Men's Lifestyle October 7, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock Your Style: The 6 Sweaters Every Guy Needs to Crush Winter Like a Pro

Ever wonder why some sweaters become instant classics, while others might as well be wearing the fashion equivalent of a “kick me” sign? Yeah, me too. It’s like that infamous techy quarter-zip your least-fashionable buddy insists on whenever he’s “trying to step it up”—you know the one, right? Thankfully, this isn’t about cringe-worthy wardrobe choices. It’s about celebrating the sweaters that deserve a standing ovation season after season: the chunky cable knits, the rugged crewnecks, and those effortlessly cool cardigans that never lose their charm. Think of this as your ultimate sweater survival guide, curated to help you build a closet that screams style, not sorry. So, ready to ditch the duds and cozy up in some well-earned knits? Let’s dive right in and get you dressed to impress as the temperatures drop. LEARN MORE.

6 min read

Some sweaters are bound for glory. Burly cable knits, rugged crewnecks, and easygoing cardigans are all part of this camp. They’ve been cool for decades (if not longer) and show no signs of losing their step in the years to come. Other sweaters, though, are bound for the trash heap, whether the proverbial one in our collective consciousness or the literal one on the outskirts of town. The flimsy, techy quarter-zip your least-stylish friend wears every time he needs to “dress up” is definitely one of those sweaters. With any luck, he’ll take it off and someone will abscond with it, saving him—and his friends and family—from any continued embarrassment.

We’re here to make sure your closet is well stocked with winners and free of the sort of clothing that elicits eye-rolls and pitying murmurs. Which is why we’ve compiled this list. It has all the styles you need to know and none of the junk on which fashion start-ups want you to waste your hard-earned money. There are cable knits, crewnecks, and cardigans, of course, as well as a few deep cuts. You don’t need to buy one from every category, but we won’t fault you if you do. It’s officially sweater season, after all. Now’s the time to stock up, cozy up, and look your best.

First, a Word on Brands

These days, you can score a very good sweater from a whole host of lifestyle brands and knitwear specialists. In the first camp, you’ve got well-known players like Ralph Lauren (don’t forget the western-infused RRL collection), Todd Snyder, Madewell, Buck Mason, J. Press, Alex Mill, Banana Republic, L.L. Bean, J. Crew, Quince, Uniqlo—the list goes on. In the latter, there are makers like Johnstons of Elgin, Howlin’, S.N.S. Herning, Extreme Cashmere, Inis Meáin, Kanata, Begg x Co, Pendleton, and Chamula. Again, that’s to name just a few. This list is by no means exhaustive—but it’s a good place to start. You should also keep in mind that when it comes to sweaters, you generally need to shell out for quality and longevity. That doesn’t necessarily mean a crazy-cheap cashmere sweater is the wrong move for some guys in some situations, but it will likely pill, pull, and wear out faster than a more expensive version. Take that information and do with it what you will. Now, with the required groundwork laid, it’s time to move along to the sweaters themselves.

The Rugged Crewneck

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Jazz drummer Max Roach in a truly phenomenal crewneck.

One the best things about bringing a sweater into any given outfit is the chance to add texture and depth. Simple cashmere and merino crewnecks can add a bit, but for our money, it’s a whole lot more fun to go for something bigger and burlier. Shaker-stitch sweaters deliver on that front, as do riffs on the classic Norwegian sweater that L.L. Bean made famous in the States. You could also opt for brushed Shetland wool, which you’ll find on the iconic—and unabashedly preppy—Shaggy Dog sweater from J. Press. Looking for flecked or marled wool is another good move, as the nature of the yarn itself gives a deeply charming irregularity to the finished product.

The Cable Knit

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Elvis wearing a cable-knit sweater in 1957.

Looking for even more texture? Time for a cable-knit sweater. The most famous ones hail from the Aran Islands in Ireland, and though there’s a lot of lore surrounding them—folks used to believe that the knitting patterns were ancient, potentially sacred, and inspired by Celtic knot work—they’re actually a relatively recent invention with purely ornamental textural flourishes. They still look fantastic, though, especially when paired with other hardy pieces like slubby denim, melton-wool peacoats, and thick-soled boots. Be warned: If you run hot, some cable-knit sweaters might be too warm for indoor wear. They were, after all, designed to be worn on windswept islands and fishing boats. Some brands, like L.L. Bean, have a steady stock of cotton versions. But if you want to keep it classic, nothing beats good old wool.

The Turtleneck

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Boxing legend Joe Frazier wearing a turtleneck in the ’70s.

