The wrap that’s never out of style - 

Have I ever told you about how much I love sweaters? It’s a perfect kind of love, or nearly perfect anyway. The only thing that could make it better would be living in an area where climate permitted me to wear one every single day.

Really. I have more sweaters than it makes sense to own – I have a cardigan in nearly every shade, and I’m working on expanding my collection to incorporate more patterned choices. But my closet doesn’t start and stop with cardis. Honestly, I rarely meet a sweater I don’t like. I had one in college that was totally eighties (probably in all the wrong ways) and I loved it.

One great thing about sweaters is that they will never go out of style. Unlike fleeting trends – harem pants, gauchos, and overalls (avoid all three, please) – sweaters are not going anywhere … Ever. Or at least until global warming really starts to kick our butts.

This fall and winter, sweaters allow you to recycle your spring and summer wardrobes. The chunkier the sweater, the better it is to pair with a spring skirt or to layer over a summery dress. Wear with tights and a pair of cool boots and you have a perfect cool-weather outfit using what you already own.

When designers were showing fall and winter collections during Fashion Week, major players such as Max Azria and Tracy Reese were dressing their models in maxi skirts – another example of remixing your summer wardrobe – with sweaters. And, honestly, nearly any sweater will do. You could opt for a loose-fitting sweater for a comfortable weekend chic look – totally fab for a stroll through the farmer’s market on a fall morning. Or select a long and lean sweater with a chunky woven belt worn at the hips. This could finally be the answer to the “but they’re so comfortable” sweats-in-public excuse.

Sweaters can even take on a more structured appeal this fall, almost rivaling the work of your favorite blazer. In fact, in the past year clothing retailers have started carrying sweaters that look exactly like blazers, fitted with buttons and collars. The whole nine. They’re pretty fabulous and perfect for the office – way more range of motion in the arms and shoulders. I’ve seen these types of sweaters at retailers ranging from Macy’s to H&M. I’d give a gold star or bonus points if you could snag one with elbow pads, which will forever, be wonderful – they remind me of my Opa. (My dad’s dad.)

There’s almost no wrong way to do a sweater, but for ultra trendy, look for patterns that are a loose interpretation of camouflage or polka dots. Polka dots are going to be huge for the next few seasons. Shades of mustard, jade, and rust will also be big news, and you’ll look like a million bucks in any of them.

There’s a good chance you have something that fits the bill in your closet already so don’t be afraid to take it out and dust it off. If not, or, like me, you have a constant case of the shopping bug, a trip to the sweater racks will be money well spent.

Caitlin Gallagher, Auburn, combines texture and color for this season's must have look.