Sweater climate, for those who ask me, is the best stretch of the 12 months, which implies I’ve purchased my justifiable share of sweaters over time. And right here’s the laborious reality: The best sweaters aren’t those chasing developments, they usually’re undoubtedly not the $20 polyester blends clogging up Amazon. The good ones are easy. They’re made nicely, they match nicely they usually put on nicely, season after season.
Tom Scott, affiliate professor of style design and knitwear on the Fashion Institute of Technology, seems to be at sweaters by means of three lenses: design, yarn high quality and building. He recommends prioritizing high-quality yarns, choosing absolutely normal knits when attainable and avoiding pointless blends. “Single-fiber knits are more sustainable and much easier to mend or recycle,” he mentioned, they usually have a tendency to age higher too.
The half-dozen consultants I spoke to agreed, in order that perspective formed this checklist. We targeted on pure fibers, good building and kinds that truly work in a guy’s closet and in actual life (ones that may be layered beneath a jacket or worn solo with denims). The result’s a mixture of budget-friendly staples, reliable mid-range picks and some funding sweaters definitely worth the splurge, all chosen with longevity and wearability in thoughts.
J.Crew’s sweaters are preppy and polished with out feeling like a fancy dress, fundamental and timeless with out being boring, they usually handle to weave that every one collectively at approachable pricing regardless of high quality materials.
As somebody who’s owned a number of J.Crew sweaters, a few of which I’ve had for six-plus years, this 100% cotton crewneck is a continuing go-to for its flattering match. It doesn’t hug the physique tightly, supplying you with that sausage-casing silhouette, and it doesn’t dangle free, giving a sloppy, boxy look both. Consider it the Goldilocks of sweaters.
I’ve purchased a number of items from Naadam, identified for its 100% cashmere sweaters beneath $100, and never one particular person has believed these sweaters had been lower than $400. This V-neck will turn out to be a wardrobe staple.
The V-neck affords a refined dip, which private stylist Laura Showalter mentioned will work over a T-shirt or button-down. More importantly, its ribbed element provides this selection a extra polished look whereas additionally holding the strains, that means it received’t buckle or bunch, supplying you with a clear look always.
Sweaters that fall squarely within the funds realm usually lack any weight or texture, however this 100% lambswool possibility from Uniqlo — which occurs to be one among my private heavy-rotation cardigans — affords each in spades. That’s one cause why private stylist Patrick Kenger calls out Uniqlo for being an important bang to your buck. In phrases of building, it matches some high quality factors he famous to search for: “You want to pay attention to the weight of the fabric, how thick the strands are and how tightly those strands are sewn together.”
Quince has quietly been enhancing the standard of its cashmere choices — its newer sweaters don’t tablet as a lot, according to reviewers — making it a worthy competitor to Naadam. Showalter particularly famous the model’s Mongolian cashmere sweaters as stable budget-friendly choices. This quarter-zip is extremely versatile, particularly for these searching for a bit extra sophistication of their wardrobe.
This possibility from L.L.Bean boasts most of the qualities we’ve already talked about — it is 100% cotton; slim becoming, so not overly cumbersome; and heat with some breathability — however in a extra trendy package deal. “Cable-knit and fisherman-style sweaters are not only classic choices, but they also excel at trapping air and providing excellent insulation, which makes them ideal for colder weather,” Nordstrom private stylist Jon Adams mentioned.
Caroline Reilly, a private menswear stylist and style author, additionally calls out L.L.Bean for its mix of sturdy and inexpensive choices.
Knit polos are — and I’m saying this as somebody who owns a number of — probably the most versatile type choices for males. You can put on them with a pair of denims and nonetheless look sharp. It’s the kind of capsule wardrobe staple you’ll put on many times. Jennifer Lund, proprietor of A Sharp Dressed Man, recommends this one from Robert Barakett for a recent look. “It’s soft, breathable and looks fresh, thanks to modern details like a contrast placket and an updated collar shape,” she mentioned. “I especially like it in seasonal tones like olive, chocolate and burgundy, a nice change from the typical navy and gray.”
The Birth of the Cool is a cult-classic knitwear piece within the menswear world due to its sheer high quality. It’s constructed from 100% Shetland wool, that means it’s not simply heat but additionally extraordinarily resilient. The barely fuzzy end, according to private stylist Turner Allen, is “elevated without feeling precious.” The match is the place this actually works. It’s relaxed however not sloppy, and the ribbed cuffs and hem assist it hold its form over time. It wears nicely by itself with denim but additionally layers simply beneath a coat with out feeling cumbersome or stiff.
