater with a rich texture and a timeless look. The page says it can be worn alone or as an extra layer on cooler days, and that it works with jeans, trousers and other casual outfits. It is unisex and comes in a very wide range of colours, including khaki, blue, red, white, grey, dark brown, pink and yellow, in sizes XS to L.
Why choose it: because the colour range is so wide, this is the one to pick if you want colour in your winter wardrobe. A khaki or dark brown one is a quiet neutral; red or yellow is a deliberate statement.
How to wear it: over a collared shirt with the collar out, or alone with straight jeans. Under a long camel or grey coat it looks polished without effort.
The women's cardigan with a polo collar
For a more tailored cable knit, the Polo Ralph Lauren Kabelgebreid Vest met Klassieke Polokraag is a women's cotton cable-knit cardigan with a classic polo collar. The page says it can be worn with trousers, jeans or skirts, and fits both casual and smart-casual styles, including as an extra layer across seasons. Colours: dark navy, black, grey, white. Sizes listed are XS, M, L and XL.
How to wear it: buttoned up as a top with high-waisted trousers, or open over a plain T-shirt and a midi skirt. Add a thin belt at the waist if you want a more fitted outline.
The sleeveless vest: the layer under the layer
The Polo Ralph Lauren mouwloos kabelgebreid vest met klassieke look is a sleeveless cable-knit vest with a structured knit finish. The page says it goes well with shirts, T-shirts and other everyday pieces, and works for casual and smart-casual occasions. Colours are white, beige, grey and black, in sizes S to XL.
Why choose it: a sleeveless knit adds warmth to the core without making the arms bulky. It is also the easiest piece to wear under a jacket or coat.
How to wear it: over a long-sleeve Oxford shirt with the cuffs rolled, with chinos and loafers. Or over a polo shirt in a contrasting colour, for a clean, preppy outfit.
Five simple layering formulas
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Shirt, knit, coat. The classic three-layer outfit. Keep the shirt collar out over the knit.
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T-shirt, zip knit, jacket. For a casual day. Leave the zip half open so the layers show.
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Polo, vest, overshirt. A relaxed combination for a coffee or a walk.
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Turtleneck, cardigan, long coat. A longer, more elegant look; make sure the cardigan is shorter than the coat.
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Plain tee, open cardigan, straight trousers. The easiest look of all, which works with almost anything.
Colour tips
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Neutral knits (beige, grey, white) work with everything and show texture best in daylight.
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Navy and black make the pattern subtler. Choose these if you want the knit to read as a quiet layer.
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A strong colour works best when the rest of the outfit is plain denim and white.
Sizing and care: what we can say
The pages list colours and sizes, but they do not give centimetre measurements or fit rules for these knits, and they do not give care instructions. If you are between sizes, contact customer service before you order. And if a garment arrives with a care label, follow that rather than general advice from us.
Find more knitwear
For men, browse the Men Designer Resell collection, which also includes ribbed sweaters, quarter-zips and cardigans. For women, the Woman Designer Resell collection has cable-knit tops, cardigans and sweaters alongside fleece and sweatshirts. Each product page lists its colours and sizes.
How to wear a cable knit without looking bulky
Texture adds visual volume, so balance is everything. If you wear a chunky cable knit on top, keep the trousers slim or straight. If you wear a vest, you can afford a fuller trouser because the arms stay slim. Keep the shirt underneath fitted at the collar and cuffs, so the layers look neat rather than shapeless.
Mixing cable knit with other textures
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With denim: the classic pairing, and the one that never fails.
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With wool-look trousers: smart and warm, good for the office.
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With a fleece or hoodie: a vest over a hoodie is a simple, relaxed layer.
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With a coat: choose a smooth coat fabric so the knit remains the only texture in the outfit.
Choosing between a pullover, a zip and a vest
If you only buy one, think about how you move through the day. A pullover is simplest and looks the neatest on its own. A full zip gives you control over temperature, which suits people who go from cold streets to warm offices. A vest keeps the arms free and adds warmth only to the core, so it is the best choice if you dislike bulky sleeves under a coat. Pick the one that matches the way you actually dress, not the one that looks best on a hanger.
FAQ
Can I wear a cable knit with a collared shirt?
Yes. It is the classic way to wear one. Keep the collar outside the knit and choose a shirt with a simple pattern or a plain colour.
Is a cable-knit sweater too warm for indoors?
That depends on the room and on you. A full-zip or a vest is easier to adjust than a pullover, which is why we recommend them if you move between warm and cold places during the day.
Which colour is most versatile?
Grey, beige and navy go with the widest range of other colours. If you only buy one, choose one of these.
Polo Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Sweater: How to Layer It This Season
A Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater is one of those pieces that never looks dated, because the cable pattern itself is a traditional one. What changes from year to year is how people wear it. This season the focus is on layering: a cable knit over a collared shirt, a sleeveless knit under a coat, a zip-through knit that comes on and off as the temperature changes. Below, we look at four cable-knit styles from our collections, explain what each one is good for and suggest simple ways to wear them.
