My Ultimate Line Up of Sweaters

With the temperature drop, we’re honestly not motivated to leave the house. Winter is always particularly challenging to get out of a toasty bed. Here’s our line up of the ultimate sweaters to give yourself a warm hug.

What’s the difference between a sweater vs. a sweatshirt?

There’s a great discussion on the English Language & Usage Stack Exchange about the difference between a sweater and a sweatshirt.

The common consensus is that a sweater is a knitted garment, while a sweatshirt is generally sewn together using knitted or woven fabrics.

Sweaters are typically more formal, and you can see the knit pattern. Many sweaters are made from cotton, wool, or cashmere. They drape and follow the curves of your body for a more fitted look.

Sweatshirts have two sides – the finished side out and the napped side in (against the skin). Sweatshirts are generally used for sports and may be a bit more informal. They may also have a hood (aka hoodie) and a zipper. Many sweatshirts are made from cotton or synthetic fibers like polyester fleece.

So, for the purposes of this article, we will be listing sweaters and honorary sweatshirts.

Washable Merino Wool Crew Neck Sweater

Yes, we said washable. This sweaters are a lightweight staple, and looks great over button-up dress shirts or on its own. But, it’s made of 100% extra-fine Merino wool. It’s thin! So don’t just throw it in the wash even though it says it’s washable or you’ll end up with holes from the wear and tear of your washing machine.

You’ll need to wash it separately in a mesh bag and then lay it out flat to dry. It’s still a step up from handwashing. And it’ll prolong the life of your sweater.

Cable Knit Sweater

It’s time to show off some texture. Cable knit sweaters have an iconic weave that look super cozy, especially in light colors. Pair these pieces with some high waist jeans and some booties.

But keep in mind that the weave is loose, so the careful that you don’t snag your sweater. And you may also feel a slight breeze when it’s windy. So a skin-colored undershirt is key to layering when temperatures drop.

Chunky Fair Isle Sweater

This season, Fair Isle sweaters are in. And I am all over it! This traditional knitting technique is named after, you guessed it, the island in northern Scotland, Fair Isle.

Unfortunately, you can’t pick up just any Fair Isle-style sweater, or you may look like you’ve just come from an ugly sweater party. Choose a design where the pattern and color choice complement each other.

Cashmere Sweater

For the chilly days when you want an extra cozy hug, opt for cashmere. But, this may be an investment. Cashmere is one of the more expensive fabrics because its lightweight, warm, and about three to eight times more insulating than wool, depending on its thickness. Cashmere has made it onto our list of the best fabrics to wear in the winter because it’s one of the warmest and most luxurious sweaters you’ll ever wear.

Cashmere Sweatshirt

Yep, J.Crew and Madewell did it. They made a sweatshirt…in cashmere. Madewell took super-soft cashmere, super-sized it into a looser fit, and made a sweater you’ll never want to take off.

So, yes, technically, it may not be a sweater, but it’s made of cashmere. It needs an honorary mention.

Collared Sweater

For a more sophisticated look, we love adding a collar to a sweater. Of course you can always layer a sweater on top of a button-up blouse, but sometimes, an all-in-one is a nice get-up-and-go solution.

We find that these styles are seasonal and quick to disappear. So be sure to snatch it up if something catches your eye.

Featured Photo: Jeweled Collar Sweatshirt

From our writer:

I’m wearing Zara’s Jeweled Collar Sweatshirt. While the name “sweatshirt” gives a casual vibe, the added jeweled collar detail elevates the look. I absolutely love collared sweaters. That means you can wear it outside and not feel like you’ve rolled right out of bed. (I also wouldn’t recommend wearing this sweatshirt to bed. Those jewels are heavy, and you wouldn’t want them to snag.)

This sweater isn’t as soft as my other choices, but it’s incredibly striking in person. Plus, you have the slightly oversized, long sleeves that give you all the cozy feels. If you’re not convinced, here’s another photo of me in a Turkish restaurant. Because why wouldn’t you eat Turkish food when you’re in Taipei, Taiwan?