A great sweater is so much more than a closet basic—it’s an indispensable layering piece. The best sweaters for men are functional, versatile and stylish: They’re made with soft-not-scratchy fabrics, come in just-right weights, offer a flattering fit and can be dressed up or down.
The best sweaters for men are a just-right weight, they’re comfortable and they’re stylish for cool … [+] days and nights.
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The picks on our list check all these boxes and more: We love the Banana Republic Alta Cashmere Crewneck Sweater for its softness and all-season weight, the Faherty Movement Crewneck Sweater for its elevated performance fabric, and the Peter Millar Autumn Crest Suede Trim Quarter Zip for its versatility and elevated look. You’ll want to add these sweaters to your rotation when the temperature drops.
If you’re a guy who tends to overheat in sweaters even in winter, this is a great option for you. It’s made from cotton and Coolmax EcoMade polyester, which is breathable and moisture wicking, but the look is also elevated so it’s a marked step up from a sweatshirt. The Movement Crewneck comes in both standard and tall lengths and in seven colors.
J.Crew is known for the quality of their cashmere sweaters, and this style comes in a just-right weight. The key: You will be able to transition from the cold outdoors to inside without feeling like you’re suffocating from a hot sweater. It also comes in four guy-friendly neutrals that go with everything.
Part of the beauty of this sweater is that it’s streamlined in thickness and fit, but it’s also warm. Cut from 100% merino wool, it’s thermoregulating so you can maintain an ideal temperature without overheating. The slim fit also works well layered under a coat, and it comes in six colors.
Mack Weldon’s clothing is well designed with thoughtful fabric construction. This sleek sweater—made from Lenzing EcoVero, merino wool, nylon and spandex—has stretch so it’s neat and streamlined without being overly clingy. Reviewers love it for its warmth, breathability and fit. It’s available in navy or black—we just wish it came in more colors.
This polo shirt sweater hybrid features a three-button placket, collar and fitted-at-the-waist silhouette. The look is elevated, making it great for the office or dinners out, but it has a soft, lived in feel that you’ll love for weekends, too. This style comes in two colors—vintage heather grey and dark grey.
A quarter zip style is a staple for lots of guys because it layers well over tees and button downs. But you can feel good about wearing this sweater too, because it’s made from recycled plastic bottles and Seawool, which is partially comprised of discarded oyster shells. The Larchmont Quarter Zip is roomy without looking sloppy, and it comes in four grey and blue shades that can be worn everywhere from urban winter days to cool nights on your beach vacation.
Quality cashmere is invaluable, but finding quality cashmere at a reasonable price is like finding a unicorn. Quince’s turtleneck sweater is relaxed with a sophisticated feel, and it’s great as a standalone piece or for layering. Reviewers love this style for its quality, style and soft hand feel. It comes in three core colors.
For a sweater that will take you from outdoor sporting events to dinners with friends, we love this supersoft raglan style. It’s cut from a Pima cotton and alpaca blend and features a standard fit that moves with you and isn’t uncomfortably fitted. It also has knit-in elbow patches that add a chic and subtle style detail rather than old-man-ish feel.
Cut from a merino and lyocell blend, this sweater is ideal for pairing with khakis, corduroys and chinos. It retains its shape well, so you don’t get a stretched out, poufy look after a couple of hours or wears. This classic fit sweater comes in eleven colors, from neutrals to pastels to jewel tones.
This sweater is both classic and special, which means you’ll reach for it often. It’s knitted from luxurious 12-gauge cashmere that’s soft on skin and appropriate for all seasons. Plus, it comes in 14 serene neutrals and rich jewel tones, and it’s available in regular and tall fits.
Hoodies are the ultimate in relaxed weekend wear, but this one has a more pulled together vibe due to the cotton cashmere construction and ribbed detailing. The fit is on the roomy side, making this the perfect lounge-to-brunch option. Wear it with joggers or jeans for a pulled together off-duty look.
Cotton can be comfortably worn in all four seasons, which makes this a versatile piece for layering all year round. The cable design is both unique and timeless, and it looks great styled with everything from worn denim to a brushed five-pocket pant. It comes in regular and tall lengths, and four colors—beige, navy, olive grey and sienna orange.
A shawl neck style has an old school, traditional feel, but this chunky rib knit sweater reads more rugged and refined than Mr. Rogers. It’s made from 100 percent fine merino wool that’s soft and temperature regulating, it looks great over a button down or fitted tee, and it has pockets.
