The 11 Very Best Sweaters for Women

Sizing: XXS to XXL | Material: Cotton | Weight: Midweight | Design details: Crewneck with balloon sleeves and buttons | Price: $$

Alex Mill, known for its high-quality wardrobe basics, unsurprisingly makes very good sweaters. But of all of them, the best-value option is this two-in-one sweater and cardigan, which counts Ingrid Nilsen as a fan. I’ve been testing mine for about six months now, and it’s become one of my most-worn pieces because of its versatility. The chunky, 100 percent cotton yarn is substantial yet breathable enough for year-round wear, and the slightly oversize fit and balloon sleeves make it perfect for layering. On chillier days, I layer it over a thin turtleneck, and on warmer days, I unbutton it and wear it as a cardigan over tees. I also love to wear it as a true sweater with the buttons at the back. Many of my friends have commented on the ingenious reversible design.

The sweater comes in three solid colors — dark navy, ecru, and black — and two striped options. Just note: To prevent shrinking, I use a gentle cycle when washing it and lay it flat to dry on a towel. So far, I haven’t had any issues.

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

If you’re looking for a less expensive straightforward pullover sweater, go for Everlane’s cozy alpaca-fleece sweater. We’ve linked the newest version of the longtime favorite Cocoon Crew. It’s “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). 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. Compared to the Alex Mill, it’s definitely breezier, but it’s incredibly easy to layer with because of its oversize fit. It comes in nine colors and sizes XXS to XXL.

Sizing: XXS to XXL | Material: Cashmere | Weight: Lightweight | Design details: Crewneck | Price: $

Naadam offers good-quality cashmere at an affordable price. The brand offers a wide selection of 100 percent cashmere sweaters, including turtlenecks, mock-necks, cardigans, and more. Its best-selling product, the Essential, comes in at just $75 and is a classic crewneck. I’ve had mine for about six months now, and it’s gotten plenty of wear. Whether I’m running errands around town or heading to a Pilates workout class, I can easily pair it with jeans or bike shorts. It’s soft without being mushy, but it does have a slight slickness to it. Though it’s subject to pilling, it’s nothing a cashmere depiller can’t handle. Kate Mullin, director of brand marketing and global communications at Anine Bing, loves the brand for “the quality, the color variety, and, best of all, the prices.” The Essential comes in 18 colors and sizes XXS to XXL.

Sizing: 3XS to 3XL | Material: Cashmere | Weight: Midweight | 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 3XL with petite options | Material: Cotton | Weight: Midweight | Design details: Crewneck with cable knit | Price: $

L.L.Bean is the classic choice if you want a traditional cable-knit sweater. The brand’s is made entirely of machine-washable organic cotton and is affordably priced under $100. 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 five colors.

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

When Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla sought 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: One size | Material: Wool | Weight: Heavyweight | Design details: Oversized with a ribbed neck and dropped sleeve | Price: $$$

Spanish brand Babaà is known for its high-quality fabrics and distinctive silhouettes. Avila was able to try out its Jumper No17 — one of the brand’s best sellers — and say it’s incredibly warm and substantial with slightly more weight than Alex Mill’s Button-Back Sweater. MEUS boutique owner Marichelle Hills, a source for the black turtleneck sweater, says hers “literally feels like a hug,” as the wool the company uses gets softer as you wear it, “so it’s meant to be worn forever and ever.” It comes in 13 different shades, including neutrals and more eye-popping options like the “olivera” pictured. Note if you’re petite: This sweater comes in only one size option and is meant to be oversize, so be sure to double-check the measurements listed on the site.

[Editors’ note: Babaà lists its prices in euros, so this is an approximation to U.S. dollars.]

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

Writer and former beauty editor-at-large at Business of Fashion 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 sale at SSENSE, but sizing and colorways can be limited. If you’re looking for a larger stock, Lisa Yang’s site has more options. It comes in three sizes: 0 (XS), 1 (S-M), and 2 (M-L).

Sizes: XS to XXL | Material: Cotton | Weight: Midweight | 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 midweight 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 Miramar sweatpant 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: Bathen co-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 their Curious Cardigan.