You NEED These 4 Essential Sweater Styles in Your Wardrobe!

Knitwear is an essential part of a classic wardrobe, but with so many options out there, which ones should form the core collection that you need to own? No matter where you land on the spectrum of personal style, we’ve got four top sweater picks today that are sure to become favorites in your collection. And to prove this point, we’re also offering styling advice for each of these sweater options to make sure that you’re always looking dapper in your knitwear.

https://youtu.be/YGFwNCT-Bro

4 Essential Sweaters

1. The Formal V-Neck Sweater

If, for whatever reason, there’s only space for one sweater in your wardrobe, we’d suggest that this be it. Why is this? Well, most principally, we think that a V-neck sweater is the perfect, more casual alternative to wearing a jacket in business casual settings; and even if you don’t wear a sport coat or blazer consistently, having a sweater like this will still allow you to layer your outfits and give you greater versatility in dressing.

If you do choose to wear a jacket, this style can also be an additional layering piece worn under the jacket as an alternative to a waistcoat. 

In terms of versatility, colors like navy and charcoal gray are probably going to be your best bets here, for similar reasons as to why we recommend navy and charcoal suits to men just starting to build up their collections.

You could also use this as an opportunity to introduce colors that might be harder to put into your outfits otherwise, such as burgundy, forest green, or taupe. Generally speaking, though, dark, muted colors are going to give you the most mileage, and lighter colors will be a bit more situational.

While the V-neck’s cousin, the similarly popular crew neck, could also fill this role within your wardrobe, the crew neck styling options are actually much more limited.

The main reason is that a crew neck sweater doesn’t work as well with a necktie. The high neck opening of the sweater will cover up most of the tie or even the knot and not allow it to drape properly. Plus, unless you’re wearing the right kind of shirt, even the shirt’s collar can end up looking bunched up and squished under the sweater neck opening as well.

So, most of the time, we’d recommend wearing a V-neck sweater whenever you’re wearing a collared shirt, whether or not you’re wearing a tie. Meanwhile, the choice of fiber for the sweater you’re wearing will vary based on the climate you’re living in.

The versatility of a V-neck sweater means that it should give you a lot of opportunities to wear it, and you’re not going to want to freeze or overheat while doing so. As a general note here, you’ll want this sweater to be of a finer weave so that, formality-wise, it will blend well with more formal clothing and dress up more casual clothing. On the other hand, though, you don’t want the weave to be so fine that it almost becomes see-through.

If you live in an especially warm climate, though, you will want to be even more mindful of just how much sweat is interacting with your sweater. Popular options in these cases would include linen, flax, or a looser organic cotton weave. Meanwhile, if you’re in a particularly cold environment, then a heavyweight wool alpaca or cashmere sweater will serve you well. In these cases, the extra material and the tighter weave will help to insulate you better.

Whatever climate you live in, though, we would suggest avoiding sweaters made entirely or principally from nylon, acrylic, or polyester. In addition to not regulating your temperature as well, these materials are probably going to break down more quickly, and they have a tendency to look cheap as well.

Next, as we get into outfit ideas for this sweater type and the others on our list today, remember that they are just general suggestions and that you don’t have to follow them to a tee.

Outfit #1: Tweed Sportcoat, Navy V-Neck Sweater, Light Blue Shirt, Olive Corduroys, and Wingtips

So, for our first outfit here, consider something like a tweed sport coat, a V-neck sweater in a neutral color like navy or charcoal, a neutral shirt like white or light blue, corduroy trousers, and wingtip shoes.

This is a combination that’s great for business casual as the v-neck is going to sharpen your look, but it won’t be quite as formal as wearing a waistcoat. In other words, it’s a great combination for wearing tailored clothes in a more informal manner.

Outfit #2:  Olive Field Jacket, Navy V-Neck Sweater, Checked Shirt, Tan Chinos, and Chukka Boots

Our second outfit suggestion here, of course, keeps the V-neck sweater but pairs it with a field jacket in a color like olive green and also a checked shirt, chinos in a color like tan, and chukka boots.

