What Are the Best Men’s Sweaters?

For an under-$100 cashmere sweater, you can’t beatUniqlo, a brand that ranks at the top of most every list of men’s clothing we put together, includingsocks,underwear, andT-shirts. Uniqlo’s sweaters were recommended by photographerChristopher Fenimoreas well as creative producerYale Breslin, who explains the appeal of the brand’s classic cashmere sweater simply: “The price is right and the fit is perfect.” His praise echoes Chris Black’s, whobuys two or threeUniqlo cashmere crewnecks every winter. “It’s well priced and fits like it should, not too tight but not too baggy,” he says of the crewneck, which comes in seven colors.

J. Press’s made-in-Scotland, 100 percent wool Shaggy Dog sweater has been an Ivy style staple ever since it hit shelves more than 80 years ago. Several men I spoke to, including financial analyst Chang Kim and Robert Khederian, a real-estate agent and author ofSecond Story, a newsletter about old houses, told me they love the Shaggy Dog. Khederian says it’s one of the best sweaters a guy can buy, calling it a “timeless menswear staple besides the penny loafer and navy blazer with gold buttons.” He owns two — one in dark green and another in brown and blue. They keep him warm on freezing midwinter days and always get him “the most compliments whenever I wear mine.” Brendon Babenzien, founder of the menswear brandNoah,is another fan of the J. Press Shaggy Dog, which he wears duringruns. Babenzien says it keeps him warm but doesn’t get drenched in sweat when he wears a proper base layer.

Those who prefer a slimmer silhouette should consider the Shaggy Dog trim fit, which Andrew Favorito, a Dior publicist and fashion consultant, Nico Lazaro, and author of the menswear newsletterThe Bengal Stripe, both love. “It’s the most worn item in my knitwear rotation — and entire wardrobe,” says Favorito, who describes the fit of his navy sweater as “trim without being tight,” adding that, despite its warmth, it manages to feel lightweight. Lazaro, who ownsa striped version, calls it “slightly preppy in that timeless way and incredibly wearable.” He notes that the shaggy texture of the Shetland wool “adds warmth and character without feeling precious.” The wool also makes it easy to maintain: It holds its shape and can go a long time between washes.

Sweaters from Harley of Scotland, founded in 1929, also garnered a couple of recommendations. Matthew Schnipper, an editor and author of the forthcoming memoirRise Above, likes this crewneck made from extra-fine merino wool. “The fleck-heavy look of Harley’s sweaters is one baby step toward pizzazz that a basic dresser like myself can live with,” he says. (It also comes in a textured gray.)

Yet another endorsement for Scottish wool comes from culture reporterReggie Ugwu, who calls Howlin’ his favorite contemporary sweater brand. The Antwerp-based knitwear company has been producing its goods in Scotland since 1981. Ugwu appreciates that Howlin’ is “traditional when it comes to craft and manufacturing but really playful with design and colors.” He owns three sweaters he loves from the brand, including this goldenrod crewneck he says “is just very pleasurable to look at — and goes well with my skin.”

Naadam’s cashmere sweaters came up a couple of times among the people I talked to. This wool-cashmere-blend crewneck is a favorite of design journalistFred Nicolaus, who appreciates the crewneck’s waffle-knit texture. “It gives it a hint of personality without being ‘a lot,’” he says, “and the fact that it’s cashmere makes it feel just dressy enough to get by for work stuff, too.” Antonio Nuno, co-founder ofSomeone Somewhere, prefers theoriginal cashmere crewneck, saying “it’s supersoft, and the fit is amazing,” two things that make it feel more like a $200 sweater as opposed to its $98 price tag.

You may be surprised to find a sweater from Patagonia on this list, but Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao tells me knitwear is one of the “most underrated categories in its catalogue.” Zhao has been wearing a recycled-cashmere quarter-zip he thrifted in high school for nearly two decades, “and it remains hole free.” He says this year’s recycled-wool collection is just as nice: “It offers the same thick, warm, and durable construction but comes in surprisingly edgy patterns and colors.” He ended up choosing this style, a marled gray-blue design with two-tone ribbed hems, but also tried on the “trippy distorted check pattern” intalon gold. While he prefers the relaxed fit of the true-to-size medium, he notes that you could comfortably size up if you prefer an oversize fit.

Here’s another classic wool pullover sweater, this time from heritage company Pendleton. Christopher Nicolson, managing winemaker atthe Red Hook Wineryand an Alaskan-salmon fisherman, has been wearing the washable sweaters made of New Zealand wool for years. Nicolson keeps the two he has in “quasi-constant winter rotation.”

Zhao also likes this wool crewneck from Swedish brand Nothings Somethings’ first knitwear collection because of how comfortable it is to wear indoors. “Despite the chunky appearance of the wide-ribbed hems, this 100 percent lambswool sweater is actually on the lighter side of midweight,” he says. “This sets it apart from similar designs from L.L.Bean and J.Crew, which are similarly well made, but often too warm for me to wear in a heated office space.”

