Far from a listicle, our Heddels+ Buyer’s Guides are deep dives into options available for a specific garment, accessory, or piece of footwear. We provide some context or brief history of the style and thoroughly comb through its wide selection of available renditions to make a shortlist with separate categories, including a budget-friendly section.
Eternally stylish and functional, the knit sweater remains a vital part of many of our wardrobes, but it’s not always easy to find some that suit your needs. Thankfully, sweaters are incredibly versatile, so it never hurts to have more than one on hand. You can wear them dressed up with trousers and oxfords, or throw one on with your more casual wear.
There’s something anyone can enjoy from a knitted sweater. They come in so many different shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and prices. For that reason, they make for an incredible staple in the closet, one you won’t regret putting on with faded jeans and some comfy shoes. They’re a bit of a hack in looking put together whilst remaining cozy, and that is priceless if you work from home and need to take online calls, or if you simply need to be smart casual on a daily basis.
So, if you’re looking for some quality knits, we’re diving deep with this guide to buying various types of sweaters in 2022. When we say sweaters, we’re looking at all types of sweaters. Cardigans, crewnecks, turtlenecks, and even cotton sweaters for those who don’t want to invest in wool for fiscal or ethical reasons,
We’re hoping this list arrived right on time for your winter climate needs, but there are loads here that you can wear through spring and on summer evenings, and even some that can be had for under $150.
A Word on The Shaggy Dog
The classic Shaggy Dog sweater is an essential part of the iconic Ivy style. And as a result of its incredible versatility, its now an essential part of contemporary style. We’ve seen the rise and fall in Ivy’s popularity over the years, but many of its timeless staples like oxford shirts and the Shaggy Dog never die, with the latter in particular having a bit of a moment in 2022.
J. Press Shaggy Dog Sweater via J.Press
Comfortable, relaxed, and with a slight mock crew neck proved suitable for unknowingly stylish students at ivy schools and other campuses who wanted effortlessly sophisticated yet rugged looks. During the height of Ivy style, retailers were selling out of the classic style designed by J. Press, and the world of vintage fashion reproductions has taken note. And, in line with the modern Ivy boom of the last 10 years, this classic style has been reproduced by brands that you know and love like Drakes, Howlin’, Lost & Found, Malloch’s, Beams+, Calculus, and many more.
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2022 Buying Options
Roll, Mock, and Turtle Necks
Margaret Howell Raglan High Neck Sweater
The Raglan High Neck Sweater from Margaret Howell starts our list off strong with a classy and subtle take on a high-neck sweater style. Thanks to its relaxed fit and raglan sleeves, you and your neck are going to be cozy as hell in this 100% lambswool sweater, guaranteed. Made in the UK, the Sweater is available in two subtle colorways that feature nice and pronounced ribbed neck, cuffs, and hem. Simple yet effective.
Available for $318 from Lost & Found.
Burgus Plus Wool Turtleneck Sweater
Burgus Plus‘ Wool Turtle Neck Sweater is straight-up classic. This vintage Red Cross reproduction sweater is gonna have you channeling the lost generation in style. We think the texture on this 100% lambswool sweater is just right, click through the link and zoom in if you don’t believe us, ’tis a thing of beauty.
Burgus Plus used soft yet thick lambswool yarns on rare knitting machines to achieve the vintage, hand-knitted look. This Turtle Neck Sweater features an inset ribbed neck, nicely rollable, with matching ribbing on the cuffs and hem.
Available for $200 from HINOYA.
Heimat Deck Sweater
The Heimat Deck Sweater is a reproduction of the GOB sweater — a cold weather layer worn by sailors of the U.S. Navy during WWII — so you know it’s gonna do its duty of keeping you warm while you’re on the move. It even comes in military green, if you want the full effect.
8-gauge knit from 100% extra fine virgin merino wool, the Deck Sweater is going to be ultra soft, warm, and breathable. The cuffs and collar are ribbed and feature hand-sewn accents, and like most knits, should be taken with a snug fit in anticipation of stretching.
Available for $230 from Clutch Cafe.
Mister Freedom Mariner Sweater Roll-Neck
The Mister Freedom Mariner Sweater Roll-Neck was made to appease your inner Hemingway. The part of you that loves a unique, rugged, indigo-dipped edge to everything you own, especially your quality-made clothes. That part that really loves everything Mister Freedom does, especially this incredibly chunky, made-to-fade in Japan, 100% cotton knit sweater.
This cable-knit beast comes in straight-up black and indigo-dyed variants. Settle up for stealthy steez with the black one, or start a knitted fading project for 2023 with the indigo-dyed edition. This here mariner predicts chalky, bright indigo fades with wear and washing.
