Without a basic, well-fitting sweater that you can wear year-round and still look good in, no wardrobe is complete. But it can be difficult to choose when there are so many options available. Therefore, my colleague Arielle Avila and I went through our archives, chatted with fashionable women—including designers, stylists, and even our own writers—about their tried-and-true recommendations, and tried some out for ourselves in order to help you find a worthwhile one (or ones). To find the exact sweater you’re looking for, use the table of contents, or continue reading to find out more about the factors we took into account while compiling this list. In case you’re looking for additional fall essentials for ladies, we also offer tips for cashmere sweaters and jean jackets.
Best sweater for women overall
Alex Mill Button-Back Crewneck Sweater in Stripe
It should come as no surprise that Alex Mill, renowned for its superior wardrobe staples, produces excellent sweaters. Though Ingrid Nilson is a fan of this two-in-one sweater and cardigan, it’s the finest bargain out of all of them. Since I’ve been wearing mine for roughly six months, its versatility has made it one of my most-worn things. Its balloon sleeves and somewhat oversized fit make it ideal for layering, and the bulky, all-cotton yarn breathes well enough to be worn year-round. I use it as a cardigan over tees on warmer days, and layer it over a thin turtleneck on chillier ones. With the buttons on the back, I also adore wearing it as a traditional sweater. My friends are all talking about how clever the reversible design is.
The sweater is available in two striped variations in addition to three solid colors: black, ecru, and dark blue. Just so you know, I wash it on a mild cycle and let it air dry on a towel to avoid shrinkage. I haven’t encountered any problems yet.
Everlane Cocoon Crew in Alpaca
Choose Everlane’s warm alpaca-fleece pullover Sweaters if you’re looking for a more affordable, basic option. The most recent iteration of the beloved Cocoon Crew is available at the link below. The slightly fluffy texture reminds me of the angora jumpers my mom used to wear, and it’s lightweight but still incredibly warm,” says Mia Leimkuhler, our former senior manager of audience engagement and self-described Everlaneologist. Avila possesses this sweater as well and adores its fuzzy appearance and feel. Avila remarks, “It feels a little trendy, but I can see myself wearing it for years because of its classic cut.” It is undoubtedly breezier than the Alex Mill, but because of its oversized fit, it is wonderfully simple to layer with. Sizes XXS to XXL and nine colors are available.
Naadam The Original Cashmere Sweater Women’s
Naadam provides reasonably priced, high-quality cashmere. The company sells a large assortment of cardigans, mock-necks, turtlenecks, and other styles made entirely of cashmere. At a mere $75, its best-selling item, the Essential, is a traditional crewneck. Mine has seen a lot of use in the six months that I’ve had it. I can easily wear it with jeans or biking shorts, whether I’m heading to a Pilates class or running errands around town. It has a slight slickness to it but is still soft without becoming mushy. Even if it can pill, a cashmere depiller can easily manage it. “The quality, the color variety, and, best of all, the prices” are the reasons why Kate Mullin, head of brand marketing and global communications at Anine Bing, adores the brand. Sizes XXS to XXL and 18 colors are available for the Essential.
J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck Sweater
Our senior editor Hilary Reid suggests the J. Crewken Crewneck for a more cropped style. All of her cashmere sweaters felt too lengthy and thick when tucked into trousers, so she bought this one last year. Reid advised me that this sweater was the ideal response. Since it’s just slightly cropped, the top of your hip is really where it hits. Reid later went back for it in two more hues, even though she had originally purchased it in the Heather Charcoal color pictured. She claims that the three sweaters were her most-worn items from the previous winter and that they go equally well with pleated skirts and leather pants as they do with jeans and wool pants. Reid, who typically wears a size small, opted for a medium instead, which was loose enough to accommodate a T-shirt underneath while yet appearing somewhat “shrunken” to avoid an overly large look. After several dry cleanings, the cashmere has likewise held up well with very little pilling. Reid claims that he has already chosen the colors of the sweaters he wants to add to his wardrobe for fall.
LL Bean Women’s Cable Sweater, Crewneck
If you want a classic cable-knit sweater, L.L.Bean is a great option. Under $100, the brand’s clothing is reasonably priced and composed completely of organic cotton that can be machine washed. Since you can hardly see through the knitting, Avila usually wears hers layered over a white T-shirt. “It has enough room to layer with a button-up, too, if I’m wanting to lean more toward the prep aesthetic,” she says. Although it has considerable weight, the cotton is wonderfully breathable and significantly lighter than other cable-knit sweaters made of wool. It is available in five colors and a large variety of sizes, including plus and tiny versions.
