The best sweaters for men are a lot like Pokémon: there are way more varieties than you ever realized, and the more of them you have the better. Unlike Pokémon, however,
you won’t have to spend several months ignoring your family, dismantling your social life, and squinting at a Gameboy just to uncover all the essential sweaters a man should own—that’s what this article is for. We’ve determined the 10 foundational pullovers and cardigans you absolutely need in your wardrobe, and found the best versions of each for every budget. From the cable-knit classics to the unexpected swerves, the comfy cold weather layer has many forms. So become a knitwear master and catch ‘em all.
The V-Neck
After a few years out of the limelight—like post-baseball Jordan—the V-neck is ready to reclaim its menswear throne as the most versatile sweater in your closet.
Gap Mainstay v-neck sweater
Everlane cashmere v-neck sweater
Story mfg. Keeping v-neck embroidered organic cotton sweater
The Crewneck
The heftier, snappier cousin of that Champion sweatshirt you love so much.
Uniqlo lambswool crew neck long-sleeve sweater
Pendleton Shetland crew neck sweater
Eckhaus Latta multicolor colorblocked Ab-Ex sweater
The Turtleneck
The easiest way to make just about anything—suits, trucker jackets, flannel shirts—instantly seem twice as cool.
Club Monaco merino wool turtleneck sweater
Todd Snyder solid ribbed turtleneck
Sunspel lambswool turtleneck sweater
The Mock Neck
The turtleneck’s looser, laidback younger brother.
Abercrombie & Fitch waffle mockneck sweater
Our Legacy pilled funnel neck sweater
Tom Ford dip-dyed cashmere, mohair, and silk-blend mock-neck sweater
The Sweater Vest
No sleeves, no problem. The sweater vest moment has been ramping up for several seasons and we're totally here for it.
Alex Mill donegal wool sweater vest
Sun Flower ribbed slip over sweater vest
Gucci argyle knit sweater
The Chunky Cardigan
On the best spring and fall days, these’ll be the only jacket you really need.
L.L. Bean classic ragg wool sweater cardigan
J.Crew textured rugged merino wool shawl collar cardigan
The Slim Cardigan
Best deployed under a blazer like a slightly cozier waistcoat, or over a buttoned-up polo for some bookish-‘90s-indie-frontman appeal.
Uniqlo extra fine merino wool v-neck long-sleeve cardigan
Corridor alpawool cardigan
Noma T.D. bi-colour mohair-blend cardigan
The Cashmere Sweater
The swankiest, supplest form of high-quality wool is now more accessible than ever.
Everlane grade-A cashmere crew
Polo Ralph Lauren suede-trim wool-cashmere sweater
The Elder Statesman patchwork tie-dyed cashmere sweater
The Zip Sweater
Whether it's a quarter-zip, half-zip, or full-zip, it's been a staple of normie dads forever and, yes, it's cool again.
Gap recycled half-zip sweater
Mr P ribbed merino wool half-zip sweater
Beams Plus jacquard-knit mohair-blend zip-up cardigan
The Polo Sweater
It's a sweater with a collar, ya know what I mean?
Asket merino wool polo sweater
J.Crew cashmere collar sweater
Todd Snyder merino stripe polo
The Swerves
Three sweater trends worth trying right now: a wild graphic intarsia sweater, a button-up collared cardigan (with off-the-charts texture), and a punk-inspired distressed pullover.
