47+ Different Types of Sweaters Explained

Download Article

Learn all about sweaters, from classic quarter-zips to modern cutouts

Explore this Article

IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Wool

2 Cashmere

3 Cotton

4 Silk

5 Acrylic

6 Blended Fiber

7 Specialty Fiber

8 Cardigan

9 Fisherman Sweater

10 Hand-Knit

11 Merino Wool

12 Hoodie

13 Turtleneck Sweater

14 Mock Turtleneck Sweater

15 Roll-Neck

16 Funnel-Neck

17 Cowl-Neck

18 Boyfriend Sweater

19 Argyle

20 Bell Sleeve

21 Crew-Neck

22 V-Neck

23 Fanny Sweater

24 Jumper

25 Off-the-Shoulder

26 Scoop Neck

27 Shawl Neck

28 Fair Isle Sweater

29 Twinset

30 Tunic

31 Open Knit

32 Cape Sweater

33 Full-Zip

34 Half-Zip

35 Quarter-Zip

36 Pull-Over

37 Poncho

38 Oversized/Sleep Sweater

39 Sweater Vest

40 Sweater Dress

41 Cable Knits

42 Raglan

43 Ribbed Sweater

44 Tennis Sweater

45 Cutout Sweater

46 Wooly Pully

47 Chunky Sweater

+ Show 44 more...

- Show less...

Other Sections

Related Articles

References

Co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and Eric McClure

Last Updated: November 12, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

While dresses, tops, and bottoms tend to get all of the applause, the sweater is really the unsung hero of the wardrobe. Here, we’ll break down all of the different types of sweaters (including notes on when to wear them) so that you can fill out your wardrobe without missing a beat. We even met with stylists, knitting experts, and more to ensure we’re giving you the best tips on how to style and care for your sweaters.

Different Types of Sweaters

The most iconic sweater styles include:

• Wool sweaters
• Cashmere sweaters
• Cardigans
• Fisherman sweaters
• Fair Isle sweaters
• Ponchos
• Turtleneck sweaters
• Cape sweaters
• Tunics
• Raglans

Steps

1

Wool

Download Article

1. 
   Wool is probably the most iconic and treasured material for sweaters. Wool is harvested from sheep and comes in a variety of different qualities, textures, and thicknesses. It’s a popular option for sweaters because it’s breathable but still traps heat, which makes it perfect for sweater weather. It also doesn’t absorb odor very well and it’s good at fighting moisture, so it tends to retain its shape and quality well.

   • Wool can be a bit of a pain. It often needs to be hand-washed, and you can’t ever put it in a dryer.
   • Wool is awesome for all cozy garments. Crochet expert Erin Toews says that wool is perfect for “sweaters, hats, blankets,” and anything else you’d want to help keep you warm.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Erin Toews is a crochet expert and owner of Juniper and Oakes, an online crochet shop and educational site.

   Kathi Burns, CPO® is an organizational expert and fashion stylist whose work has been featured in Better Home and Gardens.

   Paul Julch, MA is a personal wardrobe stylist with over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry.

   Jen Webber is a knitting specialist and the manager of The Quarter Stitch, a craft store in New Orleans.

   Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a personal styling business based out of Seattle.
Advertisement

2

Cashmere

Download Article

1. Wool comes from sheep and cashmere comes from goats (the cashmere goat’s undercoat, to be specific). Cashmere tends to be on the expensive side because it only comes from one breed of goat and the production process is a bit of a nightmare, but it is universally beloved for being super soft, warm, and luxurious. It’s considered one of the comfiest materials for clothing for a reason—cashmere sweaters are just so soft.

   • Take care of your cashmere! Fashion stylist Kathi Burns, CPO® says, “You either dry clean or you handwash, but you don't do both. So if you handwash, you can't take it to the dry cleaner. If you dry clean, you can't handwash it because the chemicals react with each other in cashmere.”

3

Cotton

Download Article

1. 
   If you stop by any department store and find their cheapest sweaters, they’re probably made with at least 50% cotton. Cotton is cheap and easy to produce, but that doesn’t mean the sweaters aren’t nice. Cotton is naturally breathable, soft, and resilient (which makes it relatively easy to care for). It’s also very lightweight and easy to care for, making it an ideal option for sweaters.