Everlane The Luxe Rib Turtleneck
Experts recommended Everlane’s ribbed turtleneck as one of the greatest black turtlenecks for women when Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla was looking for one. Its fit is “tight enough that it doesn’t bunch up underneath things — it really hugs your skin — but not, like Uniqlo Heattech-tight,” according to strategist and food and dining writer Emma Wartzman. Another devotee is fashion designer Gabrielle Arruda, who also owns her own style blog by the same name. She says she purchases turtlenecks “every season, just because I know I’ll get so much use out of them.” It comes in two striped variations and six solid colors, and sizes XXS to XXL.
Babaà Jumper No17
Babaà is a Spanish company renowned for its unique silhouettes and premium fabrics. One of the brand’s best-selling jumpers, the No. 17, is exceptionally warm and robust, with a little bit more weight than Alex Mill’s button-back sweater, according to Avila, who had the opportunity to put it on. The black turtleneck sweater’s source, Marichelle Hills of MEUS boutique, claims that hers “literally feels like a hug” since the wool the brand uses softens with wear and is “meant to be worn forever and ever.” There are 13 distinct hue variations available, ranging from neutrals to more striking choices like the shown “olivera.” If you’re small, take note: There is just one size available for this sweater, and it is designed to fit oversized, so double-check the dimensions provided on the website.
Best cardigan sweater
The cardigans of Agnès B. have become legendary. They are so great that, back in March 2020, Emilia Petrarca, a fashion journalist for the Cut, dubbed them the “Chanel tweed jacket of New York.” Both present and former Strategist authors have it in various cuts and hues. As its name suggests, the Le Classique features a classic straight-and-square form that makes it the most adaptable of the types and comes in eighteen colors, which is why we selected it as the best cardigan sweater overall, surpassing both the Le Petite and the Rosana. I detest to say it, but this sweater is the solution to the question, “How do I dress like a French girl?” as New York features editor Katy Schneider puts it.
Lisa Yang Abby Cashmere Cardigan – Beige
Rachel Strugatz, a writer and former Business of Fashion beauty editor-at-large, is a big fan of Lisa Yang’s V-neck button-up cashmere cardigans. Now that she has three, the gray one is her favorite. She remarks, “It’s cropped enough to hit the top of your pants and the ideal amount of boxy.” Sizes and color options may be restricted, however SSENSE frequently has it on discount. There are additional possibilities on Lisa Yang’s website if you’re searching for a broader stock. Sizes 0 (XS), 1 (S-M), and 2 (M-L) are available.
Alex Mill Nico Cardigan
This big, oversized cardigan is another one we have our eye on. After trying it on, I can see why the Nico is a popular sweater among Alex Mill’s customers, as a business representative informed me. The textured cotton yarn is midweight and suitable for all seasons, feeling a lot like our top-rated general Button-Back Crewneck above. I adore that this cardigan has spacious drop shoulders and bold contrasting buttons, setting it apart from other cardigans I’ve had over the years. I usually wear it with my Rag & Bone Miramar sweatpants because of its loose fit, but it looks great dressed down with my favorite pleated pants as well. Notably, there hasn’t been any shedding or pilling.
Not only do I love Nico cardigans, but Hannah Zisman, co-founder of Bathen, does too. She says it “goes with anything — neutrals, brights, you name it” and has one in a golden khaki shade that is no longer available. Zisman scaled up to embrace the oversize trend and enjoys “throwing it over a dress or linen set during cooler summer nights when I need a stylish extra layer,” according to Zisman.
YanYan Softi Microstripe Turtleneck
When it comes to sweaters that deviate from the conventional crewneck designs or basic colors, two chic people we spoke with suggested YanYan, a knitwear business based in Hong Kong. Their summer knits in a variety of colors are appealing to Bertello, who says the embellishments are “so unique and captivating, they almost remind me of a vintage garment.” Another brand enthusiast and self-described “knitwear obsessive,” Dani Des Roches, like their striking sweaters. “An item of YanYan’s multicolored and textured sweater would have the most longevity in my closet—some people would go for a classic or simple garment,” she says, adding that her personal favorite is the Curious Cardigan.
