We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Cozy season is finally here. Loft Sweaters
Sweater weather has finally arrived! Fall is the coziest time of year, packed with PSLs, apple picking, crackling fireplaces and snuggly sweaters. But last season's winter clothes may no longer be up to par or in style, so now is a great time to invest in new sweaters. The Good Housekeeping Institute fashion pros have found the best sweaters to buy in 2023, whether you're looking for turtleneck sweaters, cashmere knits or comfy cardigans.
Sweaters are a versatile cold-weather staple, easy to style with jeans and skirts alike. Throw a loose cardigan over a dress in early fall or pair a turtleneck with faux-leather pants and a winter coat during the coldest months. Plus, sweaters are available in all sorts of styles to show off your personality. We found the best styles from trendy brands like Aritzia and Abercrombie, classic brands like J.Crew, Banana Republic and LOFT and affordable retailers like Old Navy and Amazon.
We enlisted the help of Lana Blanc, NYC fashion pro and personal stylist, to help find the trendiest pieces and learn how to style them. "I've definitely been seeing an increased interest in timeless, understated sweaters which makes sense due to the popularity of the 'quiet luxury' trend," says Blanc. "Large logos and loud prints have gone away and have been replaced with classic pieces that are sure to stand the test of time."
At the end of this article, check out our shopping guide where GH fabric experts help explain the difference between popular sweater materials like wool, cashmere, cotton and synthetics to help you find the right sweater within your budget.
Just over $30 for a 100% cotton sweater is an amazing value. This Amazon Essentials sweater features a classic cable knit pattern in a midweight material. Available in 21 colors (plus stripes), this versatile piece is a staple in many wardrobes, and it's a crowd favorite with an impressive 7,000 Amazon reviews. The ribbed crewneck makes this sweater easy to pair with a fitted turtleneck underneath or a puffer vest on top. Online reviewers love the fit of this sweater, with one saying, "The fit is perfect and it is not too bulky or oversized as some sweaters tend to be. The assortment of colors is great. I will definitely be purchasing this in other colors." We love that this sweater is size inclusive with sizing up to a 6X.
Available sizes: XS-6X | Materials: 100% cotton | Care: Machine wash
Uniqlo consistently impresses GH fashion pros by offering high-quality products at an affordable price. Most 100% merino wool sweaters retail for over triple the price of this pick. It features ribbed details around the wrists, neckline and at the bottom to help prevent sagging. Many GH editors swear by this sweater's lightweight feel that's ideal for office wear. The brand also offers short-sleeved, cardigan and turtleneck versions made from the same material.
Available sizes: XXS-XXL | Materials: 100% merino wool | Care: Machine wash and lay flat to dry
Multiple GH editors report that this Aritzia sweater is a fall must-have. With an oversized fit and cable knit design with ribbed trim, this sweater is ideal to wear while cozying up by the fireplace. Some testers opted to size up to wear it as a sweater dress with leggings while others sized down for a more fitted look.
The brand's Peggy Sweater is available in a variety of styles, including cropped, v-neck and ribbed. Because it's made with majority merino wool, we found it warm and cozy but not too hot.
Available sizes: 2XS-2XL | Materials: 55% merino wool, 25% recycled nylon, 20% organic cotton | Care: Hand wash
Beloved by many GH editors, Everlane is a go-to shop for classic pieces made with quality materials. This crewneck is made with a majority of alpaca wool and a blend of nylon and merino wool. Ideal to wear everywhere from the office to weekend errands, this sweater has a subtle ribbed pattern and relaxed fit. For a more fitted look, some online reviewers opted to size down.
This sweater's crew neckline is ideal for showcasing necklaces and earrings — you can even wear this sweater over a fitted turtleneck. We love its lightweight feel that adds just the right amount of warmth in the colder months.
Available sizes: XXS-XXXL | Materials: 58% Alpaca, 34% Nylon (21% Recycled), 8% Merino Wool | Care: Dry clean only
Popularized by Meghan Markle, this J.Crew sweater has sold out many times for being a timeless piece that'll add a preppy flair to your wardrobe. It's made with 100% cotton for a soft, natural feel and features bright gold buttons. Available in both solid colors and stripes, this jacket can be worn year-round, easily pairing with jeans for a casual look or dress pants and Mary Janes to wear professionally. Online reviewers especially love its slightly cropped fit, which looks great on petite frames.
