The Best Men’s Sweaters for Every Occasion

A solid sweater will go a long way towards making your dressing decisions seem more deliberate. That being said, picking a sweater is a bit like choosing a streaming service. You recognize the fact that you need one, and you appreciate that each style brings something slightly different to the table. However, when it comes time to pony up, the agony of picking the right one for your tastes often means that you’ve had enough long before it’s even time to commit. Rather than inundating yourself with the sheer variety of what’s on the market, just take a look at our guide. We’ve broken it down by type of sweater, with suggestions along the way for what we’ve deemed to be the absolute best sweaters for men.

our selection

As a guy, there aren’t a ton of unordinary options when it comes to low-profile winter wear, especially in the case of sweaters. There are, however, a handful of notable styles that have become an essential part of the menswear community over time, making it inherently easy to outline the must-have, must-know staples of the season. Luckily, the sweater space is plentiful, with great-looking, iconic examples that will take your cold-weather wardrobe up a notch. It goes without saying that we’re huge fans of the men’s outerwear space, and as such, we implore you to maintain a firm grasp of the six essential sweater styles that every guy should know. From casual crew and v-neck offerings, all the way to the illustrious world of the classy cardigan, and smartly-tuned half-zip, there’s a cornucopia of companies who trade in the outfit of the fashion-forward man. For our selection, we’ve included everything from designer to workwear, and covered a variety of sweater styles to help you on the hunt

Types Of Sweaters

• Crewnecks
• V-Necks
• Turtlenecks
• Cardigans
• Zip Sweaters
• Hoodies

what to look for

Material: No matter the style, natural materials like wool (Merino, cashmere, lambswool) and cotton are your best bet because they’re classic, comfortable, and keep you warm. Synthetics like acrylic, polyester, and nylon can be good too, but may not give you as much warmth as the natural stuff (and will be less durable).

Fit: The important thing here is to get something that’s not too tight and not too loose. However, with different styles come different fits, and something like a v-neck, for example, may naturally be looser than a crewneck.

Style: We’ll get into our favorite styles below in six categories to help you find the perfect sweater, breaking it down further into our favorite pick and a worthy runner-up.

Crewnecks

Crewnecks are one of the most classic sweater styles, and they come in a wide variety of material constructions and designs. There are classics like the fisherman sweater, and modern, more minimal silhouettes if that’s your speed.

L.L.Bean Men’s Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweater

Editor’s Pick: To start our favorite collection of crewnecks, we’re going with an absolute staple. L.L.Bean’s cable-knit icon is practically eternal and available in more colors than you can imagine. Cut and sewn from nothing but premium cotton fibers, this piece has been keeping fishermen warm for decades and is bound to bode just as well in your closet. Plus, the fully cotton-crafted option is available in four colors fit for year-round wear.

Norse Projects Sigfried Merino Lambswool Sweater

Runner-Up: Sure, that tired old crewneck from your glory days may hold a special place in your heart, but it’s doing you no favors when it comes to your wardrobe. Instead, grab Norse Projects’ Sigfred Lambswool sweater, an option that combines a classic collegiate silhouette with a premium Italian lambswool construction. With its set-in sleeves and single-rib collar, hem, and cuffs, it can be dressed down for daily wear or spruced up for special occasions.

V-necks

These share a lot of similarities with the crewneck but deviate (pretty obviously) around the neck. This gives you a more laid-back look, and what you may sacrifice in warmth, you make up for in style.

NN07 Grayson 6466 V-Neck Sweater

Editor’s Pick: NN07 excels at making casual knitwear, with this option serving as a solid bridge between accessible and too expensive. The luxe piece is rounded out with cuffed gems for a proper fit that oozes upscale appeal. Layer it up alongside your go-to coat with cozy wool trousers or keep things simple and rock the sweater with some simple black jeans.

Acne Studios Wool V-Neck Sweater

Runner-Up: Available in over a handful of colors and crafted from nothing but RWS wool, we’re rather taken with this burly choice from Acne, and for good reason. Considering the brand’s exemplary knitwear is practically on par with its premium denim, this V-neck offers little room for error, as you can dress it up, down, or right in the middle. Plus, it’s conveniently lightweight while staying warm enough to don all winter. 

Turtlenecks

These go by many names (mock neck, roll neck, etc.), but they all share one thing in common: a neckline that covers a portion of your neck in a warm embrace. So channel your inner Steve Jobs and take a look at our favorites.

