By Gretta Monahan

Copyright bostonherald

One of the best parts of autumn, besides the crisp air, is the chance to get back into sweaters. They’re not just to beat the fall chill — this time of year, the colors are as rich as the foliage.

Here are some of the quintessential styles to choose from.

A classic fair isle

The Highland Heritage Cashmere Sweater ($149.99 on lacceti.com) is not only a beautiful rendition of an intricate fair isle pattern — it comes in pale pink and blue, and for fall I love it most in camel, with flecks of cream and sapphire — but it’s woven in an incredibly soft cashmere. Its vintage design is boosted further with a pretty mock neck.

A rugby rollneck

Perfect with jeans or a corduroy skirt and boots, the 2025 Rollneck Sweater in rugby stripe ($118 on jcrew.com) is comfy, chic, and loose-fitting. It’s a modernized remake of the classic version that the brand used to offer in the ‘90s and early 2000s. I’m partial to its slouchy, devil-may-care attitude and colorful, bold stripes that kick any outfit up a few notches.

A traditional Irish cable knit

When it comes to classic styling and natural warmth, few patterns get it right like the Irish cable stitch. And the Heritage Knit Merino Wool Crew Sweater ($138 on www.aritzia.com) sports a comfy crewneck and is made of 100% extra-fine, super soft merino wool that’s been responsibly sourced and the design is constructed to create flat, smooth seams for an incredible fit.

An elegant bouclé funnel neck

Nearly feather-light and about as snuggly as can be, the Alpaca Bouclé ($218 on poetryfashion.com) is a mid-length silhouette that evokes sophistication the minute you put it on. It comes in soft natural gray and forest pine, and its funnel neck has a placket fastened with a tailored row of snazzy buttons. Divine.

A cool sporty cashmere

One minute, it seems ready to hit the tennis courts. The next, it seems bound for a film festival or a poetry slam. The 100% Cashmere Women’s Striped Sleeve Round Neck Sweater ($159 on cbcashmere.com) is a sharp combination of saturated color (I particularly love it in red) with demure white stripes on the sleeves and buttons at the cuffs and sides. The fit is snug and flattering, so there’s nothing unkempt about it, even though the vibe is casual.

A fuzzy cropped crewneck

Cozy can also mean fashion-forward, and the proof of that is a sweater like the Federica Brushed Cashmere Crewneck ($395 on nakedcashmere.com). It’s a gorgeous wonder in two solid colors (moss or ecru), with enormously indulgent softness met with a boxy and cropped silhouette.

An argyle intarsia for the ages

The traditional dress of Scottish Highlanders, golfers, and preppy college kids everywhere, argyle takes on an incredibly luxe level in The Cashmere Argyle Crewneck ($545 on whiteandwarren.com). The 100% cashmere knit with an intricate intarsia stitch has a modern argyle motif thanks to hand-embroidered detailing, and a beautifully draped, relaxed fit.

A preppy sweater-jacket

Yes, we all need one — if not two. It’s the kind of structured sweater that gives an entire look authority. The Brushed Merino Wool Suede Trim Sweater Jacket ($398 on brooksbrothers.com) is crafted by the renowned Filatura Tollegno, treated to create a close knit, and finished with a suede trim and signature metal buttons. It’s fantastic for fall in brown trimmed in black, or even more alluring in dark-brown-trimmed green that mirrors the stunning season around it.