Available sizes: XXXS-3X | Materials: 100% cotton | Care: Machine wash
With a cozy feel and fitted design, this simple L.L.Bean crewneck is a super versatile office staple. It's available in 10 colors, including grey, purple and brown, to match everything in your wardrobe. With petite, plus and tall sizing options, this sweater is beloved by many with over 3,000 online reviews. One GH editor regularly wears this sweater to work with chunky jewelry and a silk midi skirt. It has a timeless design that'll never go out of style.
Available sizes: XS-3X with petite and tall sizing | Materials: 100% Mongolian cashmere | Care: Hand wash or dry clean
Avoid lugging your sweaters to the dry cleaner with this machine-washable pick from Athleta. The luxe wool/cashmere blend feels impressively soft, and the turtleneck design helps keep you cozy and warm. Red is a major trend this fall, so we love this bold color and the five other chic options too. Many online reviewers even say they love this sweater so much that they purchased it in multiple shades. One online reviewer said, "It is very warm but breathable, super soft, washes nicely (I machine washed, air dried). So comfortable, but polished looking such that it is my favorite go-to for the office."
Available sizes: XXS-3X | Materials: 80% wool and 20% cashmere | Care: Machine wash and lay flat to dry
Quarter-zip sweaters are a huge trend this season. This pick from Old Navy costs just $50 and is available in tall and petite sizing too. It's sold in five colors and it's easy to wear casually or dressed up for the office with slacks and a blazer. Some reviewers opted to size down for a more fitted look, but most said this sweater runs true to size. One online reviewer said it feels "so warm, soft, and comfortable! I didn't want to take it off."
Available sizes: XS-4X | Materials: Not listed | Care: Machine wash
Acing our Lab testing for cashmere sweaters, this durable pick from Garnet Hill cinched the top spot in our best cashmere sweater round-up. Testers rated this sweater the softest in our assortment, saying it felt cozy and fluffy. It has a relaxed fit that's still flattering thanks to the definition of the tapered waist and ribbed knit that goes from the wrist to the elbow. We love the classic not-too-low-cut V-neck design that makes this sweater great to wear casually and professionally.
Available sizes: XS-XL | Materials: 100% cashmere | Care: Hand wash
In the coldest weather, cozy up with a turtleneck sweater. Gap offers classic designs at an approachable price point. One of the brand's best sellers is this 100% cotton sweater that costs just $80. It features a roomy silhouette with a split hem and dropped shoulders. Available in both stripes and solids, many online reviewers say this viral sweater is worth the hype. One online reviewer called it a "very versatile sweater" that they could dress up or down, and another said, "It's the sweater of the season."
Available sizes: XXS-XXL with tall and petite sizing | Materials: 100% cotton | Care: Machine wash
Cropped sweaters are less bulky than traditional sweaters, so they're great to pair with high-waisted pants or skirts. This cable knit cropped sweater from Madewell has a classic V-neck design that shows off a bit of skin. This sweater is available in four colors, including the perfect off-white (pictured here). Cropped sweaters are easy to style year-round. We love to wear them French tucked into wide-leg trousers with a belt.
Available sizes: XXS-XXL | Materials: Cotton/acrylic/polyester | Care: Machine wash
Oversized sweaters are the ultimate cozy companion. This Free People sweater is a best-seller for its surprisingly chic fit. It features a ribbed mock turtleneck with dropped shoulders and a slouchy silhouette. The exposed seam detailing and side vents add a trendy touch. It's a tunic length, so it offers more coverage than other sweaters making it ideal to wear with leggings. "This is a staple piece that makes me feel cute every time I throw it on," said one online reviewer. We also love the cropped version of this sweater.
Available sizes: XS-XL | Materials: 59% Cotton, 36% acrylic, 4% nylon and 1% Spandex | Care: Hand wash
No ugly Christmas sweaters here! Enjoy the holiday season with a stylish sweater from LOFT. We love that the brand has a wide range of festive sweaters featuring cute sayings and wintry motifs. This midweight sweater has a relaxed fit that still looks put together, perfect for holiday soirees and après ski. We love the bright pops of red, pink and blue on this white sweater.