   • Cotton is best for warmer weather. Personal wardrobe stylist & speaker Paul Julch, MA explains that you probably want to stick with cotton or cotton blends when it’s hot out, since thicker materials will be too good at trapping heat.
Advertisement

4

Silk

Download Article

1. 100% silk is a pretty uncommon option for sweaters since it’s a little bit too good at trapping heat and a thick silk sweater will have you sweating your booty off in no time. However, any sweater that is blended with silk will be warmer, softer, and more durable than other options.

   • The 100% silk (or blended silk) sweaters you do find will typically feel more like long-sleeve shirts than traditional sweaters.

5

Acrylic

Download Article

1. 
   Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that (usually) aims to emulate wool or fur. It’s cheap, easy to make, and tends to be soft and lightweight. It’s also easy to care for, which makes it a popular option.
Advertisement

6

Blended Fiber

Download Article

1. Blended fiber sweaters refer to any sweater where there are two or more fibers used. A tag may say something like “blended cotton/acrylic,” for example, to indicate that it’s a combination of those two materials.

   • Blending fibers makes it possible for clothing manufacturers to adjust and modify the texture, care requirements, and costs of different products. There’s absolutely nothing wrong or “low quality” about buying blended fabrics!

7

Specialty Fiber

Download Article

1. 
   The following fibers aren’t particularly common for sweaters, but you can find them. They have unique pros and cons, and they often have cult followings when it comes to buyers and stylists of these garments. Options include:

   • Alpaca sweaters: Alpaca is inexpensive, comfortable, and hypoallergenic, but it can be a little bit of a pain to take care of. Alpaca sweaters are also known to “shed” over time.
   • Angora sweaters: Angora wool comes from Angora rabbits. It’s extremely soft, but not particularly durable. It’s also kind of controversial for how it’s made—it appears to be very difficult to shear Angora rabbits without harming them.
   • Mohair sweaters: Mohair is produced from Angoran goats. It’s soft, resilient, and has a highly reflective quality people tend to like. It’s a little on the pricier side, though.
   • Vicuña sweaters: Considered the finest wool on the planet, vicuña is made from South American camels. It’s the most expensive natural fiber on the market. It’s extremely soft, luxurious, and vibrant.
Advertisement

8

Cardigan

Download Article

1. A sweater so iconic that we don’t even need to include the word “sweater” in its name, cardigans refer to sweaters with an opening in the front. They can often be closed with zippers or buttons, but most cardigans are meant to hang open and don’t close at all. They come in a variety of designs, styles, and lengths, but they require the opening in the front to qualify as a cardigan.

   • Cardigans are typically worn when the weather calls for a light jacket. They’re not the best sweaters if your primary goal is warmth, since they have a large opening and they tend to be made of thinner materials.
   • Fun fact: Cardigans are based on the waistcoats worn by British military officers in the 1800s. Their connection to admiralty is why we view them as “higher-end” garments today.

9

Fisherman Sweater

Download Article

1. 
   Fisherman sweaters generally refer to monocolored sweaters with the iconic, cross-woven “fisherman” pattern. They’re also extremely warm and flexible, so they’re ideal for people working outdoors who still want to look stylish. Fisherman sweaters are often made out of Aran wool, which is wool sourced from Aran Island, in Ireland. In fact, fisherman sweaters are often called Aran sweaters because the Island invented the iconic fisherman sweater pattern, but they can be made anywhere these days.
Advertisement

10

Hand-Knit

Download Article

1. Hand-knit sweaters are made, and as you can probably guess, by hand. They tend to be more durable and elegant than machine-made sweaters, although this does mean they often cost a little bit more. Stylistically, hand-knit sweaters tend to be a bit bulkier and usually have elaborate patterns.

   • Never dry hand-knit sweaters. Knitting specialist Jen Webber says, “I wouldn't put anything knit into a mechanical dryer just because it's a handmade item, and dryers can be so hard on the materials. It can make knots come undone. So I would just lay everything flat to dry if you can.”

11

Merino Wool

Download Article

1. 
   Merino wool is sourced from Merino sheep, which are native to Spain and Portugal (although today you can find Merino sheep all over the world). It’s a very soft and luxurious material that is less likely to make you itchy than regular wool. It’s also a very thin material, where normal wool tends to be a bit on the bulky side.