This combo is a step down in formality from outfit one, leaning into the casual side of things by utilizing utilitarian outerwear, and of course, the patterned shirt and chinos help to make things more casual as well. With that said, this look should still be appropriate in most business-casual settings or, at least, smart casual, as all of the pieces are going to look polished without looking too informal.

Outfit #3: White T-Shirt, Navy V-Neck, Jeans, and Dress Sneakers

For our third outfit, consider pairing your V-neck sweater with a white T-shirt, denim jeans, and dress sneakers. This, of course, is one of the most casual ways to wear a V-neck, and it’s a prep staple for incorporating knitwear into a casual outfit.

The sweater will provide you with more warmth than if you were just wearing the T-shirt alone, and of course, it helps to elevate the formality of the other more casual pieces, at least somewhat; and if the dress sneakers don’t happen to be your style, you could substitute them for suede shoes, boat shoes, or loafers.

Meanwhile, if you’re not one to wear a plain white T-shirt in your looks, you could step up the formality slightly with something like an Oxford cloth button-down shirt. But, if you would like more styling advice for white T-shirts, then Kyle has you covered in another guide.

2. The Shawl Collar Cardigan Sweater

Shawl-collared cardigans have a similar level of versatility to V-necks, but they have a unique character that no other sweater style can replicate. The signature high shawl collar of this sweater style somewhat mimics a jacket’s lapel roll, meaning that it pairs especially well with neckwear when framing your face.

Of course, whether you’re wearing a tie or not, there is also the added benefit of being able to flip the collar up to protect your neck from the cold if necessary. And as another staple of the prep look, you can sometimes see this sweater style emblazoned with collegiate motifs.

The biggest potential drawback with this sweater style is that its signature collar can add quite a bit of extra bulk, meaning it won’t always pair well with every type of jacket. Even though layering this sweater style can be a bit more challenging, it certainly can be done. You could also think of this look as the more dapper alternative to wearing a hooded sweatshirt under a jacket.

Sweaters like these can also be great traveling companions as they will probably avoid the creasing that’s likely to occur if jackets are packed into a suitcase.

While there are some shawl-collared cardigans that exist in buttonless or even double-breasted varieties, know that these styles are going to be less versatile than the traditional, single-breasted, buttoned variety. The most classic option would be to choose a single-breasted sweater in a plain neutral color with four to six buttons.

Collar sizes can also vary by brand and style, but the most traditional options are going to have a fairly bulky collar to them. Meanwhile, a thinner shawl collar will be a more contemporary choice.

When it comes to materials, this sweater style is generally going to be available in a chunkier knit with heavy lambs’ wool being a popular option. You should also be able to find it fairly easily in linen, cotton, cashmere, and other natural fibers as well, and they don’t necessarily have to be in a chunky style if that isn’t the look you prefer.

Much like the V-neck sweater, this style looks great with everything from a collared shirt and tie, all the way down to a t-shirt and jeans. We often like to wear it with Fort Belvedere corduroys, though.

Outfit #1: Tweed Sportcoat, Burgundy Shawl Collar Cardigan, Flannel Shirt, Tan Corduroys, and Wingtips

When it comes to outfit ideas, consider pairing a neutral-colored shawl-collared cardigan in a color like burgundy with a tweed jacket, flannel shirt, corduroys in a color like tan, and wingtip shoes.

The cardigan helps reinforce the rustic nature of the tweed jacket and corduroys, and it can either replace a waistcoat or be worn over one. Plus, the collar will help frame your neckwear, whether that’s a necktie or something like an ascot, and at the same time, it should still be casual enough to mesh well with a flannel shirt.

Outfit #2:  Shawl Collar Cardigan, Tweed Waistcoat, Flannel Trousers, and Loafers

For another outfit, consider pairing the cardigan with a tweed waistcoat, flannel trousers, and loafers. This is another more relaxed interpretation of a three-piece ensemble, with the sweater here taking the place of the jacket instead of the waistcoat.

