Unlock the Secret Warmth: 21 Sweaters That Boost Your Comfort and Confidence Like Never Before

Unlock the Secret Warmth: 21 Sweaters That Boost Your Comfort and Confidence Like Never Before

Ever stared at your wardrobe and thought, “Do I really have the right sweater for every occasion?” Whether you’re braving the brisk morning chill or aiming to make a subtle style statement on a night out, the perfect sweater isn’t just about warmth—it’s about nailing that effortless blend of comfort and cool. Now, with styles evolving faster than a New Year’s fitness fad, it can get pretty bewildering trying to pick one that fits just right. Lucky for you, I’ve scoured through the best of the best—from lightweight everyday essentials to bold, statement pieces that demand attention. So, if you’re ready to upgrade your knit game and avoid the classic fashion faux pas of “just any sweater,” you’ve landed in the right spot. Ready to unravel the 21 best sweaters for men in 2025? Let’s dive in! LEARN MORE

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.

knit sweater with a textured pattern in various colorspinterest

Todd Snyder

Best Lightweight Sweater

Everlane The No-Sweat Sweater

The No-Sweat Sweater

Pros

  • Ton of color options
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Shape can lie flat after some wear

We like Everlane’s No-Sweat sweater as an everyday choice. It fits like a glove, it’s lightweight, and it comes in a ton of colors. The cotton-poly blend means it keeps you airy and doesn’t hold onto sweat.

Colors 10+
Material Cotton-poly

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Todd Snyder Wool Spacedye Crewneck Sweater

Wool Spacedye Crewneck Sweater

Pros

  • Great fit
  • Soft material

Cons

  • Pricey

Remember those heavy knit sweaters we mentioned you’d need? Yeah, this is one of them. Todd Snyder’s modern take on the fisherman-style sweater uses an open tuck stitch pattern and spacedyed yarn. This basically means multiple colors were applied along the length of the yarn to give it a mixed, multi-colored hue. That stitch and dye pattern gives the sweater a “tactile and visual texture,” as Todd Snyder describes it, that will certainly help you stand out at the ski lodge this winter.

Colors 5
Material Cashmere

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Best Ribbed Sweater

Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Rib Crew

Seafarer Cotton Rib Crew

Pros

  • Lots of color options

Cons

  • Might feel too heavy

Something about this sweater inspires the smell of sandalwood, which is to say the homespun cotton rib looks supremely cozy. It also comes in a variety of colorways that both make a statement but are neutral enough you can easily style with a bunch of pieces.

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Features at a Glance

Colors 8
Materials Cotton

Best Fisherman Sweater

L.L. Bean Heritage Soft Fisherman Sweater

Heritage Soft Fisherman Sweater

Pros

  • Classic shape
  • Under $100

Cons

  • Too heavy for some

L.L. Bean’s crewneck fisherman sweater is the ultimate heavier weight option. The cotton, cable knit design comes in every color your sweater rotation could want.

Colors 10
Material Cotton

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Best Quarter-Zip Sweater

Uniqlo Souffle Yarn Sweater

Souffle Yarn Sweater

Pros

  • Great price
  • Has some stretch

Cons

  • Material makeup not for everyone

There are few basics we wouldn’t go to Uniqlo for, but we’re particularly partial to the well-priced, lightweight sweaters. This quarter-zip feels like a hoodie but looks more put together.

Colors 4
Material Acrylic, polyester, wool, spandex

Best Budget-Friendly Crewneck Sweater

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Pros

  • Great price
  • 10 color options

Cons

  • Slim fit not for everyone

Quince’s cashmere crewneck is probably the best-priced cashmere you’ll find. Get this in a neutral and wear it everywhere.

Colors 10
Material Cashmere

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Best Basic Tutleneck

RRL Cotton-Wool Rollneck Sweater

Cotton-Wool Rollneck Sweater

Cons

  • Only available in one color

In our round-up of the best cardigans, we described this Fortela Majes cardigan as something “straight off the hanger of Willem Defoe’s wardrobe in Robert Eggers’s The Lighthouse.” This Ralph Lauren rollneck basically offers the sweater version of that. It’s giving fashionable Popeye meets salt-air-accented ruggedness with its worn, mixed cable stitching and nautical-inspired Aran-knit.

