What to Wear This Month: Sweater Outfits and Cashmere Care

Mid-November is a good time for knitwear in most of the country. A cashmere or fine wool sweater keeps you warm when it is chilly, isn’t too heavy on a warm afternoon and can be layered under a coat when the temperature drops.

November Weather: Mostly Mild, Often Wet

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center expects most of the country to run warm this month. Only Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas were given an “equal chances” forecast, meaning a relatively warm, cool, or average November is equally likely. The rest of the country leans warmer than average, and the odds are highest in the north. More areas are leaning toward a wet November than a dry one.

Warm doesn’t mean frost-free. For November 13 to 19, areas of the Middle Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic may experience near freezing overnight temperatures. El Niño is present, and a possible disruption of the polar vortex adds uncertainty to the outlook for late November and December. In practice, that means mild afternoons and cold mornings, so plan outfits you can add to or take layers off.

Five Outfits Built Around a Sweater

• Office day: A fine-gauge crewneck over a collared shirt, with wool trousers and leather loafers. When the morning is cold, add a trench coat and take it off once the day warms up.
• Weekend errands: A chunky cardigan over a plain T-shirt, with dark jeans and waterproof sneakers for wet sidewalks.
• Dinner out: A V-neck sweater in a dark solid color, worn with tailored pants or a midi skirt and ankle boots. Gold or silver jewelry dresses it up without any extra bulk.
• Cold commute: A thin cashmere turtleneck under a wool overcoat, with a scarf in a matching color. The turtleneck stands in for a second scarf on frosty mornings.
• Rainy afternoon: A half-zip pullover over a long-sleeve tee, with chinos and a hooded rain shell. The shell keeps the knit dry, and it fits in a bag when the rain stops.

How to Hand-Wash Cashmere

Many sweaters can be washed at home. In most cases, merino wool, cashmere, alpaca and mohair sweaters can be washed at home, but check the care label first. Wash sparingly: wash cashmere no more than 2-3 times per season.

1. Turn the sweater inside out. Fill a basin with cool to lukewarm water, around 20°C (68°F) and at or below 30°C (86°F), never hot.
2. Add a small amount of wool wash or cashmere shampoo (pH-neutral).
3. Put the sweater in the water and swirl for 2–3 minutes, then let it soak for 10–15 minutes. Never leave it longer than 30 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly in water at the same temperature. A sudden change in temperature can shrink natural fibers.
5. Do not rub, wring or twist. Press out water gently with your hands. Then roll the sweater in a towel to soak up more water.

Also avoid putting the sweater under a running tap. The stream concentrates agitation on one spot and can start felting in wool.

Drying, Storing and De-Pilling

Lay the sweater flat on a dry towel and shape it back to size. Hanging can cause stretching and misshapenness, and cashmere should never go in a dryer. Store knits the same way: always fold—never hang.

Small pills are normal. Even good cashmere may pill, especially after the first few wears. Remove them gently with a cashmere comb.

FAQ

– Is dry cleaning better than washing cashmere at home?

Not necessarily. Gentle hand-washing can be easier on knits, because dry cleaning can potentially strip fibers of their natural oils responsible for keeping them soft. Always follow the care label.

– Can a shrunken cashmere sweater be saved?

Often, yes. Rewash the garment in cold water for about 10 minutes, press out the water and lay it flat. While it dries, slowly and gently stretch it back to size.

– When is the next NOAA outlook?

The next week 3-4 outlook will be issued on Friday, Nov 13, 2026. It covers the end of November and early December.