“Cable-knit styles offer a timeless appeal whether you’re dressing up for a casual outing or layering for extra warmth in a more formal setting,” Adams mentioned. This model pairs two of Polo’s most iconic signatures — textured cable knit and the embroidered Pony — on 100% cotton, which makes it extra breathable. That issues for those who plan to put on it past a fast stroll outdoors; you received’t be dying to peel this layer off when you’re indoors. The general silhouette is slimmer and extra refined than conventional fisherman kinds, so it reads basic and preppy relatively than rugged.
Brooks Brothers has turn out to be eponymous within the menswear world for timeless, prep-forward type, so for those who’re searching for the identical refined and versatile look because the Quince quarter-zip however from a extra established model, that is your best possibility. Brooks Brothers sweaters, in my expertise, put on extraordinarily nicely over time, resisting pilling and sustaining form higher than many funds options. This is the sort of sweater that works in actual life: acceptable for business-casual settings, simple on weekends and polished sufficient to throw on with out overthinking it.
“You know when you love a sweater so much you wear it every other day? That’s how I feel about this speckled wool sweater from Alex Mill,” NCS Underscored affiliate updates author Maxwell Shukuya mentioned. With the Donegal crewneck, marled yarn provides textural curiosity that retains the piece from feeling too plain whereas nonetheless anchoring it in on a regular basis wearability. “Though it’s a simple piece that can go with anything, tiny specks of color spun into the yarn give it rustic character,” Shukuya mentioned. “Just be prepared to wear a shirt underneath, as it’s made from merino and alpaca wool, which are rougher than cashmere and cotton.”
The Shaggy Dog sweater is one among American menswear’s most recognizable knits and has been dotting the quads of Ivy League campuses for generations. Brushed Shetland wool provides the sweater its signature “shaggy” floor whereas sustaining the sturdiness that has outlined the type for many years.
This model blends a relaxed match that doesn’t appear like to procure a measurement up, and the ribbed cuffs and hem assist the sweater hold its form over time, one thing consultants persistently flag as an indication of high quality building. Unlike smoother merino or cashmere knits, the Shaggy Dog is supposed to look lived in; the feel is the purpose.
Vince is a model a number of of the stylists we spoke to known as out by identify, and this selection from the model is “substantial but breathable, with a unique neckline that works well with denim or casual pants,” Lund mentioned. The scarf collar is the defining element right here. Broader and softer than a quarter-zip or crew, it nonetheless provides construction across the neck.
Here’s the factor about Sunspel’s lambswool crewneck: There’s nothing flashy right here, and that’s precisely why it really works. Lambswool affords heat with a lighter really feel than heavier conventional wools, making this a straightforward layering piece. The knit is clear and even, the ribbing is tidy and the sweater holds its form with out feeling stiff. It’s refined sufficient to put on beneath tailor-made jackets however nonetheless substantial sufficient to stand by itself.
“If you’re looking for a versatile quarter-zip, the Peter Millar Autumn Crest Quarter-Zip is one of my favorites,” Lund mentioned. “It’s light enough to wear under a blazer or vest but still warm enough to wear on its own. The suede detail at the zipper gives it a polished, elevated feel, which is great for business casual or a smart weekend look.” Add within the wide selection of colour choices — one other sensible benefit consultants usually spotlight — and this quarter-zip turns into a versatile, reliable layer that works simply as nicely on a journey day because it does for a particular date night time.
Trust me after I say you want a turtleneck sweater in your closet. I personally attain for one anytime I would like to elevate an outfit, and few choices rival this John Smedley Richard turtleneck. It’s constructed of extra-fine merino wool from the UK, and the turtleneck provides construction, providing a extra polished different to the crews and quarter-zips that too usually turn out to be males’s default. This isn’t a chunky knit — it’s slim and clear — so it really works simply as nicely with tailoring because it does with darkish denim.
Experts overwhelmingly favored pure fibers. “Look for natural fibers like merino wool, cashmere, alpaca, Shetland wool or mohair,” Allen mentioned. “They hold their shape, breathe well and insulate the body far better than synthetic blends.”
“Good cashmere should feel buttery to the touch but also dense; it shouldn’t be overly fluffy, which can be a sign of lower-quality fiber,” Adams mentioned.
“For merino, you want it to feel smooth and springy,” Nordstrom’s Sepeedeh Hashemian added.
Something that’s 100% cotton “is going to be a great option for those with extremely sensitive skin, which even the softest merino wool can make a person very itchy,” Showalter mentioned.
A great sweater ought to skim the physique, not cling or sag. “A great-fitting sweater should skim the body without clinging or sagging,” Lund mentioned. “Shoulder seams should hit right at the shoulder line, and sleeves should land at the wrist bone.”