   • Merino wool is perfect if you sweat a lot. Julch says that in colder weather, Merino wool is basically the thickest you’ll want to go. It’s perfect for winter, but anything thicker than that will have you sweating like crazy if you run hot.
Advertisement

12

Hoodie

Download Article

1. A hoodie, short for “hooded sweatshirt,” is a sweater with a hood! They’re ideal for athletic activities, running errands, leisure time, casual outings, and other laid-back events. We wouldn’t recommend wearing one to a gala or job interview, though.

   • Fun fact: The first hoodie recorded in history can be traced all the way back to an Assyrian text published in the 13th century!

13

Turtleneck Sweater

Download Article

1. 
   Turtlenecks are defined by their high neck, which goes all the way up to the base of the chin. They come in a variety of different styles and materials, so they range from highly formal to extremely casual.

   • Anyone can wear turtlenecks, but they tend to look best on people with narrow faces, tall builds, or long necks.
   • Turtlenecks are great for layering sweaters. Professional stylist Susan Kim explains, “Layering a crewneck sweater with mock necks/turtlenecks, and contrasting color crewnecks is always fun.”
Advertisement

14

Mock Turtleneck Sweater

Download Article

1. Mock turtlenecks have extended collars that cover roughly 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of the neck, but don’t extend up to the jaw or chin. They’re probably more popular than traditional turtlenecks these days because they’re stylish and slimming without appearing bulky or over-the-top.

   • Thicker mock turtlenecks are also great if you’re going outside and need to stay warm, but traditional turtlenecks irritate your neck.

15

Roll-Neck

Download Article

1. 
   The roll-neck sweater resembles a mock-turtleneck but with one major difference: the collar is thick and rolls over itself to create a more top-heavy look. They’re classy sweaters that sort of draw attention to your face, making them ideal for things like job interviews or first dates over a candlelight dinner.
Advertisement

16

Funnel-Neck

Download Article

1. Funnel-necks look a lot like mock turtlenecks except the neck of these sweaters have a distinctive funnel shape. It creates the impression that the collar is able to be flipped or rolled over into a roll-neck style sweater, but without the looseness.

17

Cowl-Neck

Download Article

1. 
   Cowl-neck sweaters are like turtlenecks on steroids. They have giant, bulky collars that are typically loose and thick. So thick, in fact, that you may even be able to wrap the collar around the top of your head. These sweaters have a giant, draped quality that really emphasizes the “comfiness” of your fit.
Advertisement

18

Boyfriend Sweater

Download Article

1. Boyfriend sweaters refer to a broad category of sweaters that are defined mainly by one thing: their size. Boyfriend sweaters must be oversized and baggy enough to look like you may have borrowed them from a larger “boyfriend.” They’re really in style right now, especially when paired with skinny jeans or when layered over a dress.

19

Argyle

Download Article

1. 
   Argyle sweaters are defined by their pattern: a series of interlocking diamonds. The design was popularized in the Scottish district of Argyll, ergo the name. They’re associated with preppier looks, although they can be styled up or down to be as luxurious or casual as you’d like.

   • Most argyle sweaters are cotton or acrylic, so they tend to be thinner than a lot of other sweaters.
Advertisement

20

Bell Sleeve

Download Article

1. Bell sleeve sweaters have thicker sleeves that flare out close to the wrists, giving them a kind of blouse-y, flowy look. They were popular in Medieval Europe and Feudal Japan, giving them a kind of aristocratic vibe, but they’re having a bit of a moment right now, fashion-wise. They’re a fun, avant-garde option if you’re trying to make a statement.

21

Crew-Neck

Download Article

1. 
   Crew-neck sweaters, like crew-neck T-shirts, are defined by their collar. Crew necks have uniform, circular collars that sit comfortably around the neck. The rounded collar helps insulate the top of the chest and the back to keep you warm without hugging your neck too tightly. They come in all kinds of different styles and materials.
Advertisement

22

V-Neck

Download Article

1. V-necks are also defined by their collar. They have distinctive V-shaped cuts in the front of the collar so that you can see a small part of the chest. V-necks are a great option if you plan on wearing a collared shirt underneath your sweater because the collar will have plenty of room to flare out, and you can unbutton the top buttons without ruining your look.

23

Fanny Sweater

Download Article

1. 
   Fanny sweaters are named after the part of the body they cover—the booty. These sweaters extend past the hips to cover your backside. They’re surprisingly versatile style-wise, as you can sort of wear them like dresses with the right leggings or bottoms. They’re also very comfortable, and you can fold them over your legs if you’re sitting around a campfire on a cool night!

