It goes without saying that cozy knits are an essential part of any winter wardrobe. Luckily, we’re not here just to say it, we’re here to help you shop it with our edit of the best you can buy. While you can certainly find many seasonal sweaters with a trendier appeal on the market, most of our favorite essential knits have an inherently classic feel—timeless pieces that you’ll want to wear for years to come.
When the temperatures start to dip, classic cashmere crewnecks, heavy knit V-necks, and bundle-worthy turtlenecks are the pieces we’re reaching for day in and out. Cardigans, vests, and even wool or cashmere T-shirts are excellent options for winter too. They’re easy to layer and dress up or down. For all of our most essential winter knitwear picks, shop our edit below.
Vogue’s Top Essential Sweaters:
The Classic Crewneck
You can’t go wrong with an easy crewneck pullover for on or off-duty dressing. We love a fuzzy, brushed cashmere, like this one from The Row, or a preppy cable knit in poppy red from Favorite Daughter.
The Must-Have Cardigan
Due to recent popularity on the runways, cardigans are having a moment this fall, but the button-up style will always be in favor. Versatile and easy-to-wear, they’re a great extra layer for a chilly night out, and even better for transitional weather, too: wrap it over a coat when it’s a tad too warm for knitwear.
The Chunky V-Neck
With a slightly collegiate vibe, the chunky V-neck sweater swings preppier on the sweater spectrum but is an essential nonetheless. We love to wear ours layered over a crisp white tee.
The Timeless Turtleneck
The crewneck sweater’s slightly cozier cousin, turtlenecks will be our best friend as temperatures start to dip. You can’t go wrong with an old-school rollneck from J.Crew or a balloon-sleeved gray wool style from Toteme.
The Zip-Up
Zip-up sweaters, whether they open fully or just to the chest, are a great way to add a bit of texture and attitude to any look. We love Vince’s donegal wool version, which has a jacket-like look. Uniqlo and Gap meanwhile have great under-$100 options.
The Sleeveless Sweater
Once the territory of grandfathers and sitcom nerds, sweater vests have had a resurgence over the last decade. Any neckline or material goes, either layered over a T-shirt, long-sleeve top, or worn alone.
The Knit Polo
Less stiff than a button-up or a classic polo shirt, a knit polo has a polished feel while still being cozy and easy to wear. We love Citizens of Humanity’s slim-cut version for a slightly sexier look.
The T-Shirt
Knit T-shirts are the often unsung heroes of a wardrobe. They lend polish in spades to even the most simple pair of jeans.
The Base Layer
Speaking of unsung heroes—don’t head into winter without a great, knit base layer. These thin knits will keep you extra warm without the added bulk.