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Features at a Glance

Colors 1
Materials 80% cotton, 20% wool

Best Oversized Sweater

Abercrombie Oversized Waffle Crew Sweater

Oversized Waffle Crew Sweater

Pros

  • Great fit
  • Waffle weave

Cons

  • Color options sell out

Abercrombie’s waffle sweater is lightweight, a little oversized, and a fresh option for anyone stuck in a slim-fit crewneck sweater rut.

Colors 6
Material Cotton

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Best Retro Sweater

J. Crew 1988 Rollneck

1988 Rollneck

Pros

  • Available in a variety of colors and patterns

Cons

  • Runs big and feels a little heavy

If you liked everything about that RRL rollneck, but found yourself wanting something a little cheaper and with more color options, then boy, does J. Crew have you covered. This re-release of J. Crew’s famous 1988 rollneck sweater is the perfect sporty yet preppy retro look we need heading into this fall.

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Features at a Glance

Colors 9
Materials 100% cotton

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Best Active-Adjacent Sweater

Lululemon Textured Knit Crewneck Sweater

Textured Knit Crewneck Sweater

Pros

  • Airy fabric
  • Easy to dress up or down

Cons

  • Requires some TLC to keep its shape

Lululemon’s sweaters are a sleeper hit. It might not be the place you think of for a great sweater, but allow us to introduce this textured knit that is equal parts soft and airy. It has a great fit and does not feel in the slightest bit like it’s going to trap heat.

Colors 3
Material Coolmax polyester, organic cotton, nylon

Most Reached-For Sweater

Cos Boiled Wool Crewneck Sweater

Boiled Wool Crewneck Sweater

Now 22% Off

Pros

  • Easy to style
  • Good upgrade

Cons

  • Too warm for some

Cos makes sweaters that are simple but deliver. This boiled wool has a great fit and warm fabric. Wear it with any and all pants to the office, on a date, or out to dinner.

Colors 3
Material Boiled wool

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Best V-Neck

Buck Mason Como Cashmere V-Neck

Como Cashmere V-Neck

Pros

  • Light Egyptian cotton and cashmere

Cons

  • Only comes in two colors

Buck Mason designed this sweater in the spirit of 1960s Lake Como, and we can definitely envision Paul Newman lounging lakeside in a pair of chinos and loafers while wearing this relaxed silhouette. The Egyptian cotton and cashmere material also make it ideal for breezy evenings by the lake, or when you just need to shrug something on while hanging at the apple orchard.

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Features at a Glance

Colors 2
Materials Egyptian cotton and cashmere

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Best Statement Sweater

Tanner Fletcher Wellington Poodle Zip-Up Sweater

Wellington Poodle Zip-Up Sweater

Now 71% Off

Pros

  • Bold color and pattern

Cons

  • $$$

Live out your Harry Styles, fashion-inspired dreams with this poodle zip-up from genderless fashion brand Tanner Fletcher. The zip-up design gives you some flexibility with layering and the bold red color makes a statement, but what really takes center stage with this sweater are the poodles patterned around the sweater. It feels whimsical with a tasteful bit of kitsch.

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Features at a Glance

Colors 1
Materials 100% wool

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Best Colorful Sweater

Octobre Editions Nova Sweater

Nova Sweater

Pros

  • Colorful

Cons

  • Hand wash only

Take a break from the basic, easy-to-style neutrals, and opt for this colorful crewneck from Octobre Editions. Made from a blend of wool and alpaca, this sweater pairs well with a worn pair of jeans and a frosted winter morning.

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Features at a Glance

Colors 1
Materials 63% Wool, 20% Polyamide, 17% Alpaca

Best Polo Sweater

Madewell Sweater Polo

Sweater Polo

Pros

  • Versatile shaker stitch

Cons

  • Only comes in one color

The simplicity of Madewell’s polo sweater gives it the makings to be your go-to sweater during the cold months. It’s light enough you can wear it on brisk days, and also subdued enough to work for a variety of needs.

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Features at a Glance

Colors 1
Materials 100% cotton

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