   • Pick fanny sweaters based on your height. Julch recommends that "if you're tall, you can carry off the really long sweaters. But if you're petite, you might want to stick with something that's no longer than hip-length because it can overwhelm your figure."
Advertisement

24

Jumper

Download Article

1. Everywhere but the US, a “jumper” is a casual sweater that can be short- or long-sleeved. They’re simple, typically cheap, and rarely handmade. They’re sort of the T-shirt of sweaters, if that makes sense.

   • In the US, a “jumper” is a full-body dress or body-suit. Jumpers are single pieces of clothing that cover each limb or cover the shoulders and extend into a dress.

25

Off-the-Shoulder

Download Article

1. 
   Most closely associated with fashion from the 1980s, off-the-shoulders are sweaters that don’t fully cover the top of the arms, leaving the shoulders exposed. They’re fun, fashionable, and sexy, but they aren’t appropriate for more formal settings.
Advertisement

26

Scoop Neck

Download Article

1. Scoop neck sweaters are kind of like “half” off-the-shoulder sweaters. They have really large, wide necks so that the wearer can display both clavicles, or tilt the sweater and show an entire shoulder for a more playful, flirty look.

27

Shawl Neck

Download Article

1. 
   Shawl-neck sweaters have collars (and often openings in the front) with a lot of bunched-up fabric and material. It creates the impression that the person wearing the sweater is also wearing a large scarf in the same style. They tend to be very expressive, fashionable pieces of clothing, and the large neck ensures you’ll never go cold.

   • A lot of shawl necks out there are bulky enough to sort of qualify as knitted jackets.
Advertisement

28

Fair Isle Sweater

Download Article

1. Fair Isle sweaters are defined by their color and stitch count. Only two (sometimes three) colors can be used and the patterns wrap around the entire sweater. The most common designs for Fair Isles are a kind of zig-zagging pattern or an OXO pattern that curls around the neck, collar, and shoulders.

   • The Fair Isle sweater is named after (believe or not) an island named Fair Isle (it’s in the Shetland Islands).
   • Most Christmas sweaters would qualify as Fair Isle sweaters if you remove all of the Christmas-specific elements and just keep the stitching designs.

29

Twinset

Download Article

1. 
   Twinsets refer to a matching set of two sweaters (usually a cardigan and a pullover, but it can be any two sweaters) that are worn together. These items can be separate, or they can be stitched together and sold as a single clothing item.

   • A lot of people will also refer to a suit jacket and a sweater combo as a twinset.
Advertisement

30

Tunic

Download Article

1. Tunics are baggy sweaters that are much tighter fitting around the shoulders and upper arms, but loosen up as the fabric flows out towards the hem at the bottom. They’re a casual, playful option that you can easily pair with leggings or jeans for an easy, clean look.

31

Open Knit

Download Article

1. 
   Open-knit sweaters are a broad category of sweaters with very loose, almost see-through designs. The knitting pattern of these sweaters leaves gaps so that people can see the garment underneath the sweater. The “holes” in these sweaters are helpful for creating unique, layered looks, and the variety among these kinds of sweaters means there’s one out there for everyone!
Advertisement

32

Cape Sweater

Download Article

1. Cape sweaters are (typically) button-up sweaters with large, flowy sleeves and pleats. In the back, there are often “tails,” similar to a short trench coat. These are great sweaters for layering, and they can be worn as outerwear or as part of a core outfit.

33

Full-Zip

Download Article

1. 
   Full-zips refer to any sweater with a full zipper that runs up and down the entirety of the front of the sweater. These sweaters are normally meant for athletic activities and super casual settings, although there are certainly fancier full-zips out there.
Advertisement

34

Half-Zip

Download Article

1. Half-zip sweaters have, as you can probably guess, a zipper that runs halfway down the front of the sweater. So, they’re pull-over sweaters that you can zip up all the way, or leave partially unzipped to get a little bit more air. Like full-zips, you typically find half-zips in the athletic wear section at department stores.

