Types of Sweaters: Every Style Explained With Celeb Looks

Every October I do the same thing. I pull the big plastic box of knits down from the top of my wardrobe, sit on the floor surrounded by them, and realize I own nine sweaters and somehow nothing to wear. Last year I finally counted. Four of them were basically the same grey crew neck.

So this guide is partly for you and partly an intervention for me. Sweaters come in way more shapes than most of us actually buy, and each one does something a little different for an outfit.

Here are the main types of sweaters, the celebrities who’ve made some of them famous, and how I’d wear each one.

The Main Types of Sweaters

Crew Neck

The classic. A round neckline that sits close to the base of your throat, usually in a regular, straight fit. If you own one sweater, it’s probably this.

My favorite crew neck story belongs to Princess Diana. In 1981 she wore a bright red sweater covered in little white sheep, with one black sheep in the middle, and people still argue about whether it was a joke. It was so loved that the design was reissued decades later and sold out.

Wear it over a collared shirt for a preppy look, or tuck the front into jeans and you’re done.

V-Neck

Same idea, but the neckline dips into a V. It’s a little more grown-up and works well if you want to show a necklace or layer a cami underneath. A slim cashmere V-neck with a pencil skirt is one of those outfits that never looks dated.

Turtleneck

A tall collar that folds over and covers your whole neck. Audrey Hepburn made the black turtleneck legendary in Funny Face in 1957, dancing in a smoky Paris club in head-to-toe black, and every art student since has owned one.

Thin turtlenecks are great for layering under blazers and slip dresses. Chunky ones are basically a scarf and sweater in one.

Mock Neck

The turtleneck’s more relaxed cousin. The collar stands up a couple of inches but doesn’t fold over. It’s sleek without feeling like it’s choking you, which is why I reach for it more than a real turtleneck.

Cardigan

A sweater that opens down the front with buttons, or sometimes just hangs open. Cardigans can be cropped and cute, long and cozy, or neat and preppy.

Two famous ones come to mind. Kurt Cobain’s scruffy olive mohair cardigan from his 1993 MTV Unplugged performance later sold at auction for over $300,000, which is a lot of money for something with cigarette burns. And then there’s Taylor Swift, who turned a cream cable cardigan into a whole personality with her Folklore album in 2020.

Wear a cropped cardigan buttoned up as a top, or throw a long one over a slip dress.

Cable Knit

This is about the stitch, not the shape. Cable knits have those twisted, rope-like patterns running down the front, and they look instantly warm. The traditional fisherman version, known as an Aran sweater, comes from the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland.

A cream cable knit with jeans and boots is pretty much my fall uniform.

Chunky and Oversized Sweaters

Big, thick, slouchy knits that hang off you in the best way. Off-duty models basically live in these over leggings or bike shorts with a pair of sneakers. The trick is balance. If the sweater is huge, keep the bottom half slim.

Cropped Sweater

Ends at or above the waist. Cropped sweaters look great with high-waisted jeans and skirts, because they show off your waist instead of swallowing it. If you love pairing knits with something silky, our guide to types of skirts has a whole section on wearing a satin slip skirt with a sweater.

Sweater Vest

No sleeves, just the body of the sweater. For years these were something your geography teacher wore. Then around 2020 they came roaring back, worn over crisp white shirts or even on their own with nothing underneath. Argyle versions feel especially fun.

Polo Sweater

A knit with a polo-style collar and a few buttons at the neck. It’s very “quiet luxury,” the kind of thing that looks expensive even when it isn’t. A fine-knit polo in navy or cream with tailored trousers is a great outfit for work.

Off-the-Shoulder Sweater

A wide neckline that slides off one or both shoulders. Very romantic, very ’80s Flashdance, and a nice change if you want something cozy that still feels a bit flirty.

Twinset

A matching knit shell or short-sleeved top worn with a cardigan in the same color. It was huge in the 1950s and has a ladylike, slightly vintage feel. Add pearls and you’re fully in Grace Kelly territory.

Christmas Sweater

Reindeer, snowflakes, sequined Santas. We all know Mark Darcy’s reindeer jumper from Bridget Jones’s Diary, and honestly it’s the reason I think a novelty sweater can be charming instead of embarrassing. Once a year, it’s allowed.

Sweater Fabrics, Quickly

Wool is warm and lasts forever but can be itchy if it’s cheap. Merino is a finer, softer wool that you can wear right against your skin. Cashmere is the soft, light, expensive one, worth it if you look after it. Cotton knits are great for spring because they breathe. Mohair is the fuzzy, slightly hairy one that looks amazing in pastels.

And acrylic? It’s cheap and easy to wash, but it pills fast and doesn’t keep you as warm. I learned that the hard way with a very sad pink sweater.

How to Style Sweaters

A half tuck, where you just tuck the front into your waistband, makes almost any sweater look more put together. Try it in a mirror once and you’ll never go back.

Layering a collar underneath is an easy upgrade too. A white shirt under a crew neck or a sweater vest instantly looks smart. Our guide to types of tops covers the button-down shirts and fitted tees that work best underneath.

For something dressier, mix textures. A soft knit with a satin skirt, leather trousers or a sharp blazer always looks intentional.

How to Care for Your Sweaters

Fold them, don’t hang them. Hangers stretch out the shoulders and leave those little bumps.

Wash less than you think, and use cold water with a gentle wool wash when you do. Lay them flat to dry. The tumble dryer is how a size medium turns into something your niece can wear.

And get a sweater comb or a fabric shaver. Five minutes de-pilling can make an old knit look new again.

Final Thoughts

Sweaters are one of those things we buy without thinking, but knowing the different types makes getting dressed a lot easier. A cropped cardigan does something completely different from a chunky cable knit, and both deserve a spot in your wardrobe.

As for my four grey crew necks, I’ve given two away. Progress.