Travel Products Style Apparel The 10 Best Wool Sweaters of 2023 Our top pick is the Quince Australian Merino Wool Crew Sweater. By Rebecca Brown Rebecca Brown Instagram Twitter Rebecca is a seasoned writer, editor, and producer with expertise in fashion, lifestyle, wellness, and parenting editorial. She's skilled at connecting with readers with engaging, conversational content across print, digital, social media, and video. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on January 24, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / David Hattan When it comes to shopping for sweaters, it’s hard to overlook the functionality and versatility of buying wool fabric. A natural fiber derived from animals (sheep and goats are some of the most common), wool has natural stretch to it and it retains heat easily, which makes the textile smart to include in your winter packing lists. Some types of wool, like merino, can also help regulate body temperature and absorb sweat, which is great for warm weather. When you shop for wool you’ll notice there are a number of different types available, from alpaca to dressy cashmere and the aforementioned merino, and that’s all dependent on the type of animal the wool came from. Our top wool sweater pick is the Quince Australian Merino Wool Crew Sweater because it has a classic fit with perennial appeal. Additionally, it’s ultra-wearable, soft, and affordable. And for those planning to pack their Quince sweater for an upcoming trip, you’re in luck because it’s also wrinkle-resistant. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Quince Merino Wool Crew Sweater at Onequince.com Jump to Review Best Sustainable: Cuyana Recycled Cashmere Mock Sweater at Cuyana.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Everlane Cozy-Stretch Pullover at Everlane.com Jump to Review Best Splurge: Janessa Leoné Sweater at Janessaleone.com Jump to Review Best Oversized: Cos Oversized Alpaca-Blend Sweater at Cos.com Jump to Review Best Turtleneck: Liny Xin Turtleneck at Amazon Jump to Review Best Merino Wool: Abercrombie & Fitch Wool-Blend Ribbed Cardigan at Abercrombie.com Jump to Review Best for Men: Smartwool Men's Crew Sweater at Zappos Jump to Review Best Cashmere: Madewell Cashmere Relaxed Sweater at Madewell.com Jump to Review Best Ribbed: Sézane Trudy Jumper at Sezane.com Jump to Review Best Overall Quince Australian Merino Wool Crew Sweater Quince View On Onequince.com Why We Love It It’s a super lightweight sweater and you get a full year to decide if you want to keep or return it. What to Consider Sizing is somewhat limited, ranging from XS to XL only. This is your everyday, cold-weather sweater that you’ll never tire of. If you’re new to Quince, the brand offers sustainable, high-quality pieces at more-than-affordable price points, and that’s what makes this Australian merino wool sweater a top pick. It’s made of 100 percent biodegradable merino wool, and the yarn weight is 19.5 microns (the lower the number, the softer the wool), making it soft and less likely to be itchy. Australian merino is a favored textile for a wealth of reasons: It’s no-fuss, wrinkle-resistant, and a breathable knit. This sweater is available in four shades, including caramel, black, and navy. Price at time of publish: $30 The Details: XS to XL | Merino wool Best Sustainable Cuyana Recycled Cashmere Mock Sweater Cuyana View On Cuyana.com Why We Love It Cuyana partners with an Italian family-owned mill to give cashmere a second life with this gorgeous mock-neck sweater. What to Consider Colors are limited. This closet staple is the full package. The sweater features dropped shoulders, so it’s roomy and effortless, with a subtle crop for tucking into jeans and trousers. Cuyana is transparent with its sustainable efforts, too. This piece is made with 95 percent recycled cashmere and was made at a 130-year-old Italian family mill. Price at time of publish: $278 The Details: XS to XL | Recycled cashmere, wool Best Budget Everlane The Cozy-Stretch Pullover Everlane View On Everlane.com Why We Love It It’s roomy and breathable. What to Consider It has a boxy fit so it can be challenging to tuck into waistbands. You may want to size down if you don’t want an oversized fit. For an easy stretch sweater that goes with everything from trousers to jeans, Everlane’s Cozy-Stretch Pullover is a top pick. It’s a wool blend, made with nylon, yak hair, and elastane, and has a roomy fit, with dropped shoulders and exaggerated sleeves. Everlane’s all about transparent pricing, so you can see exactly where all your money is going, from transportation costs to materials and labor. Price at time of publish: $100 The Details: XXS to XL | Wool, recycled nylon, yak hair, elastane The Best Cardigan Sweaters for the Coziest Flight Best Splurge Janessa Leoné Margeaux Sweater Janessa Leoné View On Janessaleone.com Why We Love It It’s hand-knit in the United States and features intricate, beautiful cabling. What to Consider Sizing is limited — there are just two sizes available (XS/S and M/L). There is so much to fawn over with this luxurious sweater, where to even begin? To start, the entire piece is hand-knit from a woman-owned co-op in New England, which is why it takes 28 hours to complete. The way the brand obtains the wool is an even better story. Janessa Leoné uses regeneratively sourced materials, and their sheep are housed on a carbon-negative farm that doesn’t deplete the environment. The piece has an oversized fit and is made with a heavy, chunky knit — it weighs 3 pounds. Price at time of publish: $797 The Details: XS/S and M/L | Regeneratively-sourced merino Best Oversized Cos Oversized Alpaca-Blend Sweater Cos View On Cos.com Why We Love It It’s got that slouchy, vintage vibe that looks like it’s been in your closet for decades. What to Consider Sizing