I first spotted it on a side street in Cobble Hill—a Brooklyn neighborhood known for its style: A woman passed me quickly on a morning when the temperatures were finally giving off that quintessential fall chill. Sweater weather? We were nearly there, which was why the chunky knit cardigan had extra appeal. As we got closer, I recognized her style in an instant: It was the Nico from Alex Mill ($178).
The Chunky Cardigan Sweater Women in Brooklyn Can't Stop Wearing
It’s the perfect transitional knit
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Published Oct 27, 2025
Rachel Bowie
Apple TV+
The cardigan has quickly (and quietly) become a neighborhood favorite. I’ll admit: I first clocked it on an episode of the Apple TV+ series Platonic, starring Rose Byrne, whose character Sylvia wears the style on more than one occasion. That initial recognition led me to be more eagle-eyed as I walked around Brooklyn, easily noticing those around me who also couldn’t help but reach for the celeb-approved style.
Part of what makes it so exquisite is the shape. It’s boxy without being too billowy or unflattering; it’s also cropped to fall near the waist without being too short. The online reviews are robust, too. Right now, there are just shy of 250 with an overall rating on the Alex Mill site of nearly five stars.
Alex Mill
Alex Mill
As time went on, I began to spot the cardigan shape on more and more Brooklynites, an experience that led me to want to test it out myself. I was surprised to see so many color options to choose from. (Cosmic blue, berry red, faded grove—there are currently seven in total.) When the sweater arrived, the weight of the cotton material was impressive. It was thick and warm, but also airy, likely due to the weave of the knit, aka a dream for transitional dressing and style.
On a FaceTime date with my mom, she immediately asked what I was wearing: “That sweater is so cute,” she remarked. (My sister, during a separate video chat, called it out, too.) I opted for the Cosmic blue hue and easily found numerous ways to wear it—with a dress, paired with jeans, it even looked cute over a simple button-up. I was sold.
Rachel Bowie
As I get older (and wiser, ha!), I’m more tuned into building a closet of timeless and reliable staples. IMO, this Brooklyn-approved sweater is it.
