The 13 Very Best Sweaters for Women

Whatwe’relookingfor

Sizing:XS to XXL |Material:Mongolian cashmere |Weight:Mid-weight |Design details:Crewneck with cable-knit pattern |Price:$$

When our former best-overall sweater from Alex Mill was discontinued last year, I went on amonthslong huntto track down a worthy replacement.Bloomingdale’s in-house line of cashmere, C by Bloomingdale’s, makes some pretty excellent sweaters, it turns out. Of the several styles I tried from the line, this cable-knit crewneck earned the title of our new best-overall sweater: It’s both laid-back and polished-looking, has a classic round neckline, and is made of 100 percent natural fibers with a price tag that’s similar to other non-cashmere sweaters I tried (but even better, since it’s cashmere).

I’ve been testing mine for over two months now, and it’s become one of my most-worn pieces in my entire closet. The not-too-thick but not-too-flimsy cashmere feels substantial yet breathable enough for year-round wear, and the relaxed fit makes it perfect for layering over a long-sleeved tee or my favorite white tee. The sweater comes in ten colors, including navy, ecru,and black. Just note that I lightlybrush my sweaterafter each wear to ensure its softness, and I hand-washit in my sink and lay it flat to dry on a towel. So far, I haven’t had any issues. While I know the price for cashmere can be pretty steep and the C by Bloomingdale’s option is around $200 at full price, I’ve noticed that it’s often on sale for around $100, which makes it a clear steal in my eyes.

Sizing:XS to 3X |Material:Mongolia cashmere |Weight:Lightweight |Design details:Crewneck with straight fit |Price:$

If you’re not willing to spend $100 (or more) on a sweater, this crewneck from Quince is extremely affordable at just $50 and features soft Mongolian cashmere like the C by Bloomingdale’s version above. I’ve owned it for almost a year and love that it has ribbing on the neck, cuffs, and hem and that the straight fit falls between relaxed and slim. Compared to the C by Bloomingdale’s option, this cashmere is definitely lighter and more delicate, but given that it’s only 50 bucks, I appreciate that I don’t necessarily feel overly precious with this one. As for sizing, Quince offers XS to 3X (sizes 1X to 3X are ona separate product page). I’m five-foot-five and decided to size up from my regular size small since I have broad shoulders — I’m glad I did because the medium fits me perfectly.

Sizing:XXS to XXL |Material:55% alpaca, 30% recycled nylon, 8% wool |Weight:Lightweight |Design details:Crewneck with oversized fit |Price:$$

If you’d prefer a pullover sweater that’s not made of cashmere, go for Everlane’s cozy alpaca-fleece sweater. The longtime favorite is “lightweight but still really warm, and the slightly fluffy texture reminds me of the angora sweaters my mom used to wear,” says Mia Leimkuhler, our former senior manager of audience engagement (and self-confessed Everlaneologist). My colleague Arielle Avila also owns this sweater and loves its fuzzy look and texture.“It feels a bit trendy, but its classic cut makes it a piece I can see myself wearing for years,” Avila says.Plus it’s incredibly easy to layer because of its slightly oversize fit. It comes in 12 colors and sizes XXS to XXL, so it’s a little more size inclusive than the above option.

Sizes:XXS to XXL |Material:53% cotton, 47% nylon|Weight:Mid-weight |Design details:Crewneck with a ribbed neck and cuffs |Price:$

If you’re looking for a cheaper pullover, consider this Gap crewneck that’s well under $100. It’s made from Gap’sCashSoft material, which I first learned about while working on ourguide to the best cardigans. CashSoft is extraordinarily soft and warm because it’s designed to feel like cashmere but without requiring any of the pesky maintenance. It’s substantial and not at all flimsy — meaning it doesn’t require hand-washing or special detergent — and compared to cashmere, it’s very affordable (and often on sale). I’m now a CashSoft devotee and so are multiple editors who have added the cashmere dupe to their closets:New YorkMagazine deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff and Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio both own this crewneck sweater, which features a ribbed neck and cuffs. Trolio has three — in cobalt, bright purple, and dark brown — and loves the variety of bright and bold colors. Swerdloff also owns the crewneck, and says the fabric feels fancy — especially for the reasonable price tag. While CashSoft is not an exact match for cashmere, Swerdloff told me it actually feels thicker and sturdier in a way that she prefers.

Sizes:S to L |Material:Wool |Weight:Mid-weight |Design details:Crewneck with chunky rib |Price:$$$

If you prefer an oversize pullover, here’s the Devon “jumper” from the London-based label With Nothing Underneath. After receiving a sample about a month ago, my editorHilary Reid says she has worn it at least once a week since. It’s made of 100 percent wool, which Reid says isn’t scratchy at all. The main draw, though, is that the sweater is oversize without being so bulky that it won’t fit under a coat.Unlike some oversize pullovers that are a little too shapeless, this one has a boxy cut that appears intentional and not as though you’re wearing the wrong size. “It honestly looks about three times as expensive as it is,” she tells me.

Sizing:XXXSto3X|Material:Cashmere |Weight:Mid-weight |Design details:Crewneck |Price:$$

For a more cropped silhouette, consider J.Crew’s Shrunken Crewneck, which our senior editor Hilary Reid recommends. She first bought it last year after realizing that all of the cashmere sweaters she owned felt too long and bulky when tucked into jeans. “This sweater was the perfect answer,” Reid told me. “It’s very slightly cropped, so it really hits just at the top of your hip.” While she initially bought it in the Heather Charcoal color shown, Reid later went back for it in two more shades. “The three sweaters became my most-worn pieces of last winter,” she says, adding that they pair just as well with jeans and wool pants as they do with pleated skirts and leather pants. Though she usually wears a size small, Reid sized up to a medium, which made it loose enough for layering a T-shirt underneath but still “shrunken” enough to keep it from looking too oversize. The cashmere has also held up nicely after multiple dry cleanings with very minimal pilling. “I’m already deciding which colors of the sweater I want to add to my collection this fall,” Reid says.

