Getting a new sweater is one of the small joys of autumn. As the leaves start to fall and you start swapping iced coffees for hot lattes, the urge to wrap yourself in something soft and warm becomes greater and greater. But not all sweaters are created equal, which is why we've rounded up the best picks from our favorite brands.
The best sweaters for women come from our favorite brands, likeAlex Mill, an NYC-based retailer with a devoted following for its high-quality knits, or Naadam, a relatively affordable go-to that makes the best cashmere sweaters we've ever tested.
For more of our favorite staples, see our articles on the best women's basics brands, the best white button-down shirts, and the best workwear for women.
Our advice on buying sweaters
After testing dozens of sweaters, I found one thing to be true: nothing beats natural fibers. You'll find troves of thick knits made from materials like acrylic, nylon, and polyester — but these all suffer from the same sensations of scratchiness and suffiness. Synthetic materials are all spun from threads of what is fundamentally plastic. They trap stuffy heat, are hard to remove odors from, and pill after a few washes.
Natural fibers, on the other hand, are temperature-regulating. A material like cashmere is warm when you need it to be, but won't leave you fanning yourself and sweating the moment you step into a heated building. Organic fibers also just feel way better against your skin. While synthetics may be appropriate for clothes like workout gear and outerwear, I'd highly recommend avoiding them when it comes to sweaters; even cotton or wool blends are dicey.
Instead, stick with 100% cotton or 100% wool pieces. The only drawback to these materials is that they tend to be more expensive than synthetics — but there are budget-friendly options available. For example, you can get a 100% cotton sweater for $40 or a Mongolian Cashmere sweater for $50 at Quince.
The best sweaters for women are all made of natural fibers. Here are our favorites.
Best overall: L.L.Bean Men's Cotton Fisherman Sweater
Sally Kaplan, Samantha Crozier/Insider
This sweater is the crème de la crème of women's sweaters — even if it's labeled as a men's sweater. I knew I had to write about the L.L. Bean Men's Cotton Fisherman Sweater when I hopped on a video call with Sally Kaplan, the executive editor of Insider Reviews, and I immediately recognized the sweater she was wearing. We gushed about how it's the best for a good ten minutes before starting our meeting.
It's made of a heavyweight cotton yarn, which means that it manages to be both breathable and pleasantly chunky. And because it's a men's style, the fit is oversize — but not so much so that it will swallow you.
"I love the way this sweater hangs on me. I got a men's XL (for reference, I'm 5-foot-2 and usually wear a 12 or 14) and it hits me just below my hips for a perfectly oversized look," says Sally.
For our full thoughts (and outfit ideas), see our L.L.Bean Cotton Fisherman Sweater review.
Best cardigan: Alex Mill
Samantha Crozier/Insider
Alex Mill started as a tiny shop with a cult following in NYC's SoHo neighborhood. But now, it's a national brand with a reputation for high-quality fabrics in practical cuts.
We can't say enough good things about Alex Mill and the quality of their knits. The Nico Chunky Cardigan is made of thick-knit, heavyweight cotton yarn. Though the version I have with the cable stitching above is currently unavailable, there are lots of plain stitch colors on the site, including a bright berry red and a bevy of neutrals.
You can wear this open over a shirt or as a top in and of itself. I sometimes have issues with wearing the cardigan-as-a-top trend because I have a larger bust, but this sweater is just oversized enough that I never have issues with gaping between the buttons.
Because it is made of cotton, it's a fantastic all-season pick. I've worn it over dresses on chilly summer evenings and paired it with a wool coat and scarf during the winter.
Best budget cashmere sweater: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
Here are our thoughts on the sweater from our full Quince review.
"The super soft Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater feels more expensive than it is, and it's obvious why it's such a hit. It's main difference from Naadam's ($98) is that it's slightly thinner and not as smooth. I tested the newest Cashmere 2.0 version, which costs the same and felt slightly thicker than the original, but it still trails Naadam in terms of softness.