Hashemian added that size issues simply as a lot. “The hem is best when it lands just below the belt; it keeps the sweater looking polished without feeling restrictive.” Allen agreed, noting that “the hem should land around mid-fly.”
Fit points usually present up in movement. “You never want your knitwear to be snug to the point where you’re seeing puckering or pulling,” Reilly mentioned. “But you also don’t want it oversized enough that it makes you look larger.”
Meanwhile, Kenger emphasised that sweaters ought to enable for layering. “You want enough room to fit a thin shirt underneath; if you can’t, it’s probably too tight.”
Versatility hinges on weight, silhouette and colour. “Clean, classic silhouettes like crewnecks and quarter-zips are the most adaptable,” Lund mentioned. She added that neutrals like navy, charcoal, camel and olive “mix well across dress codes.”
Scott strengthened that concept, saying, “a lightweight merino or cotton sweater that provides warmth but is not too heavy” works within the widest vary of conditions. Allen added that “the smoother and more refined the knit, the easier it is to dress up or down.”
The following FAQs have been answered by style consultants Turner Allen, Sepeedeh Hashemian, Jennifer Lund, Caroline Reilly and Tom Scott.
Experts persistently level to material, building and early put on indicators because the clearest indicators of high quality. “Fabric is the first place to look,” Lund mentioned. “High-quality sweaters are typically made from 100% merino wool, cashmere or well-constructed cotton blends.”
In apply, which means checking the sweater earlier than you ever put it on. Lund suggested that if a sweater is “already pilling under the arms or looks stretched out on the hanger, it’s a sign the fibers are weak and won’t wear well.”
Scott echoed that sentiment, saying he evaluates knitwear primarily based on “design, yarn quality and construction,” including that absolutely normal sweaters — these formed throughout knitting relatively than reduce and sewn — normally present a greater match.
Allen put it extra bluntly: “If it feels flimsy or pills in the store, it’s only downhill from there.”
Experts had been practically unanimous right here: Classic silhouettes win. “I tend to steer older clients toward timeless silhouettes like a crewneck, quarter-zip, polo sweater or shawl collar,” Lund mentioned. “They’re refined and versatile, unlike hoodies or bold striped sweaters, which can skew young.”
Allen agreed, including that “simple crewnecks, half-zips and shawl collars look especially handsome.” Reilly additionally recommends sticking to “classic styles and conservative colors,” noting that wealthy tones like navy, burgundy and forest inexperienced have a tendency to be extra flattering than pale grey.
Warmth comes from each fiber and knit construction. “When warmth is the goal, look for heavier wool blends or pure cashmere,” Lund mentioned. She particularly cited shawl-collar and zip kinds for combining insulation with breathability.
Scott pointed to gauge. “I’d suggest a warmer, chunkier-gauge wool sweater.” Meanwhile, Allen defined why fisherman knits work so nicely: “The raised cable and honeycomb stitches create tiny air pockets that trap heat.”
Several consultants additionally highlighted alpaca, with Reilly calling it “a common go-to for clients who want something warmer than wool.”
The consensus? Price alone is just not a assure. “A high price tag doesn’t guarantee a better sweater,” Lund mentioned. “Fit is always the most important factor.”
That mentioned, greater costs usually replicate actual variations. “You’re paying for fiber quality, knit density and construction,” Allen mentioned. “Higher prices make sense when the sweater won’t lose its shape after three wears.” Hashemian mentioned to “look beyond the price tag and focus on material, craftsmanship, durability and how often you’ll actually wear it.”
Scott framed it as a mindset shift: “I’d rather invest in a few well-made pieces that last for years than accumulate many that won’t.”
For this text, we consulted the next consultants to acquire their skilled insights.
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Jon Adams, Nordstrom private stylist
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Turner Allen, men’s private stylist and founding father of Style Turner
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Sepeedeh Hashemian, Nordstrom private stylist
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Patrick Kenger, men’s private stylist at Pivot Image Consulting
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Jennifer Lund, private shopper and picture advisor for males, and proprietor of A Sharp Dressed Man
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Caroline Reilly, private menswear stylist and style author
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Tom Scott, affiliate professor of style design and knitwear at Fashion Institute of Technology
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Laura Showalter, private stylist at Laura Showalter Styling
NCS Underscored has a group of expert writers and editors with a few years of expertise testing, researching and recommending merchandise who guarantee every article is fastidiously edited and merchandise are correctly vetted. We speak to prime consultants when relevant to make sure we’re testing every product precisely, recommending solely the best merchandise and contemplating the professionals and cons of every merchandise. For this story, contributing author and former NCS Underscored deputy editor Scott Simone consulted type consultants in regards to the best men’s sweaters and the way to select a high quality piece that can final you season after season.