The Cutest Fair Isle Christmas Sweaters to Buy This Year

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I’ve always loved Fair Isle sweaters. They’re classic and festive, without feeling like a full-on ugly Christmas sweater. And I love the fact that you can wear them all winter, long after the holidays. This year, I have a few favorite Fair Isle sweaters on rotation, so I’m sharing them, along with a few other affordable Fair Isle finds.

Whether you’re looking for a festive, classic holiday sweater or if you need something easy (but not ugly) for a tacky Christmas sweater party, I’ve got you covered with the finds in this post. (But if you want an ugly Christmas sweater, I’ve got that covered too.)

If you need more holiday-inspired shopping picks, check out these posts:

The 10 Cutest Fair Isle Christmas Sweaters I’ve Found

1. Tuckernuck Eggshell Fair Isle Edna Sweater

I recently got this beautiful Fair Isle Edna Sweater from Tuckernuck, and it’s easily one of my favorites this season. The creamy base with subtle pops of color feels festive without being over the top, and it’s such a classic fit – cozy, polished, and obviously anything polo is a yes from me!

The length is perfect for styling with jeans or a skirt since it’s not cropped, but it’s also not so oversized that it feels sloppy. It’s really the perfect winter Fair Isle sweater.

2. Boden Edie Fair Isle Sweater

Boden shocked me last year with their Fair Isle holiday sweater selection, and I’m blown away this year, as well. The Edie Fair Isle Sweater comes in many different colorways and prints, but don’t miss the pink reindeer colorway or the pink heritage option.

My only qualm is that you can’t wear it after Christmas, so it’s a little pricey at $120 for a short season. However, I think it’s 100% cute enough to make it a fun splurge this year if you have a Christmas party to attend where you could wear it. And of course, Boden’s quality is great, so you’ll be able to wear it for years to come.

3. LOFT Fair Isle Ribbed Sweater

I just ordered this Fair Isle sweater from LOFT one and can’t wait for it to come in! The icy blue and brown coloring feels so lovely for winter, and I love that it’s not too thick – perfect for layering under a coat without feeling bulky.

For under $50, this is a great fair isle sweater find (plus, it comes in petite sizes too).

4. J.Crew Fair Isle Wide-mockneck Sweater

J.Crew is a great place to search for anything classic, especially Fair Isle-inspired sweaters. This Fair Isle wide-mock neck sweater is unique because the length is shorter than other sweaters I included in this round-up.

The cobalt blue on this one is bold in the best way. It’s such a fun twist on the traditional fair isle palette and adds the prettiest pop of color to cold-weather outfits. This would be super cute paired with high-waisted jeans. It’s made with a soft wool blend, and the mockneck detail is really nice (I always love a mockneck).

5. Amazon Essentials Soft-Touch Crewneck Novelty Sweater

Want a Fair Isle sweater but need something a little more affordable? Add this Amazon Fair Isle sweater to your cart. The colors are really cute and the price is significantly cheaper than the rest of the sweaters in this post. If you’re just venturing into Fair Isle sweaters this season, this is a great option!

6. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fair Isle Christmas Sweater

If you want something a little more elevated, this cashmere fair-isle Christmas sweater from Quince is such a beautiful option. It features a classic moose and tree fair isle pattern, and it’s knit from the same ultra-soft, 100% Grade-A Mongolian Cashmere as their best-selling cashmere crewneck sweater. It’s soft, warm, and subtle – festive without feeling costume-y.

7. J.Crew Fair Isle Cardigan in Wool Blend

The J.Crew Fair Isle Cardigan feels effortlessly chic – the wool blend makes it warm and cozy, and I love that you can wear it buttoned up as a sweater or open over a tee for a more relaxed look. I’d pair it with jeans if I want a more casual look, and a silk skirt to dress it up!

8. Tuckernuck Striped Fair Isle Kinvara Cardigan

You don’t have to opt for a crewneck or cardigan. This Fair Isle Kinvara Cardigan is actually a zip-up jacket, which makes it so wearable in other fun ways. I love that it has a bit more structure than your typical knit – it instantly elevates a simple outfit while still feeling cozy and festive. The mix of stripes and fair isle adds so much personality, but the colors keep it super versatile. It’s one of those really great fair isle finds that looks equally cute with jeans and boots or layered over a dress.

9. Hanna Andersson Holiday Fair Isle Sweater

A true classic! Hanna Andersson always nails that nostalgic, all-American holiday look, and this one is no exception. It’s soft, cheerful, and made to last year after year. This Holiday Fair Isle Sweater comes in beautiful blue and red colorways, and it sits at a nice price point of under $80.

11. L.L. Bean Cotton Ragg Sweater

I haven’t ordered clothes from L.L.Bean in years, but this Cotton Ragg Sweater is making me think I should start! I love the funnel neck style and the Deepest Brown Fair Isle colorway. The price is great too – under $100!

And, in case you’re curious, here are a few FAQs regarding Fair Isle sweaters.

What is a Fair Isle Sweater?

Fair Isle sweaters that we see today come from the traditional knitting technique named after Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands. They became super popular when the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, wore them around the 1920s.  The term Fair Isle has become pretty generic since then and typically refers to any multicolored, geometric knitwear. It’s common to see the royals wearing them in the winter! Most of the time, when you see a festive, Christmas-y feeling sweater, it’s a Fair Isle-inspired sweater.

What are the Different Types of Fair Isle Sweaters?

Fair Isle sweaters come in many patterns and colors, but I’m not sure if there are truly different types of Fair Isle knitwear with distinct names (please comment and share if you know!)  Most traditional Fair Isle patterns have been passed down through generations, so a specific knitter may have a style that would have been easy to identify in some cultures, and I think that’s pretty cool. Some common patterns that are popular right now are eight-pointed stars, Nordic snowflakes, diamonds, and Christmas-themed (e.g. reindeer, trucks, stockings, etc.).

Where to buy a Fair Isle Sweater

You can still buy Fair Isle sweaters directly from Fair Isle, if you’re looking for a truly authentic Fair Isle sweater, but most retailers make similar styles around the holidays. My favorite this year is the Fair Isle Edna Sweater from Tuckernuck. I love how it looks with blue jeans, and I especially appreciate that I can wear it into late winter (which matters if you spend decent money on a sweater).

How to style Fair Isle Sweaters for the Winter Season

My favorite way to wear my Fair Isle sweaters is with denim. Depending on the length of the sweater, I’ll tuck it into my jeans or give the front a small tuck. I wear them casually, but I’ve seen Kate Middleton pair hers with a blazer which looked so cute.

I hope you find a fun sweater for the holiday season and winter months!