Available for $350 (black) and $430 (indigo) from Franklin & Poe.
Crew Neck
Howlin’ Birth of The Cool Crewneck
Howlin’ is making some of the most solid knits in Scotland from 100% wool that are out there, case in point, the Birth Of The Cool Solid Wool Sweater. These sweaters are inspired by the aforementioned J.Press Shaggy Dog Sweater. Beautifully knit, made to last, and bound to be a go-to layer when it’s cold out and you want to wear something that’s basic but not boring.
Cool by name, cool by nature, these sweaters are knit from soft Scottish wool, AKA some of the best wool in the world, which is brushed for extra softness and shaggy texture. They feature a relaxed fit, with ribbing on the cuffs, collar, and hem.
Available on sale for $119.95 from Stag Provisions.
Beams Plus Merino Crewneck Sweater
Leave it to Beams Plus to make one of the most effective sweaters on this list, with the Merino Crew Sweater. It’s simple, midweight, affordable, and you can bet it’s going to age like any quality Ivy-style sweater. Simple, effective, and charming is what Beams Plus does best.
Made in Japan from 100% merino wool, these soft and warming raglan-sleeve sweaters seem to be a reliable layer against the cold and are practically begging to be worn over an oxford shirt, or as a stand-alone with some crispy raw selvedge denim jeans.
Available on sale for $119.95 from Stag Provisions.
Fujito C/N Knit Sweater
The Fujito Knit Sweater’s got it all if you want a chocolate-toned sweater for cuffing season. Nice and hairy texture? Got it. Versatile earthy tone? Got it. Highly warming 100% wool crewneck style? Got it in spades. And it’s skillfully crafted in Japan, there’s really not much to dislike here.
This unique, under-the-radar brand’s sweater offering is one to jump on before it sells out. There’s something about that tightly ribbed crew neck in contrast to the shaggy texture of the body that just sets this one off. Subtle differences make for big styling points sometimes.
Available for $310 from Namu Shop.
Lost & Found Shaggy Crewneck
Lost & Found is making its own Shaggy Dog-inspired Crewneck Sweater. We said this style was having a moment, didn’t we? You heard right, one of our favorite retailers is foraying into high-quality knits made to last, and they’re nothing to sniff at.
These 100% super soft wool knits are right in line with the classic shaggy dog style, but with their own fun flavors to choose from, just take a look at that Spring Meadow colorway. If that doesn’t make you want to either go and prance in a meadow or eat some pistachio ice cream, you need some help, my friend.
These seasonal knits are constructed in Scotland and feature a saddle shoulder design, with ribbing on the neck, cuffs, and hem.
Available for just $168 from Lost & Found.
V-Neck
Knickerbocker NYC Alpaca Wool Check V-Sweater
Knickerbocker‘s Alpaca Wool Check V-Sweater in Brown is one of the most interesting sweaters on this list. It’s checkered! Who doesn’t love a patterned knit? Even if you don’t feel you can pull one off, they’re just a thing of beauty.
The NYC-based brand is single-handedly proving that Brown v-necks are completely underrated in the sweater game. Besides its incredibly cool patterning, its v-neck design allows for some interesting styling options, throw on a white tee or button-up underneath for an instant timeless style injection. These V-Sweaters are cut from an Italian alpaca wool/polyamide blend, and feature ribbing on the neck, cuffs, and hem.
Available for $325 from Knickerbocker NYC.
South2 West8 V Neck Shirt W/PE Boiled Jersey
South2 West8‘s S.S. V Neck Shirt W/PE Boiled Jersey’s a rustic take on the V-Neck Sweater. The wider neck and rougher texture here make things feel a little more bohemian and lived-in. Sure, it might look rough in texure, but we’re betting that 80-20 wool-polyester blend fabric is super soft.
The Tenkara fly fishing-inspired Nepenthes label brings things together with made-in-Japan construction, side slits for a unique drape on the torso, and S2W8 Deer skull embroidery.
Available for $260 from Blue in Green.
Comme Des Garçons Fully Fashioned Knit V-Neck Pullover Black/Navy
You don’t often find the likes of Comme des Garçons on our lists, but this Fully Fashioned Knit V-Neck Pullover from the brand’s SHIRT sub-label was too good to leave off. Almost everything this brand touches is rock solid, but we love a color-blocked garment done well, and black goes with blue like coffee and cream.
The Fully Fashioned Knit is indeed fully fashioned with tastefully contrasting 100% lambswool fabric, and features ribbing on all openings and a shallow v-neck
Available for $284 from Lost & Found.