35

Quarter-Zip

Download Article

1. 
   Quarter-zips are identical to half-zips except the zipper only exists at the top quarter of the garment. These sweaters are occasionally a little more formal than half- or full-zips, but they also tend to generally be reserved for casual events or workouts.
Advertisement

36

Pull-Over

Download Article

1. Pull-overs are a broad category of sweater defined by how you put them on: you pull them over your neck and upper body! If there aren’t any zippers, buttons, or openings in the front of the sweater, it’s a pull-over.

37

Poncho

Download Article

1. 
   Going all the way back to 1000 BC in the Incan Empire, the poncho is a beloved garment from South America. It’s defined by its quadrangular shape and the way it drapes over the body. Ponchos come with and without hoods, and they tend to have very elaborate, colorful knit patterns.
Advertisement

38

Oversized/Sleep Sweater

Download Article

1. Oversized and “sleep” sweaters are what they sound like—giant, bulky sweaters meant to hang much lower than traditional, form-fitting sweaters. They are meant to be super comfortable, but that doesn’t mean they’re only loungewear. A lot of oversized sweaters are quite formal and fancy!

   • They make perfect substitutes for dresses! Kim explains, “Purchase an oversized crew neck sweater in the Men’s section and wear it as a dress. Pair it with some knee-high boots and a belt to create shape for a night-out look!”

39

Sweater Vest

Download Article

1. 
   Sweater vests have no arms, giving them the appearance of a traditional suit-jacket vest (but with no buttons). They are known for being the perfect garment if you’re going for a nerdy-chic look, but they’re even more versatile than you’d think. Thinner knit sweater vests can be a great top on their own for a nice picnic day, and simpler sweater vests can work great for the office!
Advertisement

40

Sweater Dress

Download Article

1. Sweater dresses are dress-length sweaters that are meant to be worn on their own. They’re perfect if you want a dress that will hold up on its own in cooler temperatures and keep you from shivering your shoes off. They can also be paired with heeled boots and shoes for a slimming, taller look.

41

Cable Knits

Download Article

1. 
   Cable knit sweaters have a distinctive waveform-like knitting pattern. These “cables” sit parallel in rows to create a uniform, clean look that is both classic and modern at the same time. These sweaters are often hand-knit and quite warm, although some of them can have a more open-knit look.
Advertisement

42

Raglan

Download Article

1. “Raglan” actually refers to a type of sleeve where the shoulders don’t have seams and the end of each arm doesn’t have a form-fitting wrist to keep the sweater from dangling freely. The sweaters are meant to appear kind of like three distinct pieces that have been sewn together.

   • In the United States, a “raglan” can also refer to the baseball-style long-sleeve T-shirts where the sleeves are one color and the body of the shirt is another color.

43

Ribbed Sweater

Download Article

1. 
   Ribbed sweaters have subtle, vertical columns of raised fabric that create the impression of corduroy. They’re versatile sweaters that often work in formal and informal settings, depending on how you style around them. They’re also great style-wise because they have a unique texture that allows you to play with patterns in a fresh way.
Advertisement

44

Tennis Sweater

Download Article

1. Tennis sweaters are instantly recognizable. They have thick, corded, knit columns and there are stripes or patterns around the edges of the garment. They also normally come in only two colors: white or off-white. Sometimes, they have logos or large designs that dominate the garment.

45

Cutout Sweater

Download Article

1. 
   Cutout sweaters have large pieces of the garment “missing” (i.e. “cut out” from the sweater). They tend to be a bit more on the sexual, flirty side, and they’re often layered with an undershirt to avoid accidentally revealing more than you’d want to.
Advertisement

46

Wooly Pully

Download Article

1. The most exciting sweater name on this list, the wooly pully is a certified British icon. It’s based on the British military sweaters worn by officers during the World Wars. These garments have folded shoulder pads, elbow pads, and distinct columns of fabric. These sweaters are historically very durable, as they were meant to be worn in the field, but today they come in all kinds of slick and formal designs.

   • In the United States, the wooly pully is sometimes referred to as a “commando” sweater.
   • James Bond frequently wears wooly pullies whenever he’s got to hunt down a bad guy and needs to wear something less over-the-top than a suit.

47

Chunky Sweater

Download Article

1. 
   Chunky sweaters are a broad category of sweaters defined by the fabric used to knit them. They rely on thick yarn and massive needles to create a garment with huge cords and vibrant designs. Chunky sweaters really drive home the “cozy” feeling, although some of them are perfectly acceptable in more formal settings.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!