Tag / best sweaters for men

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Buck Mason Quarter-Zip Is a Seriously Cool Take on a Casual Staple

Best quarter-zip sweaters for men.

There are certain casual men’s style staples that, if you ask me, tend to get a bad rep of sorts. The quarter-zip sweater very well might be one of ’em, at least the way some brands make it: While ultra-useful for performance on the links and even as a lightweight, moisture-wicking travel sweater (a favorite way of mine to wear one!), there are some quarter-zip sweaters that lean a little too, well, corporate logo-heavy. But a better way is possible, and Buck Mason is on the case, folks.

Find out more and shop now at Buck Mason

And while there’s nothing wrong with rocking one at a work conference, what about a better and more casually rugged way to wear the quarter-zip sweater? As with most modern casual style essentials for men, the good folks at Buck Mason have devised the perfect way to get back to the functional roots of the zip sweater, and the Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Quarter Zip is a prime example of a new way to look at one of the best sweaters for men, period. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

The Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Quarter Zip takes its cues from vintage athletic wear, using a thick vertical cardigan rib knit design and fully fashioned construction for a burly, rugged take on the quarter-zip.

With its thick, sturdy collar, the Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Quarter Zip manages to stand out from the pack, at least in my book — that holds true whether worn atop an Oxford shirt with dark blue jeans at the office, or with merino wool joggers more casually around the house or during a weekend coffee run. If it’s versatile style in a quarter-zip sweater that you seek, then the Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Quarter Zip is the one to watch for this season.

With its yarn-dyed and garment-rinsed build, the Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Quarter Zip also should feel plenty supple and comfortable right out of the box, while the ribbed collar and chest pocket add stylish detailing to a fresh take on a classic sweater for men. Available in two colors (the crisp India Ink and the eye-catching Sand Dollar), this new casual style staple should prove as wearable with expertly faded denim as with stretch chinos or corduroy trousers to round out the rest of winter. For an inspired take on a tried-and-true classic, reach for the Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Quarter Zip, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Wills Sweater Chore Coat from Huckberry Elevates Any Casual #OOTD In Every Season

At the best of times, you’ve got every base covered, so to speak, in your #menswear wardrobe — from sweaters to chore coats to the hard-working blazer and the classic Oxford shirt, the building blocks are the building blocks for a reason. And when you find a piece that toes the line between two different categories, the ante is upped even further. Versatility is the name of the game, and when a style essential delivers a bit of both (in the case of the sweater chore coat above, both rugged appeal and casual ease), well, that’s the sweet spot, at least in my experience.

And of course, the good folks at Huckberry have you covered in this regard, especially when it comes to the new Wills Sweater Chore Coat, which could prove a crucial part of your next winter #OOTD.

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Just introduced as part of an early look at spring menswear at Huckberry, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat carries on the sense of elevated ease and go-anywhere potential you’ll find across the rest of the Wills lineup, which also boasts luxe sweaters, casually cool sweater polos, crisp blazers and tailored trousers aplenty. The Wills Sweater Chore Coat, as we talked about before, rests somewhere between rugged and refined, which is never a bad thing to have more of in your rotation of winter style essentials.

And while some versions of the best chore coats for men indeed lean more rugged and are crafted from materials like tough cotton canvas, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat leans more refined and crisply tailored. That’s because of its sweater-like build, made from a soft cotton-nylon blend for durability and performance without losing its shape.

Finished with chore coat details like a chest patch pocket and two front hip patch pockets for your everyday carry, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat also features a lay-flat, shirt-esque collar that can be layered with ease atop your favorite denim shirt or a more rugged chambray shirt (or a henley, or a classic crewneck tee — you get the idea). With the Wills Sweater Chore Coat, the style world is your oyster, relatively speaking.

In easily wearable colors like crisp Navy or a light tan brown that would pair well with olive chinos or dark blue or black jeans in equal measure, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat delivers the right mix of crisp, easy-to-layer ease. As Huckberry so aptly puts it, this handsome chore coat delivers “the comfort of your favorite sweater with chore coat utility,” and that’s a perfect balance for your menswear wardrobe, at least in my book. Would you expect anything less from Huckberry? I should think not, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Sweater is an Affordable Wardrobe Update

We’re still deep in the throes of winter, a detail you surely haven’t missed if you’ve stepped outside your front door any day in the past few weeks. Perhaps at this point, you’re searching for updates to your sweater rotation, and it might be high time for an affordable refresh with one of the best winter sweaters for men.

And perhaps, it might be time to take the plunge with a buzzed-about brand you haven’t yet tried: Meet Quince, makers of highly affordable cashmere sweaters and perhaps best known for its line of Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweaters, among others. Let’s say we take a look at what could be your new favorite sweater, shall we?

Learn more now at Quince

The brand has something for just about everyone (including a line of home goods and basics, right down to socks, plus pages of accessories aplenty to pore through). There are also more Quince men’s sweaters out there than you can shake a stick at, including a range of shawl cardigans, quarter-zip sweaters, polo sweaters, classic cardigans and of course, the famed line of Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweaters.

