There are many reasons to fall head over heels in love with David Rose on "Schitt's Creek": his sarcastic one-liners, his hysterical facial expressions, his penchant for melodrama, his immense character development, and, of course, his one-of-a-kind style. David (portrayed by Dan Levy) has undoubtedly earned the unofficial title as reigning king of cozy yet chic sweaters, sporting a dizzying array of them throughout all six seasons of "Schitt's Creek" and providing us with endless outfit inspiration along the way.
Following in his mother Moira's fashionable footsteps, David typically sticks to a fairly muted color palette, opting for lots of black, white, and gray, though he occasionally infuses pops of color into his outfits. He's not afraid to be bold — as evidenced by his various graphic sweatshirts featuring phrases like "Love Me Tender" and "Wild Aloof Rebel" — and he's a big fan of drop-crotch pants and layered metallic rings. Simply put, David Rose is a style icon — some may even say his fashion choices are "simply the best . . . better than all the rest."
Considering the Rose family's wealthy background, many of David's sweaters are actually real designer pieces, which Levy said was vital for adequately portraying their riches-to-rags story. "They allow us to continually remind the audience that these people came from extreme wealth . . . that these people do not fit in," he said of the Roses' fancy outfits in a 2018 interview with Build Series.
"I knew if we were going to base this in reality, the clothes needed to be real designer clothes."
In an interview shared on the show's official YouTube page, Levy further explained that he worked with costume designer Debra Hanson to hand-pick many of the outfits himself, including David's slew of sweaters designed by the likes of Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, and Givenchy. Due to the show's tight budget, he resorted to mining eBay and consignment stores to score the pieces secondhand, often bartering down prices to be more affordable. "I knew if we were going to base this in reality, the clothes needed to be real designer clothes, they had to be expensive, and they had to look like a million dollars because that's all the family has when they move to this town is their clothes," Levy said.
After the wrap of "Schitt's Creek"'s final season, we can't help but feel just a little bit Alexis nostalgic, so we're taking a comprehensive look at David's sweater collection from season one through six. We're still unsure where he managed to store all of these in the tiny Rosebud Motel room, but hopefully you have the space to add one or two to your own wardrobe.
— Additional reporting by Sarah Wasilak
Who could possibly forget this iconic season two style moment? When Alexis, Moira, and Johnny finally find David, he's on an Amish farm wearing an over-the-top mohawked hoodie by Helmut Lang and shiny Balenciaga glasses. Fun fact: Levy purchased the designer sweater on eBay after scouring the site for a month and a half looking for it.
Helmut Lang Archived Mohawk Hoodie (inquire)
In the fourth episode of season two, David visits the not-so-chic Blouse Barn with Roland Schitt wearing a white sweater with a curved black graphic on top. It definitely makes him stand out among the cluttered racks of tacky patterned clothes.
Neil Barrett Contrasting-Panel Wool Jumper ($439, originally $726)
Also in the fourth episode of season two, Alexis receives that pink bike from Mutt, and David learns to ride it while wearing another black and white sweater from his extensive collection — this one striped and from Zara. He teams it with wacky patterned shorts and high-top sneakers.
While enjoying (see: most definitely not enjoying) dinner at the Schitt household with his parents, David sports this fitted black sweater with zippered detailing, layering it over a white button-down. It's the piece he wears while uttering his highly quotable "I'm trying very hard not to connect with people right now" line, so you could say it's pretty unforgettable.
Rick Owens Bauhaus Jogger Sweater ($1,140)
Remember when David has that brief fling with Jake (who's also simultaneously having a fling with Stevie Budd)? When David's family barges into his motel room to meet a shirtless Jake, David is sporting this cozy black, gray, and white patterned sweater by Neil Barrett.
Express Fair Isle Wool Blend Crew Neck Sweater ($90, originally $118)
Another season three gem, this white sweater features a giant geometric design in the middle, and David wears it with black skinny jeans and high-top sneakers.
OAMC Geometric Pattern Crewneck Sweater ($449, originally $1,038)
While unintentionally having a triple date with Jake and Stevie, David dresses to impress in a mesmerizingly detailed KTX sweater. He's definitely the best dressed person at Cafe Tropical that day.
RVCA Curren Checks Crewneck Sweater ($64, originally $85)
While scoping out Johnny's new whip in season three, David sports a graphic sweater with a linear face-printed pattern on it. The psychedelic piece is a Christopher Kane design that he styles with ripped black jeans.
Aelfric Eden Skeleton Portrait Sweater ($60, originally $70)
Sticking to his usual subdued color scheme, David wears this black and gray sweater in season three while hanging at the motel with Alexis.
Sun 68 Gray Sweater ($104, originally $186))
There's pretty much nothing nonchalant about this in-your-face sweater by No21, which is precisely why we love it so much. Leave it to David Rose to perfect the art of oxymoronic clothing choices.
In David's world, stopping by a flower garden named after your mom calls for a stylish outfit. For this season three scene, he wears a black Études sweater with a circular star pattern in the middle, styled with drop-crotch pants and sneakers.
David Rose's version of business-meeting attire? A paisley sweater and white jeans. While stopping by Heather Warner's (Ted's then-girlfriend) farm to sample her artisan cheese, David wears this Alexander McQueen sweater featuring a cool paisley design.
424 Paisley Print Ribbed Trim Jumper ($250, originally $357)
You can always count on David to dress to the nines — even if it's just for a quick bite at Cafe Tropical. While eating breakfast with the family at the local joint, David rocks a gray colorblock sweater with white and black sections.
While hanging with Patrick at Rose Apothecary, David sports this gray crewneck Marc Jacobs design with an artsy "XX" graphic in the middle.