This type of outfit should work well in a variety of climates and while traveling as you could take the sweater off if you’re too warm and still be wearing your waistcoat to look put together.

Outfit #3: Denim Shirt, Burgundy Shawl Collar Cardigan, Jeans and Chukka Boots

For some even more direct outfit inspiration, consider wearing a shawl-collared cardigan in a color like rust orange, as Kyle does here. He’s here paired it with a dark blue denim shirt, stone-colored denim jeans, and chukka boots.

This, of course, would be one of the most casual ways to wear a sweater like this, and it reinforces the point that you don’t have to wear neckwear with it as it’s going to elevate something more casual like the denim shirt.

Again, if you wanted to dress things down even more, you could also opt for a T-shirt and dress sneakers here.

3. Turtleneck Sweater

Third on our list today is the classic turtleneck sweater. There are very few items in classic menswear that come across as both debonaire and casual cool quite as well as a turtleneck sweater does when paired properly.

If you opt to wear one with flannel trousers, jeans, or a bomber jacket, you could live out your fantasies of being a Cold War spy or mod movie star, at least when it comes to your outfit, that is. Style icons to take inspiration from here would include Sammy Davis, Jr. and the King of Cool, Steve McQueen.

The elongated neck of the turtleneck sweater will, of course, help to keep you warm on colder days and will also draw more attention to your face. For both of these reasons, we would recommend, in most cases, going with a true turtleneck style and not a mock neck sweater. A genuine rolled neckline will frame your face better and will also look better at home with tailored clothing. Still, you don’t have to write off mock necks entirely. If you find one that you think works well for you, go for it.

We’d also recommend picking a thinner, finer fabric for your first turtleneck so that you can more easily layer it under a jacket without overheating. Again, do make sure that it isn’t so fine as to be semi-transparent. Meanwhile, thicker turtlenecks can work well when worn alone or directly under something like an overcoat.

Casual sport coats are perfect to pair with this style of sweater, though, as the casual nature of both the sweater and the jacket is going to be mutually reinforcing, and while it will depend somewhat on the fabric choices here, they can also go well with casual suits.

Outfit #1: Gray Flannel Suit, Black Turtleneck, and Black Chelsea Boots

A light gray flannel suit can look especially debonaire when paired with a black turtleneck sweater, which is why it’s our first outfit suggestion here when paired with black Chelsea boots.

This is one of the most foolproof ways to make the color black work well in classic daywear. The sweater adds a nonchalance to the suit and also, because of its more casual fabric, generally works better than a black dress shirt would; and, of course, having both the sweater and the suit on the grayscale prevents any severe contrast and helps things to look harmonious.

Outfit #2: Camel Hair Sport Coat, Ivory/Taupe Turtleneck, Brown Chinos, and Loafers

For outfit number two, try pairing a camel hair sport coat with a turtleneck in taupe or ivory, along with loafers and casual trousers like chinos or corduroys. An ivory turtleneck can be a great alternative to a white dress shirt.

The woolen texture of the turtleneck will create some more visual interest and a more dynamic outfit as a result, and while an ivory color will pop a bit while still pairing easily with the earth tone, you could reinforce the earth tones by going with a taupe sweater instead.

Outfit #3: Suede Leather Jacket, Navy Turtleneck, and Jeans

Outfit number three pairs a dark turtleneck in a color like navy with jeans and a suede or leather jacket. Inspired by Steve McQueen, this outfit serves the practical purpose of trapping in the heat without resorting to large or bulky overcoats, which might not always work well with more casual clothing, and if you do opt for jeans, this will break up a monochromatic outfit giving it a bit more variety.

4. A Casual Sweater

Finally, today, our number four pick on this list is a bit more general than the previous three, but you should still see what we mean: a casual sweater. While versatility can go a long way, some sweater styles are best suited to certain situations, and as sweaters are all about practical comfort, they don’t always need to be dressy.

