9 Sweater Styles Every Fella Should Have in His Closet
Finding the best sweaters for men is no easy task. In a sea full of knits, you can feel lost at the helm as you try to navigate your way through cashmere, shetlands, mohair, and merinos. A sweaters job is simple: keep you warm. Which, to keep it a stack, is no small feat—especially when you’re expected to stay toasty for roughly six months out of the year. And the options? They can feel like one of those drugstore receipts that won’t stop printing: V-neck, crewneck, sweater vest, cardigan, zip-up, polo sweater, turtleneck, cable-knit, and Fair Isle.
With so many styles, you’ve really gotta ask yourself: What am I chasing when I put on a sweater? The answer can be twofold—both literal and metaphorical. Are you trying to channel the GOAT decade, dripping in ’90s nostalgia? Or are you gearing up for holiday fits and festive chaos? The choice is yours. But let’s be clear: if you’re craving finer gauges or eyeing a lightweight cotton blend that layers perfectly under fall’s best jackets, you’re in good company.
Sweaters are a lot like feelings—you’re not supposed to pick just one and ride it out for months. Feelings change, and so should your sweaters. So whether you’re into perennial crewneck pullovers, cold-weather-combatting cardigans, or cash-money cashmere, we’ve got you covered with all the best men’s sweaters to slot into your closet. And—mothballs are sold separately. Please pick some that don’t smell like your great-granny’s crib.
The Best Sweaters for Men, According to GQ
The V-Neck Sweater
Like Michael Jordan dropping his famous “I’m back” statement, the V-neck is ready to reclaim its menswear throne as the MVP of your sweater rotation. You might be tempted to start with the obvious play, like layering one over a crisp button-up shirt, maybe letting the shirt’s collar laze insouciantly over the V. But follow the leads of the romcom stars and airport travel gods from the ’90s: there’s something casually chic about a plain white T-shirt peeking out at clavicle height.
The Crewneck Sweater
It’s the Champion sweatshirt you wish you could live in, but refined enough to handle weekday meetings and weekend coffee dates. Crewneck sweaters can come in more flavors than Baskin Robins, and can be made from jacquard knits (see below), thick cable knits (also below), or damn near any other woven fabric. Our only suggestion: while there’s nothing wrong with a gets-the-job-done heather gray colorway, don’t shortchange yourself by avoiding more adventurous colors.
The Sweater Vest
The sweater vest moment has been ramping up for several seasons and while we may be at peak vest, we’re still totally here for it. It’s a notoriously tricky knit to style, but one that can actually add a ton of versatility to your closet. Whatever’s underneath—a striped button-up shirt, a tee, nothing but your guns—gets a supporting actor nod. For extra warmth, the sweater vest fits well under both cropped outerwear and tailoring, like a suit jacket or sport coat, without adding unnecessary bulk. And it can turn a simple white tee-and-jeans combo (maybe add some loafers?) into an unstoppable farmers-market-to-cocktail-hour fit.
The Cardigan
Depending on the weather and your location’s relation to the equator, a lightweight cardi will be the only “coat” you need. If temperatures are still moderately warm, opt for a cardigan made from breathable linen or cotton, paired with a button-up shirt and relaxed-fit chinos for a laid-back, preppy look. Once temps start to cool down, upgrade your winter wardrobe with a heavyweight wool sweater—maybe with a scarf-replacing shawl collar—to stay nice and toasty.
The Zip Sweater
Whether you prefer a quarter-zip, half-zip, or full-zip, the knitwear of choice for dads all over is back. Look past its dorky nature and a zip sweater can be clean as a whistle and more stylish than you remember. Think of it as a convertible, but for your torso. Show off a little T-shirt and a necklace underneath, or zip that thing all the way to the top for a riff on the turtleneck that trades stuffy for sporty.
The Polo Sweater
It’s a sweater with a collar, ya know what I mean? But in all seriousness, the polo sweater is even more solutions-oriented than its short-sleeve sibling. It instantly adds a touch of dressiness to an outfit without having to go full button down and tie, all while maintaining Olympic levels of cozy. Pair it with some non-jean pants for the easiest, comfiest Monday-through-Friday outfit in your arsenal. Or, let it anchor your out-of-office—the brighter and bolder, the better.
The Turtleneck Sweater
Blending form (straight lines to elongate that torso) with functionality (gotta keep ya neck warm) with sexiness (just look at it), the turtleneck remains a humble wardrobe heavyweight. A simple rib knit version can do damn near anything, anytime, but don’t sleep on a turtleneck with a crochet, cable, or jacquard knit. Just ask The Rock, Michael B. Jordan, Tom Holland, or any of the other Hollywood leading men who figured out long ago that a turtleneck turns up the heat in more ways than the obvious.
The Cable Knit Sweater
The quintessentially preppy cable knit is the sweater most likely to say it “went to school in Cambridge.” You can lean into the Ivy League energy, or mix-and-match other styles. Similar, yet completely distinct, is the fisherman sweater or the Aran sweater. Originating from the western cost of Ireland, Aran sweaters have their roots in fishing and use intricate cable knit designs. A key difference aside from their origins is that fisherman sweaters are always hearty, chunky knits with thicker cable-knit designs.
The Fair Isle Sweater
Like the Aran sweater, the Fair Isle sweater is also named for an island (in the Shetlands, off the coast of Scotland). This time, the signature designs are less about texture, and more about the color, with traditional patterns knit into the wool. While it’s been unfairly dragged into the whole “Christmas sweater” conversation, Fair Isles deserve to be worn for as many months as you need the toastiness.
What to Consider When Buying a Sweater
As mentioned, you should go into this like you’re adopting a dog, not like a kid in a candy store. It can be satisfying for a moment to pick up the first pretty thing you see, but a crash follows the rush and before you know it, you’ve got a pile of sweaters that are either too warm, too itchy, or just don’t fit right. Don’t make that mistake, here’s what to look out for.
Fabric
Cotton: We’re not going to belabor the benefits of cotton—the natural fiber is breathable, affordable, washes easily (though careful with the dryer—always read that tag), and gentle on sensitive skin. You can’t go wrong with a cotton sweater any time of the year, but if you’re looking for a transitional layer that’ll keep you warm now and comfortably cool later, it’s hard to top cotton.
Wool: Not to mix our species, but wool can be a chameleon. The sheep-borne spectrum runs from airy and light to thick and hefty. But all of it is uniquely adept at regulating temperatures, so you’ll stay warm without burning up. While you have to be a little more delicate on the upkeep (almost definitely no dryer), your tough-as-nails wool knit can last you for decades—literally—with some conscientious upkeep.
Cashmere: It used to be that the average “nice” wool sweater was made of merino wool or lambswool, and cashmere was reserved for the rich guys. A few decades of commodifying the luxury fiber has helped bring it to more affordable tiers. Though careful what you pay for: cheap cashmere pills easily, can feel oily, and won’t last nearly as long as the good stuff.