In season four, David wears this light-gray Saint Laurent leopard jumper with acid-wash jeans while making his romance with Patrick official. He styles it with white sunglasses and lots of silver rings, of course.
Saint Laurent Paris Leopard Print Distressed Mohair Sweater ($545, originally $950)
Featured in tons of promotional "Schitt's Creek" materials advertising its fifth season, this Neil Barrett design is worn by David when he drunkenly belts out karaoke songs in Elm Valley.
Neil Barrett Lightning Bolt Sweatshirt ($419, originally $593)
Perhaps David's most out-there sweater of all time, this busy number features both a star-themed fireworks print and a poem of sorts about a bird. He wears it in the season four episode titled "Open Mic."
While taking the stage to perform at Asbestos Fest with Moira in season four, David rocks a black Givenchy sweater covered with white baby's breath flowers. The look is teamed with matching floral pants.
Givenchy Boyfriend Sweatshirt ($180, originally $1,185)
Could it really be? David Rose wearing a color other than gray, black, or white? It happens in season four when he wears this fiery-orange and black sweater by Givenchy. He definitely brings the heat with this one.
Palm Angels Terry Flames Sweatshirt ($648, originally $1,080)
A design by Random Identities, this beige mohair sweater features giant black polka dots and a hood, and David wears it in season six.
David chooses this slick Givenchy design featuring stars, stripes, and a pop of red for a day of work.
Givenchy Leather Sweatshirt ($860, originally $1,885)
Don't let Moira's red wig distract you — David's fun geometric sweater is definitely the star of the season four barbecue episode. (OK, the wig is definitely a close second.)
Though not technically a pullover, David's Amiri palm-printed cardigan from season five is definitely still worthy of praise. It's in one of his favorite hues — black — and he simply styles it with a plain white tee and black jeans.
Amiri Oversized Palm Tree Cardigan ($650, originally $1,549)
While checking out apartments with Patrick in season five, David wears this gray sweater that looks simple from far away — until you catch glimpse of the fringed sleeves. He pairs it with black skirt and pants like the style icon he is.
Definitely on the quirkier side, this season four piece features images of a Hercules statue seemingly sliced up and placed on top of a black sweater. It's another Neil Barrett design from David's collection.
Neil Barrett Graphic Print Crew Neck Pullover ($116, originally $145)
This two-tone Valentino design features two large panthers on the arms and shoulders. It's certainly one of David's fiercest sweatshirts.
Valentino Garavani Pre-Owned Sweater ($780, originally $884)
You can't go wrong with a simple black sweater. David flawlessly proves this point during a season five work day at Rose Apothecary by sporting this fuzzy, surprisingly toned-down number.
On the other decidedly less-subtle end of the spectrum, David rocks this eye-catching crewneck sweater featuring a large bird image in season five. He wears it with cropped, Bermuda-length shorts and socks that come to midshin.
Thanks to David and Patrick's sweet relationship, we believe in the power of love, too. While throwing a surprise party for Patrick's birthday in season five, David wears this surprisingly romantic graphic sweatshirt by Givenchy.
Givenchy Love Sweatshirt ($400, originally $1,200)
Does it get any edgier than the black Versace chain-mail sweater David wears in the fourth episode of the sixth season? We think not.
Express Wool-Blend Crew Neck Sweater ($49, originally $98)
Leave it to David Rose to make a sweater with holes look undeniably fashionable while scouting out wedding venues with Patrick. His styling with a plaid kilt is the icing on the cake.
The Rose family wear some of their finest outfits for the big "The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening" premiere in Schitt's Creek. Moira finally takes her ostrich-feather gown for a spin, Alexis dazzles in a metallic dress, Johnny looks sharp in a tuxedo, and David goes for a Dsquared2 sweater featuring shiny sequined panels.
Dsquared2 Sweatshirt ($324, originally $937)
Even David succumbs to the ever-present temptation to give camouflage a whirl. His take is, of course, anything but tacky and features muted gray and black hues rather than your classic greens.
Michael Kors Camouflage Alpaca and Merino Wool Blend Turtleneck Sweater ($159, originally $398)
In quite the on-brand David Rose move, he wears a Dsquared2 sweater that boldly reads "Icon" while taste-testing fancy foods for his wedding. He pairs the statement-making piece with gray drop-crotch trousers by Rick Owens.
Dsquared2 Icon Sweater ($327, originally $449)
David rocks this Amiri sweater with a snake appliqué with a Rick Owens deconstructed denim cargo skirt and Vans sneakers.
Blvck Paris Snake Signature Hoodie ($120, originally $150)
You'll want to zoom all the way in on this detailed Givenchy number — it's got skulls, chains, flags, stars, and more.
In the ninth episode of the last season, David rocks this eye-print Kenzo sweater for a day of working at Rose Apothecary.
Kenzo Pre-Owned Printed Crew Neck Sweater ($105, originally $175)
While taste-testing endless glasses of Herb Ertlinger's famously gag-inducing fruit wine with Moira, David wears this artful sweater, which features a panel of draped gray fabric attached to the front.
Kolor Deconstructed Wool Jumper ($1,650, originally $2,200)
There's a special reason David wears this Dries Van Noten hand-print sweater during the penultimate episode of "Schitt's Creek." "Historically, an open palm symbolizes honesty, truth, and openness," Levy famously tweeted after the episode aired.
Dries Van Noten Pre-Owned Navy Cotton Knit ($436, originally $494)
Yet another sweater with sentimental meaning, this Off-White sweater depicting two hands cupping a flame is a sweet callback to the bright-orange flame-print sweater David wears at open mic night when Patrick dedicates a song to him.
The back features the signature Off-White pattern and even more flames to mirror David and Patrick's fiery love.
Off-White 2013 Main Label Sweatshirt ($250, originally $400)