Half-Zip Sweaters Are Trending, And This One Is My Favorite

When I was growing up and shopping for clothes with my mom, she would always ask me the same question as I was making decisions.

“Are you absolutely in love with it?”

Whatever my first gut response was, that determined whether or not it went in the cart.

More often than not, it wasn’t a piece I was totally obsessed with. That little bit of advice helped me make the best decisions going forward on what to fill my closet with. Of course, I didn’t always use it — I make impulse purchases too (I’m only human). But when I remember to ask myself that question and listen to my initial gut reaction, my closet makes me so happy.

The Half-Zip Sweater I’m Absolutely In Love With

The moment I unboxed the Vine Half-Zip Pullover by Varley, my gut response was loud and clear: I was totally and absolutely in love with it.

Nordstrom | Saks Fifth Avenue | Revolve | Shopbop | Backcountry | Forward | Intermix | Neiman Marcus | Zappos | Anthropologie 

Varley is a brand I’ve been curious about since this past spring. I kept seeing this specific half-zip on my social media, and would click over to different retailer pages and just…stare at it. I may have even gone so far as to check my sizing and add one to cart.

I do this often when I’m debating an item. It’s like adding to my online cart is a way to feel it out. Once it’s in that sacred little window, it feels more like mine than when I’m just browsing the website. And so I sit with that feeling of it being mine, without actually having committed, and decide if I like it or not.

Does this process make me absolutely dorky? Maybe, but it works. 

Half-Zip | Legging | Sneaker

Months went by and I just kept clicking back to the half-zip pullover sweater by Varley, unsure. Mostly because it was a brand I had never heard of before, and sometimes that can feel too risky. Then a few weeks ago I was chatting with Gwen when she filled me in on the best little bit of info: she owns a few Varley pieces, thee alluring half-zip even, and loves them! That was all I needed to hear. I found the sweater, added to cart, and this time…completed the purchase.

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Half-Zip | Jeans | Boots

My First Impressions Of The Varley Vine Half-Zip Sweater

The first thing I fell in love with was the way it felt. It’s a soft but heavier fabric, one that is sure to keep me warm in the cold winter months. Varley makes a lot of gorgeous activewear, so their pieces are made to be functional and comfortable. Even with the heavier fabric, it’s not at all stiff or awkward feeling, but instead cut in a very precise way to actually be pretty, if that makes sense. The sleeves have a long wrist cuff, which strikes me as a stunning design feature. And that gold zipper? Forget about it.

I recently read a description of this top online that called it “Part Sporty Spice, part Yale-era Rory Gilmore” and if I had had any doubts before, I was immediately sold.

Half-Zip | Jeans | Boots

I’ve been really drawn to half-zip sweaters this season. I find myself wanting to wear them more than hooded sweatshirts, and if you know me, that’s a big deal. They offer the same type of coziness, with just a flare of preppy grandpa vibes — and I adore that. You feel as though you can pair these sweaters with just about anything.

Half-zips are definitely trending, and the more you look the more they can start to look the same. The deep green one by La Ligne that S, Laura, and myself all love is one of them that stood out amongst the rest. This Varley sweater is another.

I’m obsessed with the way it looks with the zipper pulled down; the oversized foldover collar is the most fun feature. But it’s completely cute zipped all the way up, too, which I will most certainly be doing once the temps drop (plus, it’s easier to fit underneath winter coats that way). 

Depending on what retailer you click around on, there’s a handful of the most stunning color options available. I’m wearing the color “deep charcoal” but I found the “brown patina” and “desert sage” colors at Saks after I purchased mine, and BOY are they tempting.

Fit Notes: True to size! I’m rocking my normal size, a medium, and find it perfect in every way. For visual reference, I’m 5’9” and have a slightly longer torso.

Shop The Varley Vine Half-Zip Pullover

Xx,
Amy

Let’s be friends on Instagram! Sharing life from my sleepy little beach town, daily style, and my professional photo work – with a good dose of chubby baby content too.