Understated style details, a durable and soft cotton feel and a mid-weight fabric make this sweater a classic layering piece. Wear it over a tee in summer or under a jacket in cooler months. Washing note: To prevent excessive shrinking, lay this flat to dry after washing.
Think of this as a vintage-inspired, preppy statement sweater. It’s made from a blend of wool, cotton, alpaca, nylon and linen—so you’ll be kept warm even on frigid winter days. It offers room through the chest but is still fitted through the waist and has a rib knit hem.
Bonobos’ men’s staples are well constructed and practical. This wool nylon blend sweater has stretch that retains its shape over time, and the boucle construction has subtle texture for visual interest. It comes in black, camel and blue green.
Merino wool is not only thermoregulating, but it also wears incredibly well over time. The lightweight fabric looks elegant enough for the office or dressier venues but also can be dressed down with denim. This sweater comes in five easy-to-wear, wardrobe-friendly colors.
There’s a lot to love about this sweater: It’s made with 100% cotton so it’s a great all-year weight, the natural stretch fabric offers a flattering fit and it comes in 24 colors and patterns so you’re bound to find exactly what you’re looking for. To note: It’s not preshrunk, so expect slight shrinkage after the first wash. It also comes in extended sizing up to 5XL big and tall.
Yes, there is such a thing as a dressy hoodie, and Everlane’s take is the perfect combination of elevated and relaxed. Style it with denim, chinos or wool trousers all fall and winter long. It comes in seven gorgeous, earthy neutrals. Another Everlane favorite we also recommend if you run hot: The No-Sweat Sweater.
If you’re in need of a game-day sweater, we like the simplicity of this cotton nylon blend. Wear it to stay cozy when tailgating or while showing your team spirit from your couch. This sweater comes in sizes XS to 3XL and in regular and tall lengths.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’re men’s fashion specialists, having covered everything from the most comfortable dress shoes for men to the best suits for men. We meticulously research and test clothing to determine the most stylish, comfortable and versatile pieces for everything from work to weekends.
The editor for this story, Forbes Vetted Deputy Editor Kari Molvar, holds a certificate in fashion styling from the Business of Fashion and has covered lifestyle topics—and more recently, fashion—for two decades.
Longtime Forbes Vetted contributor Molly Calhoun wrote this story. She consistently covers men’s fashion, having written about topics such as the best jeans for men, the best briefcases for men and the best business casual shoes. She is constantly on the hunt for the perfectly-stylish-but-not-too-warm sweater for her husband.
This story is continuously updated to include new items and reflect changes in availability and pricing. It was last updated in September 2024.
How We Chose The Best Sweaters For Men
At Forbes Vetted, we have extensive experience with men’s clothing and accessories, and we frequently seek out the expertise of fashion experts and fabric scientists.
For this story, we looked at popular menswear brands that are known for high-quality fabrics and accessible design features.
We evaluated each design for fit, fabric quality and composition, design details, sizing availability, color options and pricing.
We included styles we have direct experience with, including those from J.Crew, Peter Millar and Brooks Brothers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s The Best Way To Clean A Sweater?
It all depends on the sweater fabric, so you should always check the care label first. It’s typically safe to dry clean a wool or cashmere sweater every few wears, but it’s not necessary to dry clean it each time you wear it. You can wait until it’s soiled, smelly or needs an overall fabric refresh. In general, cotton and poly blend sweaters can be machine washed. If you are hand or machine washing a sweater on a gentle cycle, we recommend laying it flat to dry to avoid causing fabric damage or any shrinking.
Which Sweater Is Warmest?
While sweaters are intended to be layering pieces for warmth, there is a significant difference in coziness between fabrics. Cotton, wool and cashmere are all thermoregulating and breathable, but cotton will tend to be the least warm, while cashmere is generally the most insulating and the warmest. However, you will often see wool and cashmere in all-season weights that work well in warmer months, too. In terms of dressiness, wool and cashmere are more formal than cotton. High quality cottons, wools and cashmeres will all be soft, but the fabric you choose will often depend on personal preference.
How Do I Know My Sweater Size?
In general, most sweaters tend to fit true to size, but always check the fit notes for each brand. If you’re looking for something dressier, you may want a refined knit that fits closer to the body. For relaxed weekend wear, you may choose a more relaxed fit that allows you room to move and lounge. Key things to consider when it comes to sizing: fabric and stretch. Looser weaves, which you’ll sometimes see in cottons or waffle knits, tend to stretch more quickly and may appear baggier than you’d like. Fabrics with elastane will have better fabric rebound—meaning, the fabric will snap back into place during and after wearing so it will retain its shape.