Sunspel Lambswool Roll Neck

Editor’s Pick: There’s nothing worse than wearing an itchy sweater all day long, which is why lambswool is one of the best materials to look for when buying a new one. This option from British heritage brand Sunspel uses yarn from one of the world’s oldest fabric spinners. Then, after it’s knitted, the turtleneck is washed in Scottish spring water, making it incredibly soft and luxuriously comfortable.

Knickerbocker Pile Fleece Turtleneck

Runner-Up: While this turtleneck deviates itself from the traditional fleece, you can rest assured it’s probably far warmer than the average pick. Knickerbocker’s unique Pile Fleece piece is delivered in a sleek, all-black look that will co-exist well with anything in your closet. It’s rounded out with a trusty snap pocket at the chest and a fluffy feel that is ideal around this time of the year.

Cardigans

This is likely what your dad (and your dad’s dad) prefers when it comes to sweaters, and you can rock the Mr. Rogers look with our favorite picks below. They’ll usually come with buttons, but zippers work just as well and can give you a more modern look.

Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan

Editor’s Pick: Shawl cardigans, unlike the regular cardigan, operate as a remarkable top layer, all the while separating themselves from most jackets you’ll find. This piece from one of our favorite brands around is sewn from a sturdy, comfortable blend of cashmere and merino wool. Buck Mason touts the chunky knit piece as a cold-weather staple, and, frankly, it’s impossible to disagree with that.

J.Crew Cashmere V-Neck CArdigan

Runner-Up: As the purveyor of prep, J.Crew is a brand that’s well-steeped with cardigan expertise — something you’ll quickly come to find with the sweater we’ve featured here. Certified to Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) standards, it uses only the most responsibly sourced cashmere wool available. This means that it’s not only more environmentally-conscious throughout the supply chain, but also that the resulting sweater is light, supple, and surprisingly durable for its weight. If you’re looking for an understated cardigan with a classic cut, this is the sweater for you.

Zip Sweaters

A zipped sweater offers a more custom fit, and lets you show off layers underneath. These are a great choice for both casual and professional looks (and especially popular athletic choices), and can easily be dressed up with a nice dress shirt underneath, or dressed down with a soft tee.

Champion Reverse Weave Quarter Zip Pullover

Editor’s Pick: Champion’s quarter-zip takes the idea of a high-end style piece and places it into a great-looking, affordable package. To keep the garment relatively low-key, a proprietary cotton/poly blend constitutes its overarching feel, harkening back to the inherently minimalistic staples of early-era sweaters. The result? A fashionable, functional piece that looks equally as handsome off the court, as it does on. And thanks to Champion’s subtle branding, which arrives courtesy of a small appliqued logo on the chest, you’ll never have to worry about mistaking this quarter-zip for something less iconic.

Reiss Blackhall Merino Wool Zip Neck Jumper

Runner-Up: Reiss’ Blackhall Half-Zip is a luxurious take on the refined zip-up style, incorporating high-end Merino wool, an ultra-soft feel, and a smart funnel neck that complements virtually any outfit with ease. The company’s renowned manufacturing methods and attention to detail reign supreme here, offering buyers a subtle, but sociable garment that’s been built to complement your wardrobe’s most applicable clothing, and enhance it in unassuming ways. Layer this with an off-kilter color or different shades of grey for a surprising revelation.

Hoodies

Now that we’re well into fall, it’s time to grab a comfy hoodie for days on the town and nights chilling at home. While it’s a bit harder to pull off a professional look with a hoodie, they’re versatile when it comes to putting together a city-friendly style, and can be elevated with some nice pants and vintage sneakers.

Carhartt Rain Defender Hoodie

Editor’s Pick: This durable hoodie from workwear legend Carhartt is unsurprisingly soft yet reliable, and built for taking a beating. It’s constructed with heavy-duty fabric and is able to handle rough conditions and keep you warm in cold weather. On top of that, the Rain Defender technology keeps water at bay, and the loose fit allows for more room and easy-going comfort.

American Giant Classic Pullover

Runner-Up: This USA-based and built company touts this as one of the best hoodies ever made, and we’re inclined to believe them. This hoodie offers a double-lined hood and reinforced elbow padding, ensuring plush comfort and warmth throughout.

The Best Sweatpants for This Fall

You’ve got the top covered; now it’s time to focus on your bottom half. With our guide to the best sweatpants, you can mix and match several pieces to keep warm all winter long.