Cardigans & Shawl Necks
AKOG Kura Cardigan
The Kura Cardigan in Burgundy Wool Melange is one of the most colorful cardigans out there, and we’re shouting out A Kind of Guise for trying something different. Burgundy was already a strong color, but then you add in some texture provided by this flecked 87-13 wool-polyester blend, real horn buttons, exposed straight hem, and you’re left with one of the most eye-catching sweaters we’ve seen in a long while.
Available for $295 from Vestis.
Knickerbocker Merino Pebble Cardigan
The Knickerbocker Merino Pebble Cardigan looks to be an absolute staple, one that would be a welcome addition to an already cardigan-heavy wardrobe, or an accessible way to leap into the style if you haven’t tried it before.
Cardigans are one of the most versatile garments out, and in this due of muted earth tones, you won’t struffle to pair this with all of the cardigan’s many sartorial pals. It’s built from soft, warming, yet breathable Italian merino wool. If you’ve never tried merino, consider adding it to your list — you can wear it through almost every season.
Available for $325 from Knickerbocker NYC.
Colhay’s Superfine Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan
Colhay’s Superfine Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan is making us cozy just looking at it. This super heavyweight shawl collar weighs in at 1.2kg, this thing is a blanket you can button up, not a mere cardigan. Take a look at that super chunky 3-ply, 6 gauge 100% superfine lambswool Lamaine collection fabric…you already know how comforting this thick-knit sweater is. It’s the weighted blanket of the heritage menswear scene.
Made in Scotland, this Cardigan is detailed with real Italian horn buttons on the front, dual patch pockets, slightly longer cuffs for rolling or warming your frosty mitts, and raglan sleeves.
Available for $530 from Clutch Cafe.
Faherty Marled Cotton Cardigan
Initiate grandpa mode with New Americana brand Faherty‘s Marled Cotton Cardigan in Light Grey Marl. This design, draped in a peppery 95-5 cotton-cashmere blend, almost seems engineered for lounging around, reading the paper, and smoking a pipe. A shawl collar cardigan usually tends to evoke comfort and sophistication, doesn’t it? Detailed with two pockets on the front, ribbed cuffs and hem, and wooden buttons, this is an affordable option to throw yourself into during the cold snap.
Available for $198 from Stag Provisions.
Cable Knits & Patterned
Beams Plus Shaggy Cable Crew Sweater
The Beams Plus Shaggy Cable Crew Sweater is essentially a cable knit rendition of the Shaggy Dog silhouette. The soft, shaggy brushed texture paired with that chunky cable-knit pattern is truly a sight to behold. This reproduction-style sweater is made tobe loved for years, and we imagine it’ll only get better over those years as the shag-factor increases.
The body and ribbing on these lightweight knits are made from wool-nylon blends, which means you’ll be kept warm while still being able to layer up with a button-down or a lightweight thermal.
Available on sale for $134.95 from Stag Provisions.
Schott Hartford Sweater
This Schott Hartford Cardigan screams “holiday”. Snow has fallen, hot chocolate is being brewed, and this cardigan is warming your torso whilst you tinker about with your new presents.
The Hartford Cardigan is knit from a cotton-polyester-acrylic-yak wool blend, making this sweater very special being the only sweater on this list knit with yak wool yarns. With its pointy, contrasting pattern, this Schott piece is comparable to RRL’s iconic, but almost doubly expensive cardigans.
Available on sale for $134.95 from Stag Provisions.
Allevol x Inverallan Cable Knit 3A Cardigan
The Allevol x Inverallen Cable Knit Cardigan 3A Indigo means business. It’s a beautiful silhouette as it is, but imagine it in 5-10 years after a buttload of indigo loss. Can you say epic sweater fades? Yes. Yes, you can.
Handknit in Scotland by Inverallen, this traditionally cable knit piece features a button-front placket, dual hip pockets, and a knit collar. How often do you find cardigans with a collar? It’s basically a chunky knit button-up shirt, and that’s a really good thing.
Available for $315 from Clutch Cafe.
Corridor Floral Alpaca Crewneck
Nothing on this list is quite like the Corridor NYC Floral Alpaca Crewneck. Just look at it. You’ll stand out a mile away when you don this flower-infested warming layer. And hanks to this warming alpaca wool-cotton-viscose-polyamide blend, you’ll still love it even when those daisy-esque flowers are layered under your puffer jacket of choice.
Available for $325 from Corridor NYC.
Beams Plus Check Pattern Mohair Cardigan
Beams Plus is keeping things fun with the Check Pattern Mohair Cardigan. Straight outta the ’50s, patterned mohair knits haven’t gone out of style, they’re still cool – especially if you wear them ’til they fall apart, Cobain-style. You can expect this Beams+ knit to hold up until it’s threadbare, that’s that Made in Japan quality, did you expect any less from this list?
This crazily patterned mustard-rich Cardigan comes complete with a button-front placket, dual pockets up front, and ribbing throughout.