runs just XS to L. If you’re looking for a mood-boosting slouchy sweater, this bright yellow jumper is it. Made using an alpaca blend, this sweater is spongy, fuzzy, and loose-fitting, making it ideal for those throw-on-and-go days when you want to be both comfortable and put together. The sleeves feature a ribbed trim to make it easy to bunch them at the elbow. The back length of a size small is 25 inches long, which means this sweater will fit longer and hit below the hips. It’s dry clean only, and it’s been certified by the Responsible Wool Standard to protect the sheep and their habitat. Price at time of publish: $135 The Details: XS to L | Alpaca, wool, polyamide Best Turtleneck Liny Xin Turtleneck Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It’s soft and available in 15 shades. What to Consider It tends to run small, so you may want to size up. Turtlenecks on their own make great layering pieces when they’re thin and can easily slip underneath blouses and button-downs. This 100 percent merino wool turtleneck is made from a 12-gauge knit, which refers to the tightness of the weave (12 stitches per inch), resulting in a thin, warm, and soft essential available in 15 shades. Price at time of publish: $68 The Details: S to XL | Merino wool Best Merino Wool Abercrombie & Fitch Wool-Blend Ribbed Cardigan Abercrombie & Fitch View On Abercrombie.com Why We Love It It’s thick and warm. What to Consider It’s a cropped sweater measuring 20 inches in body length, so it works best with high-waisted jeans and skirts. Merino is known for being a fine wool that regulates body temperature because of its moisture-wicking properties, and this three-button merino-blend cardigan offers elevated texture, thanks to the ribbed stitching. It has a cropped fit, which looks great buttoned up over paper-thin turtlenecks and everyday denim. Price at time of publish: $130 The Details: XXS to XL | Nylon, merino wool, cotton Best for Men Smartwool Men's Brookline Crew Sweater Smartwool View On Zappos View On Smartwool.com Why We Love It The polyester blend makes it super soft. What to Consider The colors are limited. This all-day, everyday sweater is made of a polyester, merino wool, and nylon blend that’s soft on the skin, so it feels and fits more like a crewneck sweatshirt (bonus: it’s soft enough that you don’t need to wear a shirt underneath it). It features a crew neck style and ribbed details along the trim and collar that add warmth. Price at time of publish: $140 The Details: S to XXL | Recycled polyester, merino wool, nylon The 9 Best Fisherman Sweaters for Women of 2023 Best Cashmere Madewell (Re)sponsible Cashmere Relaxed Sweater Madewell View On Madewell.com Why We Love It We love the range of sizes — it’s available in regular and plus. What to Consider It has a boxy fit, which might be challenging to style if you prefer slim-fit clothing. Cashmere is often regarded as a luxurious fiber because it comes from combing cashmere goats, resulting in a soft fiber that’s perfect for clothing. This one from Madewell has a boxy fit that makes it look like it was a hand-me-down from Dad, resulting in a closet staple you’ll want to immediately tuck into the waistband of all your jeans. It’s part of the brand’s DoWell program, which ensures the cashmere wool is sustainable and certified by organizations that support healthy animal welfare and farmer working conditions. Price at time of publish: $138 The Details: XXS to 4XL | Cashmere Best Ribbed Sézane Trudy Jumper Sézane View On Sezane.com Why We Love It It’s delicate and dreamy, with a fuzzy ribbed texture. What to Consider This sweater has mohair, which can be itchy. This elevated ribbed mock neck from French retailer Sézane is an incredibly lightweight and soft jumper, made of polyamide, super kid mohair, merino wool, viscose, metallic fibers, and a touch of elastane. It’s a standout piece that can take an everyday jeans look and make it party-ready. The stunning button placket at the front features gorgeous gold button hardware that shines. Price at time of publish: $150 The Details: XXS to XXXL | Polyamide, super kid mohair, merino wool, viscose, metallic fibers, elastane Tips for Buying the Best Wool Sweaters Choose merino wool when possible Before you start shopping for wool sweaters, consider whether or not you want to wear them in warm climates, cold, or year-round — merino wool is more breathable than cashmere, for example, making it suitable for year-round wear because it absorbs sweat and helps regulate body temperature. Consider your budget Certain wool fibers tend to be more affordable than others. If you’re looking for a budget pick, opt for a wool sweater that incorporates a percentage of a non-luxury fiber, like nylon. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best wool for sweaters? The best wool for sweaters is an extra-fine merino wool because the textile is noticeably thin and long, so it’s unlikely you’ll feel itchy the way you might with other fabrics. Merino wool also absorbs sweat well so it can be worn year-round depending on the weight of the sweater. How do you wash a wool sweater? One of the most common ways to wash a wool sweater is by hand. Many brands recommend turning it inside out and hand-washing in a bowl or sink with wool detergent or a mild soap. When the water runs clear, lay it over a towel and roll it up tightly to remove excess water. After that, lay it flat to dry completely and store folded as opposed to on a hanger, because it can lose its shape. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure freelance writer Rebecca Brown used her extensive fashion knowledge — and past travel experience — to research the best wool sweaters on the market right now. The 13 Best Cashmere Essentials for Travel of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit