Our edit of the best jumpers, vests, and cardigans is a lovingly-compiled list of prime layering pieces, proving that just because the British weather can be unpredictable, the quality of your outfits can still be reliably strong
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The best men's knitwear really is versatile: from fine knit crew necks on balmier days to cashmere knit vests for smart layering, mohair cardigans for versatile dressing to thick Fair Isle for the most frigid of climates, this is a very rich category indeed, and one your wardrobe will benefit from mining.
If you’re the trend-following type, keep a look out for shrunken shapes, sleeveless designs (in both cardigan and tank top iterations) and slouchy finishes as you scroll. For the more classic among you, you’ll be hard-pressed to make a mistake in a simple, impeccably made crew neck — or a patterned cardigan if you want to push the boat out (but not too far). Adventurous or not, everyone’s men’s knitwear wish list should also contain a half or quarter zip, a turtleneck and a cable knit.
SKIP TO: The list | What are GQ's picks of the best men's knitwear? | What type of knitwear is in style for men in 2024? | How should men style knitwear in 2024? | What is the best fabric for knitwear? | How do we select our favourite knitwear?
Best cardigans | Best sweater vests | Best cashmere jumpers | Best roll-neck jumpers | Best sweatshirts | Best hoodies
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Crafted from an impeccably soft Merino wool, Reiss' latest addition to its knitwear department is the kind of piece you'll pull out of your wardrobe every autumnal season. Shaped to a polo style through its buttoned neckline and slim collar, its construction is enhanced with a subtle stretch for maximum comfort upon wear. Simple, stylish and falling under the £100 budget bracket, it's a failsafe addition to your basket.
Spun in the Scottish hills using yarn from one of the world's oldest spinners, this Sunspel jumper has been left next-level soft thanks to its tightly woven construction. Once knitted, this jumper is soaked in Scottish spring water in all its melange-effect glory, sealing in its delicate texture. When it comes to styling, we suggest either indigo-hued denim or neutral-toned chinos.
Merino wool and rich boucle? Where do we sign? No one does affordable luxury and quality like M&S, and this jumper exemplifies just that. Keep the rest of your 'fit simple (think plain chinos or selvedge denim) to let it do its thing.
The jumper that launched a thousand gifting odysseys, Uniqlo’s cashmere crew neck is near impossible to beat for those seeking a luxurious light gauge knit for their wardrobe (or their dad’s). Coming in 22 different colours, you’ve got more choice than on your average cereal aisle, and once you finally decide, you’ll only have to part with a shade under £90.
Pledge your allegiance to the flag of Ralph Lauren. An icon among the brand's collections, this jumper is a key piece of RL iconography, ready to be worn with pride. Just add denim, and you're good to go.
Percival's wares may be prone to selling out, but at least it always replaces them with products of equal covetability. If you missed out on its last drop then get in on this: a mohair cardigan in a flattering boxy fit with patch pockets and branded embroidery.
It may not be pint in the garden weather any longer, but colder months have their benefits, not least the ability to get back into cosy knitwear (also known, on the internet, as “really dressing”). Allow us to suggest something in Barbie pink for your cashmere collection: it'll raise your spirits on damp mornings when spring feels very far off.
Calling all fashion collaboration lovers – Adidas and Wales Bonner have the perfect jumper for you. Designed from a lightweight knit texture, this chocolate brown style is decorated with contrasting stripes around its crew neck for a touch of athletic appeal and stamped with the Bonner logo at the right side of the chest. Guaranteed to put you in good fashion standing, we suggest adding it to your basket before it's too late.
With Brat summer all wrapped up, Joker: Folie à Deux autumn (AKA unhinged boy fall) is here. No flies on AllSaints, which has taken some very literal cues with its “Joker” argyle in an alpaca and wool blend that's fluffy enough to make you seem more cuddly than crazy.
A knitwear staple as essential to a modern wardrobe as a white T-shirt or a pair of blue jeans, a knitted vest is the easiest autumn/winter building block for making it look like you put in more effort with your outfit than you actually did. This one by Massimo Dutti is in a long-lasting, touchably soft cashmere.
A signature design from Ralph Lauren's Polo range, this midnight blue cardigan is the kind of style Steve McQueen would approve of. Strikingly reminiscent of the actor's famed wardrobe in The Cincinnati Kid, it's structured with a dapper shawl collar, knitted with a series of cable panels across its long-sleeved body and washed during production to achieve a more aged appearance.
With wool sourced from Donegal, Toast's annual knitwear collection always catches our eye. This year, its thoroughly traditional high neck, rib trim sweater comes in charming flecked blue, green or red. Choose your colours and wear them with pride (and denim).
Designed with classic style and comfort in mind, Officine Générale's brand new ‘Brennan’ cardigan is brought to life through the jacquard-knitted checkerboard which runs across the centre of its body. Characterised by tonal green and grey squares with rows of cables between, its core detail nods to the knitwear codes of the 1960s and keeps things prim and proper through the nifty collar and concealed button placket. Oh-so chic.
High street retailer Marks & Spencer has long been a faithful source for quality menswear staples at a less intimidating price, and a fine case in point is this classic crew neck jumper. Offered in an impressive series of shades – including grey, red, light green and camel – it's cut from pure cashmere and is fitted with ribbed trims for a snug finish. A hallmark piece of knitwear.
Every stylish man who's ever visited a chilly seaside town has packed a fisherman's jumper to dress in while there... probably. The traditional knit can also be spotted in other non-nautical scenarios: Elvis in Jailhouse Rock, for example, or Chris Evans' imperious Knives Out 'fit. In other words, a cream wool example like this by Paul James goes just about everywhere.
The ultimate trans-seasonal piece, Percival's latest crew neck jumper is ready to see you through changing forecasts in style. Clad in a rich brick red shade (a perfect way to pop some saturation into the upper half of your attire), it's crafted from a heavyweight organic cotton, stitched with chunky knit ribbing and embroidered with logo branding on the sleeve. If a good chunk of your wardrobe falls into the Ivy League style category, this is a much needed addition.
Crafted from a chunky beige wool, Etro's latest addition to its knitwear department is the definition of longlasting luxury. In a nod to the Milanese brand's love of classic patterned motifs, its centre is stitched with a bold cable feature, broadly rising to structure its V-neck collar with an elegant, shawl-like effect. Complete with ribbing across the hem and cuffs, it's guaranteed to bring some depth to your style game this season.
Claret is, in many ways, the hue of wintertime. It's the colour of mulled wine, wool throws in country manors and our favourite colour among Hawes & Curtis' new roll necks (just behind the royal blue). Lightly woven from merino wool (that's machine washable!), it's been inspired by the suavest mods of old with ribbed accents and subtle texturing.
It may not be warm enough to wear this cotton and linen blend tank top on its own until next spring, but for the winter sun wardrobe — or as a layer underneath a big coat and atop a T-shirt — it still qualifies as a sensible purchase in our books.
Our go-to destination for quality knitwear at the most budget-friendly price, Uniqlo's latest unisex cardigan is as good for everyday excursions as it is for lounging days at home. Made from a 19.5 microns lambswool (carefully selected for its warm and fluffy qualities), it's shaped to a relaxed fit – therefore perfect for layering – and is fitted with two functioning pockets above the hem. An easy and affordable win.
Pull off a wardrobe royal flush with this Ami Paris pick, which distils everything we love about the French brand’s best sellers into one: it’s high-quality, it’s timeless, and it perfectly balances subtlety with a touch of streetwear brashness. Wear with slacks and Converse.
Looking to serve a dose of abstract style this summer? Cos has got you covered – specifically via this white short-sleeved shirt. Jacquard-knitted with a painterly argyle print down the body, it has been made from a breathable blend of cotton and tencel lyocell, topped with an effortless resort collar and fastened with a set of black buttons to match its core motif. Artistically designed and effortlessly stylish, it's a straight-up seasonal win.
As one of the most acclaimed sources for premium Italian knitwear, Massimo Alba is a failsafe source for a lightweight summer layer. Our top pick from the current collection? This sand-coloured cardigan. Knitted in Italy from a cotton and linen blend, it's shaped with dropped shoulder seams and a relaxed fit to grant the most comfortable and nonchalant impression. Talk about timelessness.
You can't go wrong with a well-crafted black cardigan, especially when it caters to the warmer seasons. We're specifically referencing Mr Porter's latest in-house design here: stitched from an open-knit cotton for pure breathability and finished with natural corozo buttons. Impressively made using 50 per cent lower-impact materials, it's ethical and stylish all at once.
We can’t talk about the best men’s knitwear without bringing up Gucci. This crew neck jumper is made in Italy from a luxury soft wool and is stitched with an eye-catching logo intarsia across the entirety of its body. Shaped to a relaxed frame and detailed with elasticated ribbed trims for a sealed fit at the edge, it’s a little on the expensive side, but considering it's Gucci, we'd say it's worth it.
Spring dressing is all about layering, and to do this well, you’re going to need more than one good cardigan. Just like your best crew neck but with the ease of a row of buttons, a hearty cardigan is the ultimate trans-seasonal essential – and this pick from Gucci is a current standout for serious style. Knitted in Italy from luxury wool, it’s emblazoned with the house’s acclaimed GG-jacquard motif, promising to inject a touch of high fashion pizazz to an otherwise practical ensemble.
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Should you find yourself perusing the trends of SS24, you might find that vests (knitted and otherwise) remain big on the runways, but that doesn’t mean that a good ol’ knit jumper and even the odd knit T-shirt or polo will go amiss. The truth is, that no matter the neckline or silhouette, a good knit or two is sure to make for valid and worthy new arrivals to your summer wardrobe. Whether you’re layering under the jacket, blazer, or letting it stand solo, hearty knitwear can speak for itself, no matter the location or occasion.
Well, dear reader, in truth it depends on the piece in question. Although we'd say that as a blanket rule, you can't go wrong when contrasting a knitted texture with some rich blue denim or pleated tailored trousers.
Seeking the double threat of durability and beauty? There are a few buzzwords to look out for before you head to checkout. First, we recommend prioritising luxury natural materials such as cashmere and cotton for knitwear you'll be feeling on your skin: that's things such as fine gauge polos and crew neck pullovers for layering. For thicker, warmer pieces that you’ll be wearing on top of a long-sleeve henley or turtleneck — and perhaps even under a coat — more sturdy animal fibres are preferable. Think merino or lambswool for cable knits and Fair Isles, and alpaca and mohair for zip sweaters and oversized numbers.
To choose what constitutes the best men's knitwear we come with experience, we do extra research and we're always on a mission to surround ourselves with as many jumpers and cardis as possible.
knitted ladies tops Having been obsessed with clothes her entire life, our section head of menswear for GQ Recommends Heidi Quill spends a healthy amount of time up to her neck in samples, and having joined British GQ in 2021, has had plenty of time to assess what separates a fabulous Fair Isle from a rubbish one. Along with our team of contributing writers and freelancers (Jessie Atkinson, Faye Fearon and Adam Cheung), Heidi stays on the hunt for subtleties in cut and fit, recommending from labels she's seen or worn in person, or else that have excellent customer reviews.