Sizes:XS to 3X with petite and tall options |Material:Cotton |Weight:Mid-weight |Design details:Crewneck with cable knit |Price:$

L.L.Bean is the classic choice if you want a traditional cable-knit fishermansweater. This one is made entirely of machine-washable organic cotton and is well priced under $150. Avila mostly wears hers layered with a white T-shirt because you can barely see through the knitting. “If I’m wanting to lean more into the prep aesthetic, it has enough room to layer with a button-up, too,” she says. While it has some heft to it, the cotton is much lighter than other wool cable-knit sweaters and is pleasantly breathable. It comes in a wide range of sizes, including plus and petite options, and seven colors.

Sizes:XXS to XXL |Material:Cotton and elastane |Weight:LightweightDesign details:Fitted with a ribbed knit and exposed seams |Price:$

When our fashion writer Ambar Pardillasought out the best black turtlenecks for women, Everlane’s ribbed turtleneck was popular among experts. Strategist kitchen-and-dining writer Emma Wartzman describes its fit as “tight enough that it doesn’t bunch up underneath things — it really hugs your skin — but not, like Uniqlo Heattech-tight.” Gabrielle Arruda, a fashion designer who also runs her own namesake style blog, is another fan and buys the turtleneck “each season, just because I know I’ll get so much use out of them.” It’s available in sizes XXS to XXL and in six solid colors and two striped options.

Sizes:XXS to XXXL |Material:55% alpaca, 30% polyamide, 15% wool |Weight:Heavyweight |Design details:Crewneck with snap buttons |Price:$$

I’ve long been a fan of the knitwear section at Sézane. You really can’t go wrong with any of the brand’s sweaters, and the Emilecardiganis one of its most popular styles. It’s made with alpaca, wool, and polyamide and has puffy sleeves and a perfectly oversize fit that makes it a go-to layer in my closet.(Katherine Heigleven called it a capsule-wardrobe staple.) While I have heard that some folks think the fabric blend borders on being itchy, I’ve never had an issue, even if I’m just wearing a bra underneath. Plus the boxy fit means it can be easily layered with a long-sleeved tee or T-shirt. The cardigan comes in over a dozen colors, including dark navy, taupe, and red.

Sizes:0-6 |Material:Cotton fleece |Weight:Heavyweight |Design details:Crewneck with snap buttons |Price:$$$

Agnès B.’s cardigans have gained acult status. So much so that Emilia Petrarca, a freelance fashion writer and a former senior fashion writer at The Cut,called themthe “Chanel tweed jacket of New York” back inMarch 2020. Former and current Strategist writers alike own it in different colors and cuts. We chose the Le Classique as the overall best cardigan sweater (over the Le Petite and the Rosana) because, as its name gives away, it has a classic straight-and-square cut that’s the most versatile of the styles and is available in 18 colors. AsNew York’s features editor Katy Schneiderputs it, “I hate to say these words, but this sweater is the answer to ‘How do I dress like a French girl?’”

Sizes:0-2 |Material:Cashmere |Weight:Lightweight |Design details:V-neck with buttons |Price:$$

Puck contributing beauty correspondent Rachel Strugatz is a fan of Lisa Yang’s V-neck button-up cashmere cardigans. She now owns three, with her favorite being the gray one. “It’s the perfect amount of boxy, and it’s cropped enough that it hits the top of your pants,” she says. It’s often on saleat SSENSE, but sizing and colorways can be limited. If you’re looking for a larger stock,Lisa Yang’s sitehas more options. It comes in three sizes: 0 (XS), 1 (S-M), and 2 (M-L).

Sizes:XS to XXL |Material:Cotton |Weight:Mid-weight |Design details:Crewneck with oversized buttons |Price:$$

Another cardigan on our radars is this chunky oversize option. A brand representative told me that the Nico is one of Alex Mill’s best-selling sweaters, and after testing it, I can understand why it’s a crowd-pleaser. The textured cotton yarn feels similar to our best overall Button-Back Crewneck above, meaning it’s mid-weight and works for all seasons. Compared to other cardigans I’ve owned over the years, I love that this one has roomy drop shoulders and large contrasting buttons. Because of its relaxed fit, I often pair it with my Rag & Bone Miramarsweatpant jeans, but I can easily dress it up with my favorite pleated trousers. Another plus is that there’s been no pilling or shedding.

I’m not the only Nico cardigan fan:Bathenco-founder Hannah Zisman also has it in a golden khaki colorway (no longer available) and says it “goes with anything — neutrals, brights, you name it.” Embracing the oversize look, Zisman sized up and loves “throwing it over a dress or linen set during cooler summer nights when I need a stylish extra layer,” she says.

Sizes:XS to L |Material:75% cotton, 16% wool, 9% recycled cashmere |Weight:Lightweight |Design details:Striped funnel turtleneck with contrast embroidery stitching and logo|Price:$$$

Two stylish folks we spoke to mentioned the Hong Kong–based knitwear company YanYan for sweaters that veer from the traditional crewneck cuts or basic colors. Bertello likes their multicolored summer knits, describing the details as “so unique and captivating, they almost remind me of a vintage garment.” Dani Des Roches, another fan of the brand and self-proclaimed “knitwear obsessive,” loves their statement sweaters. “Some people would go for a classic or simple garment, but one of YanYan’s multicolored and textured sweaters would have the most longevity in my closet,” she says, noting that her personal favorite is theirCurious Cardigan.