So, if you’re going on a cold weekend walk, spending some time at home with friends or family, or just want to relax for a while still being comfortable, you could opt for a more casual sweater style like the aforementioned crew neck, a sweater vest, or for a more modern look, a quarter zip sweater.

With this said, though, we would caution in most cases against full-zip sweater styles as they don’t tend to be flattering on most men.

For your casual sweater choice, you can also select something with a bolder detail like the striping found on tennis and cricket sweaters; a bolder knit like a cable knit or fisherman pattern; more unusual colors like purple, orange, or yellow; or even something especially bold like a patterned Fair Isle sweater.

The biggest thing to consider with this sweater is your lifestyle and personal preferences. This is a sweater that should be a reflection of you, allowing you to embrace some of these style quirks that you might not wear as frequently otherwise.

Outfit #1: Light Colored Fair Isle Sweater, OCBD, Jeans, and Casual Boots

That gets us nicely into outfit ideas here, where we’ll start by pairing a Fair Isle sweater with an Oxford cloth button-down shirt, jeans, and casual boots.

The bold pattern is obviously going to create a focal point here, so don’t be afraid to let the sweater take center stage. This is certainly a fun approach to a classic outfit and should give you the chance to show off a bit of personality.

Outfit #2:  Polo Coat, White Tennis Sweater, Light Blue OCBD With Knit Tie, Navy Corduroys, and Wingtips

Outfit number two pairs a tennis sweater in a traditional color like white with a polo coat, light blue or similarly neutral Oxford cloth button-down shirt, knit tie corduroys in a color like navy, and wingtip shoes.

Polo coats and tennis sweaters are two articles of clothing that each has collegiate, sporty backgrounds; pairing them together then creates a preppy look that is naturally harmonious while also taking full advantage of the unique properties a tennis sweater provides.

Outfit #3: Olive Field Jacket, Cable Knit Sweater, Tan Chinos, and Chukka Boots

For our final outfit here, consider something like an olive field jacket paired with a cable knit sweater, tan chino trousers, and chukka boots. The thick cable knit of something like a fisherman’s sweater won’t look out of place in this outfit, which creates a look that is casual and laidback while still being properly classic.

Conclusion

While the world of sweaters can be full of nuance, the four options that we’ve provided today should work for most men, time and again. If you already have the sweater styles on today’s list in your wardrobe, then you should be well covered for almost any layering situation or occasion. If you don’t have all of these styles on hand yet, there’s still time, so don’t sweat it.

Do you feel like we left any sweater styles off of this list? If so, let us know in the comments below which sweater style you think is also a must-have.

Outfit Rundown

Today, I’m wearing a smart casual or perhaps business casual outfit that could work in a variety of settings. The central element of the outfit is my shawl-collared cardigan sweater in black. This sweater features a varied weave, with its top half featuring a couple of different weave styles, including a cable knit. It also has two pockets and five buttons and is actually slightly oversized on me. This is because I typically wear it as a layering piece around the house when I want to warm up a bit. Still, it can be dressed up slightly, as I’ve done today, wearing it over a French cuff shirt from Charles Tyrwhitt, featuring a pattern of fine gray and white stripes. I’ve got the cuffs of the shirt configured in a barrel style with simple black links to fit better under the sleeves of the sweater.

To harmonize with the shirt, my trousers are also gray in color, though they do feature a very slight pattern and texture in their weave.

My shoes are a well-worn and well-loved pair of black loafers from Allen Edmonds that you might not see in too many of our guides. As you can tell, they’re on their way to retirement, and they might be replaced by a new pair of black loafers soon, so keep an eye out.

Finally, today, the socks I’m wearing are from Fort Belvedere. They are two-toned solids in black and white, and the fragrance I’m wearing from the Roberto Ugolini collection is Derby. This scent has a spicy character that is bold without being too aggressive, and I chose it today not only because I like the scent but also because the black bottle harmonizes with my outfit.

So, for the socks I’m wearing today, along with a wide array of other classic men’s accessories, corduroy trousers, and fragrances from the Roberto Ugolini collection, you can take a look at the Fort Belvedere shop.