Maison Arelle is an independent reseller. We are not an official dealer for Polo Ralph Lauren or any other brand, and we are not affiliated with or authorised by them. Brand names are used only to describe the products on each page.
Cable knit in one paragraph
Cable knit is a texture, not a shape. Strands of knit are twisted over each other in a repeating pattern, which gives the surface a raised, rope-like look. It reads as classic and a little traditional, so it pairs well with plain pieces underneath. A good rule: let the knit be the pattern in your outfit and keep everything else quiet.
The full-zip: the most flexible layer
The Polo Ralph Lauren Kabeltrui met Volledige Rits en Hoge Kraag combines a classic cable pattern with a full front zip. The page lists a comfortable high collar, long sleeves, ribbed cuffs and hem, and the embroidered Polo Pony as the signature detail. It is described as easy to combine with jeans, chinos or smart trousers for a stylish casual look. Colours are white, black, grey, beige and dark navy, in sizes S to XL.
Why choose it: a zip means you can adjust the layer without taking it off. Open it over a T-shirt in a warm room, close it up for the walk home.
How to wear it: navy, over a white Oxford shirt, with grey trousers. Or black, over a plain T-shirt, with dark jeans and boots.
The unisex crew: a classic to wear alone or under a coat
The Polo Unisex katoenen kabelgebreide trui met klassieke uitstraling is a cotton-based cable-knit sweater with a rich texture and a timeless look. The page says it can be worn alone or as an extra layer on cooler days, and that it works with jeans, trousers and other casual outfits. It is unisex and comes in a very wide range of colours, including khaki, blue, red, white, grey, dark brown, pink and yellow, in sizes XS to L.
Why choose it: because the colour range is so wide, this is the one to pick if you want colour in your winter wardrobe. A khaki or dark brown one is a quiet neutral; red or yellow is a deliberate statement.
How to wear it: over a collared shirt with the collar out, or alone with straight jeans. Under a long camel or grey coat it looks polished without effort.
The women's cardigan with a polo collar
For a more tailored cable knit, the Polo Ralph Lauren Kabelgebreid Vest met Klassieke Polokraag is a women's cotton cable-knit cardigan with a classic polo collar. The page says it can be worn with trousers, jeans or skirts, and fits both casual and smart-casual styles, including as an extra layer across seasons. Colours: dark navy, black, grey, white. Sizes listed are XS, M, L and XL.
How to wear it: buttoned up as a top with high-waisted trousers, or open over a plain T-shirt and a midi skirt. Add a thin belt at the waist if you want a more fitted outline.
The sleeveless vest: the layer under the layer
The Polo Ralph Lauren mouwloos kabelgebreid vest met klassieke look is a sleeveless cable-knit vest with a structured knit finish. The page says it goes well with shirts, T-shirts and other everyday pieces, and works for casual and smart-casual occasions. Colours are white, beige, grey and black, in sizes S to XL.
Why choose it: a sleeveless knit adds warmth to the core without making the arms bulky. It is also the easiest piece to wear under a jacket or coat.
How to wear it: over a long-sleeve Oxford shirt with the cuffs rolled, with chinos and loafers. Or over a polo shirt in a contrasting colour, for a clean, preppy outfit.
Five simple layering formulas
Colour tips
Sizing and care: what we can say
The pages list colours and sizes, but they do not give centimetre measurements or fit rules for these knits, and they do not give care instructions. If you are between sizes, contact customer service before you order. And if a garment arrives with a care label, follow that rather than general advice from us.
Find more knitwear
For men, browse the Men Designer Resell collection, which also includes ribbed sweaters, quarter-zips and cardigans. For women, the Woman Designer Resell collection has cable-knit tops, cardigans and sweaters alongside fleece and sweatshirts. Each product page lists its colours and sizes.
How to wear a cable knit without looking bulky
Texture adds visual volume, so balance is everything. If you wear a chunky cable knit on top, keep the trousers slim or straight. If you wear a vest, you can afford a fuller trouser because the arms stay slim. Keep the shirt underneath fitted at the collar and cuffs, so the layers look neat rather than shapeless.
Mixing cable knit with other textures
Choosing between a pullover, a zip and a vest
If you only buy one, think about how you move through the day. A pullover is simplest and looks the neatest on its own. A full zip gives you control over temperature, which suits people who go from cold streets to warm offices. A vest keeps the arms free and adds warmth only to the core, so it is the best choice if you dislike bulky sleeves under a coat. Pick the one that matches the way you actually dress, not the one that looks best on a hanger.
FAQ
Can I wear a cable knit with a collared shirt?
Yes. It is the classic way to wear one. Keep the collar outside the knit and choose a shirt with a simple pattern or a plain colour.
Is a cable-knit sweater too warm for indoors?
That depends on the room and on you. A full-zip or a vest is easier to adjust than a pullover, which is why we recommend them if you move between warm and cold places during the day.
Which colour is most versatile?
Grey, beige and navy go with the widest range of other colours. If you only buy one, choose one of these.