Menswear writerMax Berlingerprefers “really thin, fine-gauge merino-wool sweaters,” like this one from Octobre, over a T-shirt for temperature regulation. “I’m always going between hot apartments, subway cars, and offices with cold transitions in between,” he says, “and these sweaters can handle all that when worn under a hearty coat.”

New YorkarchitectAlexander Sassaroli recently discovered this Scandinavian brand after it opened a store in Nolita. He particularly loves the Tietar merino-wool sweater in brown. Made from non-mulesed wool, the sweater is “so warm and not scratchy at all,” he says, and he loves the boxy, relaxed fit: “It feels like a nicely worn-in sweatshirt you can wear to work more than a wool sweater.”

Sweaters made from alpaca can be a good alternative for folks who find wool too itchy. Alpaca is lighter than sheep wool and considered to be as soft as cashmere (it’s also naturally thermoregulating). Zhao likes this alpaca-blend sweater from Yardsale and calls it the “softest, stretchiest sweater I’ve ever worn.” Made from a blend of 68 percent alpaca, 28 percent nylon, and 4 percent Spandex, it “combines the fuzzy appearance of a Shaggy Dog knit with the luxurious feel of alpaca and the stretchiness of a performance fabric,” he says. Zhao usually wears a medium in most men’s tops but got a large in this style based on the size chart. “I recommend sizing up for a more relaxed fit to make the most of the slinky drape,” he says.

Yak wool is another alternative to sheep’s wool that is known to be insulating yet breathable. This cable-knit sweater from Oliver Charles is another favorite of Lazaro’s. “I love it for its modern construction and the 3-D-knit yak wool, which is naturally warm, resilient, and surprisingly breathable,” he says, noting that it feels like a technical fabric without looking like it. He likes to pair his sweaters with jeans or chinos, adding that they’re all easy to dress up for casual nights out with friends and family.

Stone Island’s “ghost” sweaters are named for their completely monochromatic design, including the brand’s badge logo. They’re a favorite ofConway Liao, founder of homeware concept brandHudson Wilder, who has owned one for over six years. “Stone Island is one of my go-tos in terms of quality and durability,” he says. The brand is known for its materials and technology. Made of 100 percent virgin wool, the sweater is “smooth and doesn’t feel scratchy like some lower-quality wools,” according to Liao, who likes to pair it with wool slacks.

For a nontraditional crewneck, consider this 70 percent cotton, 30 percent linen sweater from Our Legacy that Ugwu also swears by. “Everybody loves Our Legacy, and I appreciate the way its clothes feel both progressive and timeless,” he says. “The fraying at the openings of this sweater and its unusual draping make it seem like it could come from either the 16th century or the 26th.”

If you prefer a more traditional look, this military-inspired jumper from French brand Le Minor is a good option. It’s recommended bySean Nam, author ofMurder on Federal Street, who picked up a vintage version at a Paris flea market last year. He likes that it’s formfitting and extremely warm and appreciates the simplicity of the silhouette. “Unlike most of the other maritime pullovers in the jumble I sifted through, mine has an uncluttered look, lacking the traditional shoulder patches, pen holders, and other practical reinforcements that typically characterize this iconic workwear,” he says.

When Berlinger isn’t wearing his Octobre sweater, you can catch him in this V-neck from 3sixteen made from an alpaca-wool-blend yarn. “I wrote about howV-necks are having a moment, and I already have a nice navy cashmere one from Prada that I got at a sample sale. But I love this one because it’s pretty cropped and looks good on me as a shorter guy,” he says. He also loves the dark-gray wool and flecks of brown, white, and gray tones that give it a tweedy look. “It’s slightly heavier and a touch scratchy,” he adds, “but it just fits so, so well — I love it.”

Sassaroli is also partial to the V-neck, calling this J.Crew cashmere style his favorite sweater at the moment. “It has a great relaxed fit so it’s easy to wear over a collared shirt, but the V is not so low that you can’t wear it over a thick white T-shirt,” he says. “I think V-necks are very popular right now because they are so versatile like that.” Sassaroli has it in black, navy, charcoal, and oatmeal, but it’s currently available only in black.

Zhao prefers the look of a collared, buttonless polo sweater that still has that V-neck silhouette — like this 70-30 wool-cashmere-blend version from Helmut Lang. “I’ve been enjoying wearing this black sweater over jewel-toned T-shirts,” Zhao says. “The true-to-size fit is on the looser side of relaxed, draping elegantly off my shoulders.” And even though it’s made from a blend, he says it’s “every bit as soft as most pure-cashmere sweaters I’ve tried and feels luxurious against bare skin.”

18 East director of merchandisingAndrew Changloves this colorful V-neck from Kiko Kostadinov. Although it’s from a couple of seasons ago, it’s one of the sweaters he wears most. “I love the relaxed, cropped take on a V-neck style,” he says. “It also has this super-interesting blue detail running down the sleeves that makes this sweater a statement piece for any outfit.” It’s made of virgin wool and has dropped shoulders and a rolled hem and cuffs.

