The best sweaters for men feel incredible against the skin. They’re durable, long-lasting, and look great after years of washes and wears.
The problem is, those sweaters are also incredibly hard to find on the racks.
Most retail stores are in the realm of “fast fashion”—selling identical pullovers that are cheaply made, quickly put together, broadly sized, and not meant to last longer than a single season. We’ve seen turtlenecks pill at the hemline. They unravel at the sleeves. Or, even worse, they shrink after three wears.
Fantastic sweaters have the potential to be so much more.
By expanding your style with unique sweater types, evaluating your purchases for high quality, and ensuring your sweaters fit like they were made for you, you can have a cool-weather wardrobe that’s heads above that standard retail experience.
The Five Essential Men’s Sweaters
Start by expanding your knitwear horizons with these five essential sweaters. You may want to pack your closet with two of each—especially if you live where the cold lasts from October to April.
Cardigans
This is perhaps the most intimidating sweater on our list, but it doesn’t have to be. Cardigans are practical and entirely on-trend. Wear a light grey cardigan open over a patterned button-down for a more elevated take on business casual.
Turtlenecks
Turtlenecks are the bodycon dresses of menswear. If you’re proud of the work you’ve done in the gym, you need a good fitted turtleneck in your closet. They’re really only appropriate in the dead of winter—but you’ll look damn good in the cold. Choose a neutral-colored turtleneck made from variegated yarn for a hint of visual interest.
Pullovers (V-neck and Crewneck)
You’ve got at least one of these in your closet. They are the versatile MVPs of men’s sweaters. You can rock a pullover on its own, over a dress shirt, draped over your blazer, or layered in a full office-appropriate outfit. Choose pullovers in unique solid colors to give your wardrobe some cool-weather confidence.
Mock Zip Sweaters
Whether you go for a full, half, or quarter zip, you’ll be looking smooth and styled in a mock zip sweater. This is one menswear trend we can get fully behind for travel, work, and play. Try a deep blue quarter-zip layered over a t-shirt for a more sophisticated casual day. Or wear a half-zip over a white dress shirt for an evening out.
Hoodies
Every man needs a good hoodie in his closet… and we mean a good quality hoodie. Ditch the threads lingering from your college days and invest in the softest, most comfortable hoodies you could ever imagine. You’ll thank us later for inspiring this closet upgrade.
Evaluating Sweaters for Quality
When you’re looking at buying a new sweater, regardless of which type you’re buying, you need to be careful not to fall into the low-quality trap. Flip a sweater inside out and examine the seams closely. Beware of those that look sloppy or show loose threads.
The next element of quality you need to consider is the fabric.
Good choices include 100% cotton or blends of silk, cashmere, and merino. Avoid polyester or other synthetic fabrics. These cheap alternatives aren’t very breathable and will leave you sweating.
Beyond the fabric label, a good sweater should feel soft to the touch, both inside and outside.
Go for sweaters made from fine 12-16 gauge yarn. This gives your sweater that silky, unbelievably smooth texture. Thicker gauge yarns (7 or lower) are appropriate for chunky sweaters that have a wider weave
How to Find The Best Sweaters For Men
The final and most important consideration for a new sweater is whether or not it fits your body.
When trying on sweaters in store, pay close attention to shoulder seams. Do they end properly at the corner of your shoulder bone? If they drape over the side onto your arm, that’s one sign the sweater may be sized too large for your frame. Be meticulous about your sleeve and torso length. And make sure the sweater fits appropriately across your chest without pulling too tightly when you move your arms.
Don’t want to deal with all those details? Skip the hassle and order your next sweater made-to-measure from Knot Standard.
When you meet with us at a showroom in your area, your personal stylist will take extensive measurements of your upper body. Your sweater will be constructed entirely for you based on those measurements, and not on any standard sizing system. We source only the best designer fabrics in a full array of shades and textures, so you’ll have your pick of yarns for your new high-quality knitwear.
Between our emphasis on impressive quality and impeccable fit, Knot Standard creates the best sweaters for men. Check out a showroom today to get your own.