The 10 Best Wool Sweaters of 2024

Alas, we are knee, er, elbow, deep in sweater weather. When temperatures tank, you realize not all sweaters are created equal. And while moderate climates may be more forgiving to breathable cotton or polyester sweaters, frigid temps and snow are going to require something more insulating. Enter the wool sweater. With their thick yarns and naturally temperature-regulating properties, wool sweaters will require less layering in order to feel toasty. “Wool also adds structure and volume,” says fashion stylist Rosey Beeme, which is just what you need during the winter.

To help you find the best of the best, we consulted a group of experts and tried a bunch of sweaters out ourselves. We took into consideration different wool blends and specific wool types (like merino wool) because wool can sometimes be a little itchy. Whatever your preferred style may be, we found the top wool sweaters from the best turtlenecks to crewnecks to boleros.

Best Overall

Athleta Alpine Turtleneck Sweater

What We Love: This can be thrown into the washer and dryer.

What We Don’t Love: It’s quite oversized, and a lot of people are suggesting to size down.

This wool turtleneck sweater has cashmere blended in to help soften the often itchy fabric. It will be just as breathable and even pull sweat away from the body to save you from accidentally overheating if you misjudge the temperature outside or happen to have an overheated office. And although you might think that will make it harder to care for, you can still machine wash (and dry!) this sweater, which we weren't expecting — no trips to the dry clean required.

We appreciate the relaxed fit of this sweater, too. The boxy fit with ribbed hems errs on the oversized side, naturally falling to your hips, while the long sleeves give a cozy effect as they cover your hands. If you wish for a more standard fit, however, it’s recommended to size down.

Material: Wool, cashmere | Size: XXS–3XL  | Length: Mid

Best Budget

Quince Baby Alpaca-Wool Diamond Stitch Crew

What We Love: Its incredibly soft material has awarded this piece a near-perfect five-star rating.

What We Don’t Love: Some colors are a little see-through.

If you don’t know Quince by now, it’s time to familiarize yourself with the brand that creates quality pieces at an affordable price. After trying one of the brand's 100 percent cashmere sweaters, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality for such a low price — and I definitely expect the same level of craftsmanship for this wool sweater, too.

Made of baby alpaca wool, extra-fine merino wool, and nylon, this sweater is a lightweight option that feels incredibly soft. It comes in a crewneck cut with extra long sleeves and some room to move around. However, there are a few complaints that some versions are slightly see-through, particularly the lighter color options like ivory or light gray. You will need to wear a tee or camisole underneath to combat any sheerness (or just pick a very cute bra).

Material: Baby alpaca wool, extra fine merino wool, nylon | Size: XS–XL | Length: Mid

Best Splurge

Attire The Studio Courchevel Sweater Taupe

What We Love: It’s sustainably made in Italy and the 100 percent wool and thick stitching make it extremely warm.

What We Don’t Love: We wish it was offered in more colors.

Not only is this sweater made of 100 percent wool, but the wool Attire The Studio uses is Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) Certified, meaning that it had to undergo rigorous testing to ensure the well-being of animal welfare and land management. A sustainable piece such as this is going to come with a higher price tag, especially if you also factor in that it’s made in Italy where highly skilled workers receive a living wage.

Of course, great material alone isn’t going to sell you on this piece, so take a look at its gorgeous cable-knit pattern, oversized sleeves, and ribbing around the mock neck. Warmth is certainly guaranteed in this piece, but so is an elevated style. We love it so much, we like to shop from a wider range of colors, like black or navy.

Material: RWS-certified wool | Size: XS–XL | Length: Mid

Best Plus

Everlane The Alpaca Crew

What We Love: There is some nylon blended in to soften the fabric.

What We Don’t Love: The lighter colors can be slightly see-through.

When in doubt, we shop at Everlane. They never lack color, size, or style options for everyday basics. Take this Alpaca Crew, for example. With 14 color options (including some patterned) and sizes up to 3XL, the brand ensures everyone gets to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a chic wool sweater. This piece specifically has some merino wool (they are smaller fibers, and therefore softer), alpaca wool, and nylon blended together. The nylon helps to soften the fabric (as does the merino wool), so you won’t feel that itchy sensation that wool is unfortunately known for, a fact that’s confirmed by the reviews. One thing that has been noted in said reviews, however, is that some of the lighter colors (take almond for example) are a little see-through.