Available for $292 from Stag Provisions.
Cotton
General Admission Thermal Cardigan
Bet you weren’t expecting to see this General Admission Thermal Cardigan in Dark Taupe on this list, were you? It’s not every day you come upon a waffle knit thermal cardigan, after all. The fact that I’ve never seen a waffle knit thermal cardigan is mind-blowing. Why buy a thermal or a fancy cardigan separately when you can have both at the same time? This is a layering dream come true.
Based in California, General Admission had these Thermal Cardigans constructed from 100% cotton thermal knit fabric, with two welted pockets, and a button-front placket.
Available for $170 from Calculus.
Knickerbocker Ivy Crew Neck Sweater
Knickerbocker NYC‘s Ivy Crew Neck Sweater is the New York-based brand’s cotton take on the classic Shaggy Dog silhouette. The 100% cotton composition means it’s warming, breathable, and easily launderable with your other cotton goods.
It seems that Knickerbocker has a solid option for almost every staple garment, and this is no exception. In a market saturated with navy and brown (this is far from a bad thing), we’re especially digging this off-white colorway which is eaiser to pair with raw selvedge denim or other darker-colored pants.
Available for $195 from Knickerbocker NYC.
Radiall Skunk Crew Neck Sweater
Radiall‘s marking their territory with the Skunk Crew Neck Sweater. As you might have guessed, the name comes from the Crew Neck’s all-over striped patterning, much like a skunk. These knits are straight-up skunk, in a good way, like, minus the stink.
Made in Japan, these striped beasts are knit from a poly-cotton-acrylic blend, that’s a warming blend of fibers if we’ve ever seen one. We’re going to guess that this sweater, over a light layer, is gonna be more than enough cold weather protection when you’re at home for the holidays, and that textured weave will shine through nicely if you’re wearing a heavier open layer like an overshirt over it.
Available for $195 from Sonder Supplies.
Zipped
Andersen-Andersen Half-Zip & Full Zip
Andersen-Andersen is offering some of the most high-quality items on this list with their Half-Zip and Full-Zip Cardigans. Designed in Denmark, these Cardigans were made from wool fibers sourced in none other than Patagonia, spun into yarns, and constructed in Italy.
Once you get your hands on one of Andersen-Andersen’s beefy knits, you’ll feel how warming and densely knit they are and you’ll understand the hype, the price tag — all of that. They’re sophisticated yet rugged, and designed for Scandinavian winters, which are something to be reckoned with.
These cardigans are knitted in full cardigan stitch, and feature YKK zippers, side pockets, and nifty thumb holes on their extended sleeve ribbing.
Available for $370 (full zip) and $325 (half zip) from Lost & Found.
Margaret Howell Chunky Knit Zip Wool Cardigan Merino Wool
This Margaret Howell Chunky Merino Wool Knit Zip Cardigan in Khaki is for those who prefer some chunk. Chunky knits, chunky peanut butter, chunky monkeys, etc. Jokes aside, this knit is hefty, warming, and from a brand name like MHL – top tier in terms of quality. The merino wool alone is premium stuff, then you add in the fact that it’s designed and responsibly manufactured in the UK and you’ve got a recipe for a delicious chunky knit.
This piece is slightly boxier than the aforementioned Andersen-Andersen knits, and comes in this on-trend-but-timeless earthy tone which will pair with absolutely everything, even sweatpants.
Available for $478 from Lost & Found.
Under $150
American Trench Shaker Knit Cotton Sweater
American Trench‘s USA-made Shaker Knit Cotton Sweater is shaking the exceptionally expensive offerings on this list down off your most wanted list, and leaving the Shaker at the top. You can have quality knits at an affordable price, and the Trench gang just proved it.
This great-looking American-sourced 100% combed cotton is rib-knit throughout, so you’ve got sweet texture along with affordable and essential warming functionality, what more could you ask for at under $150?
Available for $140 from American Trench.
Clutch Cafe x Malloch’s Kelso Brushed Shetland
The Malloch’s for Clutch Cafe Kelso Brushed Shetland Sweater is the shaggy dog-style sweater for the rest of us. It’s a standard ivy style, but crafted to Malloch’s and Clutch Cafe’s exacting standards of what a shaggy sweater should be, and it’s damn good-looking one at that. Effortlessly stylish, these 100% true Shetland-wool sweaters are going to be a go-to as the years and cold seasons go by, as they’re available in some truly irresistible color ways.
Featuring a ribbed collar, cuffs, and hem, the Shetland Sweaters are brushed for extra plushness. They’re seamless, and relaxed in fit, so they’re clean in design and comfortable as can be.
Available for $140 from Clutch Cafe.
