A good sweater does most of the work in a quiet luxury wardrobe. You notice the yarn, the fit and the color before anything else, and there is no logo to do the talking. This guide covers the seven sweaters we think every man should know about, what to check before you buy, and how to wear each one.
What makes a sweater look expensive
Price is not the best signal. These five things are.
- The yarn. Wool, cashmere or a blend where wool or cashmere comes first on the label. Natural fibers keep their shape and look matte, not shiny.
- The knit. Hold it up to a window. If you can see a lot of light through a thick sweater, the knit is loose and it will stretch.
- The ribbing. Cuffs and hem should spring back when you pull them. Soft, flat ribbing is the first thing to go.
- The fit. The shoulder seam should sit on your shoulder, and the body should end around your belt. Too long looks sloppy, too tight looks cheap.
- The color. Camel, cream, navy, grey, brown and burgundy. These shades are easy to combine and never look loud.
The 7 quiet luxury sweaters worth owning
1. The cashmere crew neck
If you buy one sweater, buy this one. A plain crew neck in cashmere works over a T-shirt on the weekend and over a shirt at the office. Light cashmere is warm without bulk, so it also fits under a jacket.
Our 100% Cashmere Sweater is made from Italian cashmere in a fine, light knit. For a cheaper option, Uniqlo's cashmere crew is good for the money. If you want to spend a lot more, N.Peal and Loro Piana are the classic names.
Photo: @uniqlo on Instagram
2. The cable knit
Cable knits are heavier and more textured, which is exactly why they look so good in autumn. Wear one on its own with pleated trousers, or with the collar of a shirt showing at the neck.
We make three: the Quiet Luxury Woolen Sweater in a wool and cashmere blend (beige, burgundy and black), the Crewneck Wool Cable Knit Sweater in pure wool, and the Cable Knit Crew Neck Sweater, a lighter acrylic and wool blend that is easier to wash. Outside BLENIN, Ralph Lauren and the Irish brand Inis Meáin both make great cable knits.
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3. The half zip
A half zip with a stand collar is the most useful sweater for cold days. Zip it up and it keeps your neck warm without a scarf. Leave it open and it looks relaxed with a shirt underneath.
The Quiet Luxury Zip Up Cable Sweater is one of our warmest pieces: a wool and cashmere blend with a bold cable pattern. Brunello Cucinelli made this style famous, and Massimo Dutti usually has a good version every autumn.
Photo: @brunellocucinelli_brand on Instagram
4. The quarter zip in a deep color
Most quiet luxury outfits are built on beige and navy. A quarter zip in burgundy is the easy way to add some color without breaking the look. Wear it with cream trousers and brown loafers.
Our Elegant Quarter Zip Sweater comes in burgundy and navy. It is a smooth viscose and nylon knit, not wool, so it feels lighter and works well for layering on milder days. If you want merino, John Smedley is the reference.
5. The cardigan
A cardigan is the quiet alternative to a blazer. Worn open over an oxford shirt, it looks smart enough for most offices and much more comfortable.
The Cashmere Button Cardigan is 100% cashmere with a high stand collar. The 100% Wool Fitted Cardigan is slimmer and a bit more formal, in navy or burgundy. Drake's and Sunspel both make excellent cardigans if you want to compare.
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6. The full zip
A full zip knit sits between a sweater and a light jacket. It is the best thing to travel in: warm on the train, easy to take off, and still neat when you arrive.
Our Cashmere Zip Up Pullover is 100% cashmere in a soft rib, with a high collar.
7. The long sleeve knitted polo
Not quite a sweater, but it does the same job in spring and early autumn. A knitted polo with long sleeves looks more put together than a crew neck and still feels relaxed.
Try the Long Sleeve Cashmere Polo or the Textured Cotton Polo Sweater in navy. For a higher price, John Smedley's knitted polos are some of the best made.
Photo: @johnsmedleyknitwear on Instagram
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Three easy outfits
- Office: cashmere cardigan, light blue oxford shirt, navy pleated trousers, brown suede loafers.
- Weekend: cable knit, white T-shirt underneath, cream or white pleated trousers, loafers or clean white sneakers.
- Dinner: cashmere crew neck in camel, black pinstripe trousers, dark suede loafers.
More trouser ideas are in our guide to quiet luxury pants for men.
How to make your sweaters last
- Fold knitwear. Never hang it, or the shoulders stretch.
- Wear a sweater two or three times before washing. Airing it overnight is often enough.
- Hand wash cold with a wool detergent, press the water out in a towel and dry flat.
- Small pills on cashmere are normal at first. Remove them with a cashmere comb, not a razor.
- Store clean sweaters with cedar blocks over summer to keep moths away.
FAQ
What is the best quiet luxury sweater for men?
A cashmere crew neck in camel, navy or grey. It goes with everything and looks good for years if you look after it.
Is cashmere worth it over wool?
Cashmere is softer and lighter for the same warmth. Wool is tougher and better for heavy cable knits. Many men own both: cashmere for smart days, wool for the weekend.
What colors are quiet luxury?
Neutral, soft colors: camel, beige, cream, navy, grey, brown, olive and burgundy. Avoid bright colors and large patterns.
Where can I see all BLENIN sweaters?
Everything is in our men's sweaters collection and the quiet luxury edit for men. If you are comparing brands, read affordable quiet luxury brands.