Material: Alpaca wool, merino wool, nylon | Size: XXS–3XL | Length: Mid

Best Merino Wool

COS Slim-Fit Merino Wool Turtleneck Top

What We Love: The wool used in this sweater is certified according to the Responsible Wool Standard.

What We Don’t Love: You can't layer much underneath it.

As a slightly softer and thinner fiber than regular wool, merino wool feels better on the skin and less scratchy. Because of its thinness, merino wool also lends itself to lighter, more delicate silhouettes, like this turtleneck top from Cos, rather than the chunkier pieces you probably initially think of with wool sweaters. We appreciate that Cos took the extra step to have their wool certified by the Responsible Wool Standard, too. Because of its finer texture and body-hugging fit, the sweater might be a bit challenging to layer shirts underneath; however, you can easily pile pieces on top, such as an extra jacket or cardigan if needed.

Material: Wool | Size: XS–L | Length: Mid

Best Crewneck

Reformation Mer Regenerative Wool Sweater

What We Love: It’s sustainably made through regenerative farming.

What We Don’t Love: There aren’t a lot of sizes offered.

Reformation isn’t just a one-stop shop for all things dresses. The sustainable and trendy brand also offers a number of ready-to-wear clothes, like this cozy wool sweater. The crewneck cut is an easy-to-style yet elevated design that everyone can benefit from. The sweater has a homey oversized fit around the sleeves, which end in some ribbed patterns, much like at the hem and neckline. And in classic Reformation fashion, the wool is sourced responsibly through regenerative farming, which considers the entire farm ecosystem, according to non-profit Woolmark Company.

While the size range they offer isn’t particularly wide, there is some wiggle room around the relaxed fit, making it easier to roam between sizes.

Material: Wool | Size: XS–XL | Length: Mid

Best Turtleneck

Verishop Anine Bing Sydney Sweater Camel

What We Love: The alpaca helps soften the wool.

What We Don’t Love: The sweater runs a little large, so sizing down might be required.

Some turtlenecks drown your face and neck in fabric — but not this sweater. The funnel turtleneck gently frames your visage, with a wide opening and a length that doesn’t fold over. I love the straight-line stitchings that make this sweater look sophisticated, and the dropped shoulders and oversized arms give it a relaxed appeal. The rest of the sweater is quite large, however – the model pictured here is five-foot-nine and wearing an extra small. It might serve you well to size down on this option. In terms of feel, Anine Bing blends alpaca wool and standard sheep’s wool here, in which the alpaca fibers help make wool yarn feel softer, and is a great option for people who are sensitive to this material.

Material: Alpaca wool, wool, polyamide, polyacrylic | Size: XS–L | Length: Long

Best Oversized

Aritzia Babaton Popova Sweater

What We Love: It’s extremely soft and warm.

What We Don’t Love: You can only hand wash this sweater.

I had the pleasure of trying out this wool sweater, thanks to the Aritzia team. Upon taking the sweater out of the box, I was happy to learn that it resembled exactly what is pictured here — long sleeves, long hem, and exaggerated dropped shoulders. I was further impressed after putting it on and noticing there is zero itch, thanks to the fact that it’s mostly made of extra-fine merino wool. I wore it during a literal snow blizzard in Mont Tremblant, Canada, and it was one of the few things that, when combined with my puffer, could keep me warm in six-degree temperatures. Needless to say, I absolutely love this sweater now — it’s soft, warm, and flattering — both in cut and color. However, I’m reluctant to wear it as often, since hand washing is a bit tedious.

Material: Extra fine merino wool, polyamide, yak | Size: 2XS–XL  | Length: Long

Best Cashmere Blend

Laligne Mini Marin Sweater

What We Love: You can add a monogram with up to three initials.

What We Don’t Love: The crop might be too short on longer torsos.

This sweater is made of 30 percent cashmere and 70 percent wool, which feels like the perfect blend for optimal comfort and warmth. On top of the makeup, the chunky knit feels extra thick and cozy thanks to its seven-ply knit. And while the long sleeves and slightly cropped hem make this sweater look very cute, it’s the ability to add a personalized monogram on the sleeve that sets it apart. That, and the fact that there are fifteen stripe color combinations to choose from, as well as length options. If you want a striped sweater, it’s unlikely you’ll find another store that offers as much variety as La Ligne.

Material: Cashmere, wool | Size: XS–XL | Length: Short

Best Cable Knit

Naadam Cashmino Two Piece Cable Set

What We Love: A blend of merino wool and cashmere makes this sweater extra soft.