"Of course, the price tag on Quince's 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere is attractive when you see that it's practically identical to Naadam's. The patterns are the exact same (unless I'm really nitpicking — Quince's neckline is bound with a seam that looks slightly more unfinished and liable to fray). But the quality is acceptable and consistent with other Quince cashmere pieces I've tested." — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor, Insider Reviews
Read more in Gabi's full Naadam vs. Quince cashmere sweater review.
Best cashmere: Naadam Original Cashmere Sweater
Gabrielle Chase
There are few better additions to your fall wardrobe than a cashmere sweater. And while you may think that such a purchase will cost you a significant proportion of your paycheck, Naadam wants you to think again.
Naadam is our favorite place to find high-quality, reasonably priced cashmere. Associate Editor Gabrielle Chase made it her mission to find the best cashmere sweater and, after testing tons of brands, Nadaam came out on top. More specifically, she swears by Naadam's Original Cashmere Sweater. The piece is just under $100, which is a fantastic price for fine-spun cashmere.
Here's what Gabi had to say in her Naadam Cashmere Sweater review: "I even sleep in mine, it's that soft. The knit is breathable and insulating all at once, which is unique to cashmere. Another thing I love — this one sweater is unisex (just size up for a looser fit) and comes in dozens of colors, from versatile neutrals to vibrant pastels."
Best luxury cashmere: Guest in Residence Oversized Crew
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
If you've ever wanted to dress like Gigi Hadid, now you can. Guest in Residence is the model's line of luxury cashmere sweaters and accessories. And this oversized cut is one of their best sellers.
"I love the super soft handfeel of this slouchy sweater, and from my experience with testing this luxury knit, I'm willing to bet that Guest in Residence bid high on premium-grade cashmere to create it. It barely pills, even after a lot of regular wear, and it's both lightweight and cozy," says Gabrielle Chase.
If you're wondering why this sweater is more expensive than other kinds of cashmere sweaters, check out Gabi's Guest in Residence review, where she digs into details about the gauge and quality to explain the cost.
Best oversized cardigan: Quince 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cardigan
Sally Kaplan/Insider
Here's what Executive Editor Sally Kaplan said about this sweater in our Quince review:
I'm allergic to wool, so every time I find an oversized cotton sweater or cardigan, I get extra excited. After testing this one from Quince, I consider the brand a top selection for the best sweaters for women and am definitely planning to buy it in more colors! I love the swingy, oversized fit, and the weight of it is substantial enough that I don't worry about it stretching or shrinking. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews
Best waffle-knit: Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Crewneck Sweater
Samantha Crozier
You may recognize Buck Mason as the viral menswear brand birthed on Shark Tank, but it has since expanded its selection to women's clothing. Above all, the company is focused on using the highest-quality fabrics around. They have their own knitting mills, controlling the entire manufacturing process from start to finish. This results in textiles that are a cut above the rest.
The Seafarer Crewneck is one of the best sweaters for women because it's made from seven gauge cotton yarn. This breathable knit is so soft that I keep reaching for it over and over again. I love the slight balloon sleeves, the Goldilocks fit, and of course, the feel of the fabric.
Best half-zip: Quince Merino wool half-zip
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
"This Merino wool half-zip has a chunky knit like a fisherman sweater, and it's really easy to layer with because of the loose, oversized fit. Wearing this has made me realize I actually love a half-zip closure because I can loosen it when I pull it over my head and it won't mess up my hair or smudge my makeup. Then once it's on, I zip it back up and it keeps my neck warm.
"I like the chunky lower gauge knit for this kind of sweater because it feels heavyweight and insulating without suffocating me around the neckline. And for the price, you really can't do much better on a Merino wool sweater of this quality." — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor, Insider Reviews
How we tested for the best sweaters for women
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
We determine the best sweaters for women by doing long-term testing. This means that we wear the sweaters multiple times, launder them according to instructions, and update our articles if we begin to see signs of wear and tear.
We evaluate the quality of the material by noting whether it pills, whether washing changes the shape of the garment, and whether it is worth the initial cost.
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