There are a couple different ways you could go with this one. A favorite around the Esquire offices is similar to what you see above on Joe Frazier: a thinner, trimmer turtleneck in merino, cashmere, or lambswool that you can wear under a suit jacket, a sports coat, or a more casual light jacket (think a café racer, trucker, or chore jacket). It gives you all the polish you’d get from wearing a collared shirt and tie but with a dose of laid-back sophistication (and perhaps a whiff of mid-century hipster/beat poet). The other course of action is to go big with a turtleneck that has enough oomph—both visually and physically—to serve as a top layer. Both approaches are entirely valid, and we’d be hard-pressed to favor one over the other. Which is another way of saying that if in doubt, just get two turtlenecks.

The Cardigan

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Steve McQueen (yes, again) wearing a cardigan in 1965.

Remember a few years ago when every “it” boy (along with his entire entourage) was wearing a fuzzy, oversize cardigan? Those days are behind us, but still the cardigan persists. That’s because the style is timeless, of course, but also because there are so many cardigan permutations. Channeling Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged may not be the trendiest thing at the moment, but it’s still a viable move—especially if you’ve got the grunge vibe going with the rest of your look. But it might be a little easier, for most guys, to reach for the perennially popular shawl-collar cardigan, which wears like a cozy, relaxed alternative to a sports coat. There are also the slim, full-placket cardigans that guys like Paul Mescal took a liking to, though those can be a bit of a challenge, styling-wise. We’d recommend them only for Advanced Knitwear Users who want to break away from the pack. That doesn’t mean you can’t stand out in something easy to wear, though. Our bet, at the moment, would be something with a shirt collar, which lends a midcentury vibe. Try it instead of a chore jacket next time you’re stepping out on a brisk day.

The Light, Layerable Option

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Miles Davis making it look easy in 1959.

Sometimes you want something simple, solid, and super adaptable. Enter the easy-to-layer sweater, which isn’t a specific style so much as it is a description of how you’ll be wearing it. Look for lighter-gauge wool—merino and cashmere are great bets—and a slimmer fit that won’t bunch up under a jacket or overshirt. You could go crewneck or even V-neck, though if you do choose the latter we’d implore you to look for something with a shallower vee. Those plunging necklines favored by a few high-fashion labels are damn difficult to pull off, especially if you’re not model skinny. Because this sweater is meant to be a foundational piece, it’s best to skip crazy patterns or colors and opt for shades—navy, earth tones, etc.—that will play nicely with the rest of your wardrobe.

The Sweater Vest

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Paul McCartney knows that a sweater vest can be fun.

Yeah, yeah, it seems like something a stereotypical nerd from an old movie would wear. But put aside those concerns and look at Paul McCartney wearing a bright Fair Isle version of the humble sweater vest. It’s fun! That’s why guys like Tyler, the Creator have made the style a staple in their modern wardrobes. The point here isn’t to look like you have a collection of pocket protectors in a drawer at home; it’s to look like you know the sweater vest has a bit of an uncool reputation but you’re leaning into it to subvert expectations. Plus, it layers nicely, letting your arms breathe under a jacket while ideally injecting a bit of color and texture into your outfit. Give it a try. It might be just what you’re looking for.

Bonus! A Fun One

american actor jack nicholson at the 'terms of endearment' photocall in london, 1984. (photo by dave hogan/hulton archive/getty images)

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Jack Nicholson, not taking things too seriously in 1984.

You’ve made it all the way here and you’re still in the mood for more sweaters? Hell yeah! There are so many more sweaters to consider. And as long as you avoid the flimsy quarter zip and it’s dreaded casual cousin, the floppy knitted hoodie, you’re unlikely to find yourself in dangerous territory. The tennis sweater is a very specific, preppy beast, but it can look cool as hell, especially if you style it a little left of center (try sizing up and wearing it with beat-to-hell jeans, for instance). There are also patterns aplenty to explore, and we recommend starting with one of the all-time greats: Fair Isle. Polo Ralph Lauren’s take is a little more exuberant and not totally in line with the traditional standards for the pattern, but it’s an American icon nonetheless. And if you want a sweater that’s pretty much a coat, you can’t go wrong with a hand-knit, Cowichan-style zip-up. After that? Maybe you want a funnel-neck ribbed sweater with dropped shoulders. Maybe a shawl-neck pullover is more your speed. Maybe it’s cashmere polo, a waffle-knit thermal, or something in yak or alpaca or—if you’re really fancy—vicuña. Sweater season is only just beginning, and the world is your warm, woolly oyster.