What We Don’t Love: It runs a little large, so size down for a fitted look.

There is something about cable-knit patterns that simply scream cozy. But to keep things a little interesting, we’re opting for this two-piece cardigan sweater set. The first piece is a cable-knit slim-fitting tank, and the second is a relaxed bolero. Although they’re meant to be worn together, you’re pretty much getting a two-in-one deal should you wish to wear and style them separately. Stylist Sarah Toshiko West loves a good bolero set for its versatility. “You can wear the bolero off the shoulder to reveal the wool camisole underneath or tie around the neck or waist,” she says.

Each piece is made of 82 percent merino wool and 18 percent cashmere. In other words, it’s going to feel incredibly soft on the skin. The brand does warn that it has an oversized appeal to it, so if you wish for a more fitted look, size down.

Material: Merino wool, cashmere | Size: XS–XL | Length: Mid

What to Keep in Mind

• Feel: As a natural fiber commonly sourced from sheep, alpacas, goats, and even camels, wool helps insulate you better. Model Kendra Austin prefers “wool to cotton during the winter, because it’s warmer and more durable while still being of high quality." Particularly if you opt for thick wool, “it adds structure and volume, compared to cotton or cashmere,” explains Beeme. Aside from providing warmth, wool is also naturally fire-resistant and wrinkle-resistant, due to its ability to absorb moisture at its core. And yet, it sometimes comes with a bad rep for being a little itchy. The scratchy sensation that comes in certain wool sweaters is a direct result of how large the diameter of the wool strands is. Typically, this can be balanced if combined with softer materials, like cashmere or cotton. Otherwise, you want to look for labels that say extra-fine wool or merino wool, where the fibers are thinner, making them softer.
• Blends: You’ll find that most of the sweaters are rarely 100 percent wool, but rather a combination of several different materials, such as synthetic fibers — which we call wool blends — or cashmere. This should not be considered as “lesser” than pure wool – quite to the contrary. Combining different characteristics of yarns can actually create stronger materials. It also helps combat some of the itchiness that can come with pure wool. When mixed with cashmere, wool can lean on the soft properties of this fiber while still providing you with thick and warm characteristics of its own.
  

Your Questions, Answered

What is merino wool?

Merino wool comes from a specific breed of sheep, giving us thinner and thereby softer wool, which makes it more comfortable to wear directly on the skin. Its lightweight characteristics make it a great choice for summer and athletic apparel, as it works like a natural temperature regulator, absorbing and evaporating sweat when it’s hot.

Does wool shrink?

The short answer to this is yes, wool does shrink. Its natural ability to absorb moisture and heat causes it to contract, so it’s important to avoid washers and dryers unless it specifically states that it is safe to wash. “I typically turn my wool sweater inside out before washing with cold water and a mild detergent,” explains Toshiko West. “Wool is naturally antibacterial so you don’t need to wash them often,” she continues.

Luckily, if you do find yourself mistakenly throwing it in the dryer, there are some steps you can take to get your wool sweater to expand again. First, fill your sink with lukewarm water and pour a generous amount of conditioner in. Lay your wool sweater into the tub and let it soak for some time. Without rubbing or twisting, rinse the wool sweater thoroughly, then place it on a towel flat. After an hour or so, replace the towel with another dry towel, and repeat until the sweater is dry again.

How to style wool sweaters

Given its warm properties, wool makes for a wonderful layering piece in the winter. “I personally love to pair the cozy with the sexy, so I’ll go with a long satin skirt, maybe something patterned to make it funky,” recommends Austin. “A wool cardigan with a cropped graphic tank, baggy distressed jeans or cargo pants and a cool leather sneaker is also an everyday vibe,” she continues. Beeme loves “an oversized wool crewneck pullover tucked into a faux-leather mini skirt with some sheer black tights and loafers”. If you’re working with a wool turtleneck sweater, Julia Fox’s stylist Briana Andalore loves to combine it with “big silver jewelry, micro miniskirts, tights, and fun chunky boots.” Whatever look you go for, you’re guaranteed to stay warm and comfortable looking your cutest.

Why Shop With Us

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer for InStyle with two years of experience covering fashion and lifestyle products. To write this article, she consulted numerous experts, including stylist Sarah Toshiko West, Briana Andalore, Rosey Beeme, and model Kendra Austin. She also tested out some of the mentioned sweaters herself to better understand the warmth, feel, and cut.

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