This Is Why You Hate Your Sweaters
It’s a big problem this time of year. But we think we have the solution.
Image: The Devil Wears Prada | 20th Century Studios
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by The Candidly Team
We have an overwhelming number of outfits pinned on Pinterest that all center on a luxe, gorgeous sweater. Everything else about them is simplicity itself. We already own the jeans and the boots and the coat and the bag.
But that sweater.
Why are none of our sweaters like this?
We’ll tell you why. Almost all of our sweaters have at least one of the following red flags:
They're itchy. This defeats the whole purpose of a sweater, and yet 82% of them make us outright suffer.
They’re raggedy and pilled. As defeating as a coffee stain on the chest of a white tee.
They’re shapeless and unflattering. So we look wider. Wheee!
They’ve lost their softness. And somehow, it shows.
The good ones are way too expensive. Oh, you found that dream sweater that actually passes all the aforementioned tests? Splendid! That will be $585.
We won’t belabor the point. A beautiful, lifetime sweater is simply hard to find. But they are still our absolute favorite thing to wear any chilly day of the year. A good one hits that sweet spot between making us feel our most comfortable and look our most chic … and elevated …. and quiet luxury.
We’ve been testing sweaters with scientific precision for years, and well, let’s just say we finally have a list of favorites that feels worthy of sharing.
And here they are:
Image: There’s Something About Mary | 20th Century Studios
THE CARDIS
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan Sweater
We wrote an article about Quince’s ribbed cardi when we first tried it, because it is as creamy and cashmere-y and oversized as that famous $500 sweater but is a fraction of the price. They’ve since come out with this “cropped” version which as you can see isn’t all that cropped but is jusssst short enough to look very chic over jeans.
* Gifted
That said, we wear the long version* at home practically daily in the fall/ winter. The color selection is so beautiful we own it in ivory, charcoal, and oatmeal, but we currently can’t get brown out of our mind.
Price: $120
Modern Citizen Eames Organic Cotton-Wool Cardigan
This one also reminds us of a very famous, stunning sweater by Khaite* that costs nearly $2,000! The shape is just incredible, nipping the waist and framing the arms with that bell sleeve. This sweater in any color (and there are MANY we desperately want) over jeans is kind of a $2,000 look all by itself. Be warned though, it sells out or is waitlisted all the time. And let us tell you, the proeorder is worth it! Your future self will thank you.
Price: $175
Image: Friends | NBC
2. THE CREWNECKS
Aritzia Wilfred Sonder Sweater
It’s hard to describe in words the comfort of this sweater, though we did attempt this in an article we wrote entirely about it HERE. The softness is almost spongey, the quality is to die. We immediately bought it multiple colors, which in retrospect was very smart, because it sells out constantly, but it also restocks continually, so if they happen to have your size in a color you like, pounce. We say with confidence that it could be the best pullover sweater we’ve ever owned.
Price: $118
Naadam The Original Cashmere Sweater Women's
Then again, there I absolutely nothing wrong with a buttery soft cashmere pullover that costs less than $100. This is one of Naadam’s trademarks. And it comes in every color you could possibly want.
Price: $98
Image: Flashdance | Paramount Pictures
3. THE BOATNECKS
SoftSpoke™ Rhoda Sweater
Oh, look another sublime sweater from Aritzia, but this time in an alternately boatneck or off-shoulder neckline that positively smolders. We wear it over silk slip skirts and denim maxi skirts for going out, with jeans on weekends, and with any work pants to the office.
Price: $118
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Boatneck Sweater
And, of course, we have to show you our favorite cashmere version, once again from Quince. We could throw a bunch of descriptors at you or we could show you how we’re likely wearing it at this very moment. The way it feels on your skin will make you want to reach for it every single day.
Price: $80
Image: Nobody Wants This | Netflix
4. THE POLOS
7. Rails Athena Sweater
Is this the exact polo we saw Morgan wear in Nobody Wants This? Yes, it is. The outfit ideas in that show are honestly a dream for 35+ women. This is the kind of sweater that’s worth spending a little more in because it creates an outfit all by itself. And we’ll wear it so much the cost per wear will be pennies very quickly.
Price: $268
By Anthropologie Denim-Collar Polo Sweater
We can’t get over the denim color on this already cute ribbed sweater. It’c clever little details like this that still make us Anthropologie loyalists.
Price: $118
Image: When Harry Met Sally | Castle Rock Entertainment
5. THE TURTLES
Quince Baby Alpaca-Wool Turtleneck
Why is it so hard to find that one cocooning turtleneck we lust after in films. Whether it’s on Audrey Hepburn skiing down a Swiss Alp or Diane Keaton as she prepares a summer salad in her Hampton beach retreat, we crave that sweater. And alas, we have found it. Yesssss, it’s at Quince again. We promise we’re not sponsored. They just make incredible sweaters we can actually afford.
Price: $70
Banana Republic Oversized Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
What a perfect shaped cashmere turtleneck. I mean we should really think of something more clever to say about it, but that’s already saying a lot. It’s really hard to find this shape, and though it comes in many colors, we want the red so we can recreate two of Sally Albright’s fall looks of our dreams. One is the short skirt and tights, the other is the brown blazer and jeans. We’re excited! Can you tell?
Price: $250
Image: Only Murders in the Building | Hulu
6. THE WILDCARDS
Pilcro Cashmere Blend Polo Sweater Tank
In case you’re like us and want to wear your sweaters as tops, here is the top we’re living in at this moment. The softness is unreal, and the fit is so flattering. Plus, this color matches e-v-e-r-y-t-h-I-n-g.
Price: $138
Nation Carmela Cardigan
The 70s vibe of this sweater just brings us pure joy. It’s our going-out sweater we wear with black jeans and boots and never get more compliments. Sidenote: it’s amazing on a thicker arm.
Use the code CANDIDLY20 to take 20% off.
Price: $348
Sézane Auguste Jacket
The sweater we wear as our prettiest jacket. It comes in far too many color combinations we keep adding to cart. The French brand Sézane happens to make unique, standalone knits that could be an article unto themselves. Hmmm … perhaps next time.
Price: $235
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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