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The moment you pull your arms through the best designer sweaters, you’re not the same person you were a minute earlier. The decadence of rich cashmere, cozy wool, and cushy alpaca is transcendent, transforming an outfit that mere seconds before was just jeans and a T-shirt into a luxurious ensemble. You see it in Jennifer Lawrence’s 2023 style refresh—there’s power in a designer sweater.
In part, what defines luxury sweaters as true wardrobe heroes are their top-quality fabrics, milled in the world’s best factories. “Material is definitely the most important factor,” says Tiffany Hsu, chief buying officer at Mytheresa. “The sweater has to be luxurious and soft to touch. Then, shape is always important for the piece not to become generic.” That means with thick knits, they keep structure, even with a loose fit. And with more delicate designs, they don’t pill or disintegrate when you wear them.
The best of the best can command a high price tag, so it’s always worth considering how a new sweater might integrate with the clothes you already have, making sure the style, material, and heft all fit your lifestyle. Opting for a simple silhouette in a neutral hue, like those offered from the Row or Toteme, might be your best bet if you want to ensure your new designer sweater will stand the test of time. And as Hsu notes, the right sweater “will never go out of fashion, as it’s so versatile and you can style it how you want based on the current trends.” How’s that for a sound investment?
Our Favorite Designer Sweaters for 2024
This delicately constructed sweater puts a new spin on Dior’s toile de Jouy Sauvage Chiné motif. The ribbed hem, cuff, and neck make for a fitted feel, while the blend of mohair, cashmere, and wool will keep you cozy.
Sizes: 0–14
Materials: 61% cashmere, 20% mohair, 14% polyamide, 5% wool (7-gauge)
A delectably cozy knit from Khaite, this striped sweater has an oversize fit that is perfect for cozy nights in, or for dressing up for the office. It’s made with 100 percent cashmere, so you know it’s supple and soft to the touch.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: 100% cashmere
Infuse some color into your winter wardrobe with this Jil Sander sweater. It has a cropped cut with a crewneck collar, a shape that’s perfect for layering an oversize button-down underneath. Try styling the sweater with high-rise white jeans for a bright outfit.
Sizes: 2–14
Materials: 100% wool
Embrace the boldness of Loewe’s signature Anagram with this slouchy loose-weave sweater. The balloon sleeves with cable knit details make a stylish statement, perfect for days you want an outfit that is cozy yet bold.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: Mohair, polyamide
Maria McManus Split Sleeve Collar Sweater
Maria McManus’s lusciously soft sweater has one creative detail you might miss. The sleeves are designed with slits along the forearm, to allow you to style the sweater in a number of unique ways (and free your arms if you get too warm). For the pragmatist, this sweater works hard.
Sizes: XS–L
Materials: 50% recycled cashmere, 50% organic cotton
Toteme Women’s Wool-Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
Toteme’s beauty is in its simplicity. This sweater is by no means an exception. The sleek design, in a creamy snow-colored blend of cashmere and wool, is one that requires utmost caution when wearing (no spilled lattes), but it’s worth a little extra care. It’s slightly structured, with a fit that will make you feel dressier just for putting it on.
Sizes: XXS–XL
Materials: 90% wool, 10% cashmere
The night will come when you want to show a little skin, but also find it’s too cold to wear anything but a cozy knit. This Jacquemus sweater is what you need. Strategic buttons are placed diagonally down the front, allowing a little skin to peek out from underneath.
Sizes: XXS–XXL
Materials: 51% alpaca, 25% polyamide, 22% wool, 2% elastane
Barrie x Sofia Coppola Chunky Cashmere Jumper
Barrie, the Scottish cashmere brand owned by Chanel, teamed up with filmmaker Sofia Coppola to create this oversize sweater with a sporty collar. It has a chunky, relaxed look, but is oh-so-soft to the touch, thanks to the high-quality cashmere.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: 100% cashmere
“I love Lisa Yang for good staples with a bit of fashion twist,” says Mytheresa’s Hsu. This bold pink sweater is not for the quiet dresser, but it is ideal for adding a rich touch of color to your outfits. The V-neck collar allows for any tops layered underneath to play as a contrast.
Sizes: 0–2
Materials: 100% cashmere
Tory Burch Double-Layer Mock-Neck Pullover
Make layering an easy feat with this sweater. It’s designed with double hems and collars to make it look as if you’re wearing two styles at once. When you really can’t be bothered to get dressed, but need something that feels put-together, this sweater will surely do the trick.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: 100% merino wool
Miu Miu’s logo-ified jacquard sweater is a playful option when something more muted just won’t do. The boxy silhouette can make for a relaxed outfit paired with post-yoga leggings, or can be dressed up with a pleated maxi skirt.
Sizes: 36–46
Materials: Wool
Gucci Cashmere Top With Horsebit
There’s a bit of a throwback touch to this short-sleeved sweater, with Gucci’s signature horsebit detail added to the front as a subtle IYKYK detail. The sweater works year-round, adding a versatile luscious-to-the-touch piece to your wardrobe.
Sizes: XS–3XL
Materials: Cashmere
The Row Ophelia Top in Wool and Cashmere
“They are just so irresistible once you touch them, and I prefer oversize shapes for a bit of a statement,” Hsu says of the Row’s sweaters. This oatmeal-hued style is simple, with a relaxed fit you can dress up or down depending on the rest of your outfit. Try heels and a silk skirt, or jeans and a pair of minimalist sneakers.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: 65% wool, 35% cashmere
Marni Blue & Green Striped Sweater
Consider these the right stripes. Italian label Marni is known for its use of bold colors and fun patterns, and this bright take on stripes is a fun addition to your everyday wardrobe. Since it’s made with 100 percent cotton, this lighter sweater can be worn all the way into summer.
Sizes: XS–L
Materials: 100% cotton
Stella McCartney Oversize Jacquard-Knit Sweater
Presenting an option with elevated edge: Stella McCartney’s equestrian-themed sweater features a pixelated horse image front and center. It’s designed in a textured alpaca fabric, and has a relaxed, slouchy look to it. Style with sleek complementary pieces, like equestrian boots, to lean into the look.
Sizes: XS–XL
Materials: 75% alpaca, 25% polyamide
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