Sometimes a V-neck vest does the trick. Writer, teacher, and musicianAndrew Marzoniloves this vest, which is a replica of the Fair Isle sweater Paul McCartney bought from Michael Ross in the 1960s and famously wore inMagical Mystery Tour. “I’m not always in the mood to make this big of a statement, but when I am, I’m grateful that I have this waiting for me,” says Marzoni.

[Editor’s note: Original Blues lists all prices in pounds, so the price shown is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]

A cardigan you can keep buttoned up or open is a versatile option throughout the year. Zhao says this midweight merino one from Buck Mason is “soft enough to wear buttoned up to the collar against bare skin,” but he prefers how it looks with a few buttons undone on either end and worn over a white T-shirt. “It’s just thick enough to stand alone as a shoulder-season outer layer, yet slim enough to layer under a chore jacket or overcoat as a winter mid-layer. It would also be a good candidate for tying over one’s shoulders,” says Zhao, who notes that it has a slim fit but is true to size.

As sweaters go, you can’t get more classic than Lacoste. Marzoni has had one of the brand’s cardigans in his closet since he started thrifting in high school. “I picked up the red one I own for $15 used somewhere in Williamsburg or Bushwick,” he says. “The sleeves are a little long for my taste, but they look best rolled up anyway, to add a little vintage flair to a casual outfit.” To dress it up, Marzoni likes to wear the Lacoste or his two cashmere V-neck cardigans from J.Crew (sadly no longer available) with a dress shirt or oxford. “You’ll rarely see me in winter without one under my coat,” he says.

Sassaroli prefers cardigans without pockets, saying their presence makes the sweater fit strangely. Naadam’s is the best pocketless cashmere cardigan he’s found. He owns it in several colors and likes to layer it over collared shirts. He notes that the brand’s sweaters run small and advises ordering a size up.

Ugwu learned about Harley of Scotland from a friend who works in textiles, and he praises the quality of the wool of his blue cardigan, especially “the way the little flecks of white make the blue really pop.” Ugwu notes that while you can’t buy directly from Harley, the brand is stocked at small boutiques.

I got my husband this cardigan from Toast for his birthday last year because he kept stealing myBabaà cardigan. It’s made from a heavy flecked wool (in a now sold-out copper color) from Donegal, Ireland, and has side patch pockets. He likes how warm and thick it is and calls it a “fancier, fuzzier” hoodie. I would say it has a bit of an oversize fit, especially on my husband’s smaller frame. I got it in a small but an extra small might have worked better. Still, he wears it constantly — and perhaps more important, stopped taking my Babaà.

After receiving the Toast cardigan last year, my husband was on a bit of a sweater kick in the winter and got this shawl-collar cardigan from the Japanese company Kamakura. He was inspired bySteve McQueen’s cardiganand after trying a couple of others, found this one was the closest to the look he was going for. It’s made in Japan of thick rib-knit English wool and has patch pockets. He likes that it’s formal enough to wear to a work meeting, unlike the Toast cardigan, which he says is more “Brooklyn creative.”

Lazaro loves the blue on this fine-gauge wool turtleneck made in Italy. “A great way to introduce color into a winter rotation,” he says. “It’s elegant but not stiff, and the blue really lifts otherwise neutral outfits.”

My husband also added the J.Crew roll-neck to his sweater rotation recently and appreciates the weight of the cotton. “It feels very heavy, in a nice way, and the rolled neck gives you a nautical look,” he says. As with his other sweaters, he can throw this on over T-shirts and feel instantly pulled together. It’s also easy to toss into the wash when it starts to look a little grimy.

This roll-neck from 18 East has a bit more flair thanks to its Fair Isle pattern and striped cuffs and is a new favorite of Andrew Chang’s. Handloomed in Peru from baby alpaca, it has a slightly cropped cut that Chang says “sits really well at the waistline.” He also notes that the small roll “keeps it very comfortable on the neck and adds a nice subtle design element.”

Zhao likes this zippered sweater jacket (or “swacket,” as menswear writer Jake Woolf dubs them) for the glint the two-way zipper adds against the dark-navy fabric. Inspired by flight jackets, it can be opened from either direction, which Zhao says can add ventilation or “highlight an interesting collar-layering stack or an antique belt buckle.” He likes the thickly knit merino, which he says “holds its own as an outer layer on nicer winter days — it even has convenient hand-warmer pockets — but isn’t too heavy to wear under a coat.” Zhao mentions that it would be a great option to wear under awaxed-cotton raincoatlike a Barbour Beaufort.

“This is my elevated off-duty staple,” says Lazaro of this 100 percent cashmere hoodie from Reigning Champ, one of the Strategist’s go-to brands forloungewear. “It’s essentially a luxury upgrade to the everyday hoodie — incredibly soft and relaxed but still polished enough to wear out of the house without feeling sloppy.”