The 21 Best Sweaters to Buy Right Now

- Soft yet durable cotton fabric
- V-neck that's ideal for layering
- Need to wash delicately
When it comes to tennis sweaters, Esquire editor Luke Guillory thinks you can't get much better than Brooks Brothers—and he's not wrong. The brand quite literally invented the style, way back when it still was a sports garment. Guillory especially loves the cotton material, which he finds more durable and comfier than traditional wool. Layer this with a t-shirt or button-up for the perfectly preppy look.
Colors | 3 |
Material | 100% cotton |
- Ton of color options
- Lightweight
- Shape can lie flat after some wear
We like Everlane's No-Sweat sweater as an everyday choice. It fits like a glove, it's lightweight, and it comes in a ton of colors. The cotton-poly blend means it keeps you airy and doesn't hold onto sweat.
Colors | 10+ |
Material | Cotton-poly |
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- Great fit
- Soft material
- Pricey
Remember those heavy knit sweaters we mentioned you'd need? Yeah, this is one of them. Todd Snyder's modern take on the fisherman-style sweater uses an open tuck stitch pattern and spacedyed yarn. This basically means multiple colors were applied along the length of the yarn to give it a mixed, multi-colored hue. That stitch and dye pattern gives the sweater a "tactile and visual texture," as Todd Snyder describes it, that will certainly help you stand out at the ski lodge this winter.
- Sturdy
- Insulates when wet
- Only comes in two colors
This is the kind of sweater to get the dad who says they never want anything for the holidays or for their birthday, and who also wears the same two pairs of pants. It's simple, it's utilitarian, and Filson specifically designed it with premium merino wool for optimal density and warmth. We'd especially recommend it as a gift for any fishermen out there—the fabric will insulate, even when wet.
Colors | 2 |
Material | Merino wool |
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- Lots of color options
- Might feel too heavy
Something about this sweater inspires the smell of sandalwood, which is to say the homespun cotton rib looks supremely cozy. It also comes in a variety of colorways that both make a statement but are neutral enough you can easily style with a bunch of pieces.
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- Great price
- Has some stretch
- Material makeup not for everyone
There are few basics we wouldn't go to Uniqlo for, but we're particularly partial to the well-priced, lightweight sweaters. This quarter-zip feels like a hoodie but looks more put together.
Colors | 4 |
Material | Acrylic, polyester, wool, spandex |
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- Only available in one color
In our round-up of the best cardigans, we described this Fortela Majes cardigan as something "straight off the hanger of Willem Defoe's wardrobe in Robert Eggers's The Lighthouse." This Ralph Lauren rollneck basically offers the sweater version of that. It's giving fashionable Popeye meets salt-air-accented ruggedness with its worn, mixed cable stitching and nautical-inspired Aran-knit.
Colors | 1 |
Materials | 80% cotton, 20% wool |
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- Available in a variety of colors and patterns
- Runs big and feels a little heavy
If you liked everything about that RRL rollneck, but found yourself wanting something a little cheaper and with more color options, then boy, does J. Crew have you covered. This re-release of J. Crew's famous 1988 rollneck sweater is the perfect sporty yet preppy retro look we need heading into this fall.
Colors | 9 |
Materials | 100% cotton |
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- Airy fabric
- Easy to dress up or down
- Requires some TLC to keep its shape
Lululemon's sweaters are a sleeper hit. It might not be the place you think of for a great sweater, but allow us to introduce this textured knit that is equal parts soft and airy. It has a great fit and does not feel in the slightest bit like it's going to trap heat.
Colors | 3 |
Material | Coolmax polyester, organic cotton, nylon |
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- Tons of color options
- Warm but not stuffy
- Hand wash only
Our editors call the Naadam original cashmere sweater the kind of piece that will "eradicate your need to ever shop for a new cashmere sweater again." Which definitely checks out, considering the brand specializes in crafting sustainable and quality cashmere at an affordable price. The material will keep you warm, but also feels lightweight enough that you won't break out in a sweat. You'll definitely want to buy a few for this winter—and not just because Naadam sells the piece in over 10 vibrant colors.
Colors | 10+ |
Material | 100% cashmere |
- Light Egyptian cotton and cashmere
- Only comes in two colors
Buck Mason designed this sweater in the spirit of 1960s Lake Como, and we can definitely envision Paul Newman lounging lakeside in a pair of chinos and loafers while wearing this relaxed silhouette. The Egyptian cotton and cashmere material also make it ideal for breezy evenings by the lake, or when you just need to shrug something on while hanging at the apple orchard.
Colors | 2 |
Materials | Egyptian cotton and cashmere |
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- Detachable logo
- Relaxed v-neck fit great for layering
- Only one color
- Hand wash only
Any Oasis fans heading to a show on the band's reunion tour will want to make sure they've got this sweater locked and loaded. Stone Island's basically a member of the band, considering how often Liam Gallagher was photographed wearing a piece emblazoned with the Italian sportswear brand's signature compass patch on the arm back in the '90s. Stone Island sweaters, parkas, and jackets have become a symbol of "lad culture," and Oasis played a big part in that. So, this winter, make sure everyone at the pub knows you're one of the lads with this relaxed v-neck sweater.
Colors | 1 |
Materials | 80% wool, 20% polyamide |
- Bold color and pattern
- $$$
Live out your Harry Styles, fashion-inspired dreams with this poodle zip-up from genderless fashion brand Tanner Fletcher. The zip-up design gives you some flexibility with layering and the bold red color makes a statement, but what really takes center stage with this sweater are the poodles patterned around the sweater. It feels whimsical with a tasteful bit of kitsch.
Colors | 1 |
Materials | 100% wool |
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- Colorful
- Hand wash only
Take a break from the basic, easy-to-style neutrals, and opt for this colorful crewneck from Octobre Editions. Made from a blend of wool and alpaca, this sweater pairs well with a worn pair of jeans and a frosted winter morning.
Colors | 1 |
Materials | 63% Wool, 20% Polyamide, 17% Alpaca |
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