Available sizes: XXS-XXL with petite sizing | Materials: 63% Acrylic, 34% Nylon, 3% Wool | Care: Machine wash
The preppy look is back in style. This polo-style sweater from Abercrombie has a notch neckline for added preppy flair. Multiple GH editors recommended Abercrombie for both women's and men's sweaters because of the brand's trendy designs and affordable pricing. We love the ribbed detailing and the split hem that give this sweater a more luxe look. Online reviewers report that it's a great layering piece with one saying it's the "perfect fall sweater! Great on its own or can be stacked with a vest on top."
Available sizes: XXS-XL | Materials: 60% Cotton, 20% Viscose and 20% Nylon | Care: Machine wash
No wardrobe is complete without a classic cardigan this one from Banana Republic checks every box: it's made with quality merino wool, has a chic oversized design and can easily be dressed up or down. It has two front pockets, button closures and a longer length for an elegant look. Online reviewers agree that this is a staple in their wardrobes. One said, "I can't say enough positives about this cardigan. Fine quality and lightweight." Another called it a "very soft and warm sweater" and "an immediate go-to for work and home."
Available sizes: XXS-XXL | Materials: 100% extra-fine Merino wool | Care: Dry clean
We continue to be impressed with Quince's wide range of product offerings made with quality materials without the high prices — like this cashmere sweater that costs just $50. This sweater has a V-shaped neckline to show a bit more skin than a crewneck or turtleneck design. Many online reviewers say Quince is their go-to sweater shopping destination. One shared: "I think the cut of this v-neck sweater is absolutely perfect — not too tight, not too baggy, and it's exactly the right length. It's simple and elegant and the fabric feels great. I'm going to order another one in a different color — the price is fantastic."
Available sizes: XS-XL | Materials: 100% cashmere | Care: Hand wash
Ideal to wear year-round, sweater vests are the ultimate layering piece. Wear it on its own or with a long-sleeve top or blouse underneath for a chic varsity vibe. It's available in solid shades as well as houndstooth and argyle patterns with cropped and full-length options. This vest is made with acrylic to mimic the feel of wool at a more affordable price with no need to dry clean. It's an Amazon bestseller with over 4,000 Amazon reviews and many satisfied wearers. One online reviewer said, "This vest is very cute. The quality is excellent. I bought a white long-sleeved button-up shirt to go under it and it looks fantastic."
Available sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: 100% acrylic | Care: Machine wash
Featuring fringe and stripes, this fun sweater from House of Perna is totally unique to showcase your personality. "It looks so much more elevated than a traditional sweater but is still just as versatile to wear. I also love the pops of color," says Lexie Sachs, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab. It has a cropped fit with a fringe bottom, so we recommend pairing it with a fitted tank underneath. We love the bold metallic accents throughout.
Available sizes: XS-XL | Materials: Acrylic sweater with polyester fringe | Care: Hand wash or dry clean
For a chic look, this sweater dress from Reformation has long sleeves and a slit, perfect to show off your favorite boots. It's made with cashmere for a super soft, luxurious feel. It's fitted throughout for a dressier look that's ideal for a night out in colder weather. This dress is made with mostly recycled cashmere, making it a more sustainable purchase. We think the green shade is great for the upcoming holiday season, but it's also available in beige and black.
Available sizes: XS-XL | Materials: 90% recycled cashmere and 10% cashmere | Care: Hand wash
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is comprised of fiber scientists and fashion experts. We're fabric pros who know the best materials for knits that'll look good and last long term. We researched hundreds of different sweaters on the market before selecting a variety of styles to try firsthand. We reviewed each sweater's materials, care instructions, appearance and price to find the best buys while working alongside a fashion stylist to include all of the top trends of 2023.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
13 Best Fake Christmas Trees of 2023
The Best At-Home IPL Hair Removal Devices
The Best Primers for Dry Skin
The Best Men's Face Moisturizers
The Best Washer and Dryer Sets
The Best Shoes for Bunions of 2023
5 Best Snow Tires for Winter 2023
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Woman's Sweater ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.