The Coolest Sweaters Right Now Are Cotton

Best men's cotton sweaters

The Coolest Sweaters Right Now Are Cotton

Breathable, lightweight layers for in-between seasons

Like it or not, winter will soon be winding down. But don't think you're done with cold weather just yet. There's plenty of chilly mornings, windy days and frigid evenings to ensure you'll want to layer up properly. But, right now, you'll want to swap out the heavy wool sweaters for something a bit lighter and a little more breathable. We're talking about good, old fashioned cotton.

Cotton sweaters are an underrated wardrobe workhorse that allows you to layer up and insulate from the elements without overheating. Plus, they've got a noticeably different look from the standard fuzzy wool knits we've been wearing the past few months. It's a nice refresh as we enter into that traditional time between seasons. But you'll want to pull the right kind of cotton sweater.

In 2025, the sweaters we're eyeing have a vintage, throwback feel. They're knit from a thicker yarn that's dense yet soft. The fit is slightly boxy and relaxed and maybe a little cropped to pair nicely with everything from wide-leg trousers at work to your go-to sweats on the weekend. We've found some of the best at old school heritage brands and even from the women's section of our favorite retailers. So take a look below and see which style speaks to you. Then get ready to wear the hell out of that sweater because it's going to be your favorite piece until summer hits.

Advertisement

Best Cotton Sweaters
for Men’s
in 2025

J.Crew Heritage crewneck sweater

Heritage crewneck sweater,
$89.50 / $49.50 by J.Crew

Zara Basic knit sweater

This is from the women's collection and has a cropped fit and perfectly slouchy shoulders.

Basic knit sweater,
$49.90 by Zara

L.L.Bean Textured cotton washed sweater

Textured cotton
washed sweater,
$59.95 by L.L.Bean

Buck Mason Seafarer rib crewneck sweater

Seafarer rib crewneck sweater,
$168 by Buck Mason

Advertisement

A lightweight layer knit from slubbed cotton yarn into a waffle pattern for added texture.

Waffle-knit sweater,
$118 by Madewell

Alex Mill Gabriel cotton linen sweater

Gabriel cotton linen sweater,
$174 by Alex Mill

NN07 Cotton rib sweater

Cotton rib sweater,
$195 by NN07

UNIQLO 3D knit cotton sweater

3D knit cotton sweater,
$49.90 by UNIQLO

Advertisement

Made from soft cotton and knitted in an open stitch with ribbed edges for structure.

Cotton sweater,
$220 by Folk

Everlane Classic everyday sweater

Classic everyday sweater,
$98 / $49 by Everlane

Gap Relaxed washed sweater

Acid-washed for a well-worn vintage look (and also from the women's collection).

Relaxed washed sweater,
$89.95 by Gap

Acid-washed for a well-worn vintage look (and also from the women's collection).

Sweater drying illustration

Maintenance

To wash a cotton sweater, turn it inside out, use a mild detergent, and wash in cold water on a delicate cycle in your washing machine—avoid hot water which can cause shrinkage. Then lay the sweater flat to air dry.

Want More Style?

Sign up for The Obtainer newsletter. Three times a week you'll get insider intel on what to buy, trusted recommendations and reviews, along with the best deals worth your time and money.

More on
Style

Advertisement