And as you can see here, the brand also does a standout job at visually interesting, modern takes on the classics, like the trusty cable-knit crewneck sweater. In recent weeks in fact, I’ve had the chance to try out the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew, a more elevated take on, say, the traditional fisherman sweater (and yes, Quince also makes fisherman-style sweaters). Right off the bat, the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew is a major winner in terms of affordability, especially concerning what traditional designers might dream up.

Of course, 100 percent Mongolian cashmere makes up its ultra-soft construction, billed by the do-it-all brand as “a lightweight yet exceptionally warm sweater that delivers natural breathability and a luxuriously soft hand-feel against the skin.” In frigid temperatures across NYC, that certainly holds true (when layered beneath a trusty peacoat, of course).

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The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew also comes in highly stylish, easily wearable colors, including shades of beige, tan, grey and navy — and at their current price tag, you very well might want to pick up more than one iteration of the handsome Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew.

Whether paired up with crisp dark indigo blue jeans or elevated with wool trousers or corduroy pants, there’s a refined, appealing nature to the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew in its many colors — you just might find yourself wanting to see what all the fuss is about, and that’s a highly recommended move in my book. Good luck out there, my friends, and stay stylish.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Buck Mason California Cashmere Cable Crew Sweater

As frigid weather continues to grip much of the country, perhaps you’re taking stock of your winter style essentials and realizing you need a few more critical, crucial picks with some serious heft to them. That holds true for your menswear rotation from top to bottom, I’d wager: Rugged leather boots, durable denim, flannel shirt jackets and the right base layers are all downright useful in your fight against winter’s worst, and that’s where the good folks at Buck Mason enter your rotation once more.

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The California-based brand drives a hard bargain in matters of form and functionality, especially as far as Buck Mason sweaters are concerned — the lineup draws inspiration from utterly timeless, throwback-style sweaters, particularly preppy staples from the Ivy League. And that’s what makes the Buck Mason California Cashmere Cable Crew Sweater so reliable: It’s got the proper construction, the right design and the durable fabrication (plus style points aplenty!) you’ve come to expect from Buck Mason, and then some.

The Buck Mason California Cashmere Cable Crew Sweater is crafted from ultra-soft 100 percent cashmere for a truly luxurious feel and finish. And with its classic cable knit stitching, the sweater boasts heritage-quality good looks in a design that would make Hemingway proud. Buck Mason drew design inspiration from the “casual poise of 1960s Ivy League sweaters,” the company said, and finished this handsome piece with yarn-dyed fabric at the cuffs and collar for a lived-in, well-loved feel right out of the box.

In three elegant and dashing colors, including crisp Black and an eye-catching, utterly classic shade of Natural, this refined sweater should prove as wearable with expertly faded blue jeans as with olive corduroy trousers and perhaps even tobacco-hued chinos, depending on the color you select.

There’s a sense of refinement and style to the Buck Mason California Cashmere Cable Crew Sweater, which boasts a classic fit for easygoing layering atop an Oxford shirt, a trusty Buck Mason chambray shirt or perhaps a thermal crewneck for casual style on winter weekend days aplenty. When the weather demands something more sturdy and strong in your arsenal, take aim at adverse conditions with the timeless, exceptionally well-crafted Buck Mason California Cashmere Cable Crew Sweater, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Pair This Rugged Tecovas Sweater with Your Favorite Western Boots This Winter

Tecovas menswear review.

As we bundle up with increasing fervor across the frigid winter months, it’s important to remember — at least in my experience — that having a bit of fun in the process of scouring the market for winter style essentials is, well, also important. So, while you might have figured out your outerwear situation and ideally, the best winter boots on your feet, it pays off to have a touch of fun or at least a touch of the unexpected in your layering rotation.

That’s where Tecovas comes in: As fun as it is to step out in a pair of rugged Tecovas work boots or the brand’s ever-popular Western boots, it’s perhaps even cooler to discover something a bit unexpected, like one of the best winter sweaters for men. The Austin-based brand has shot to popularity across the past decade for embodying all things Western in matters of style and substance, and a rugged winter sweater like the Tecovas Desert Crew Neck Sweater can add a dash of dependability, flair and style to everything from a waxed trucker jacket to a flannel shirt jacket.

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Helpfully, the Tecovas Desert Crew Neck Sweater is unexpected, it’s eye-catching and it’s built to last at a relatively fair price ($145 as of press time). Paired up with your favorite pair of handsome, durable Tecovas leather Western boots — of which the brand makes dozens of different styles — and you’ve got a stylish sweater you can layer up in versatile fashion.

Crafted from midweight Merino wool for temperature regulation and plenty of warmth (whether paired with a chambray shirt or straightforward long-sleeve cotton tee), this sweater gains variety from its half-cardigan stitch construction through the body. Pair that with shoulder and back yoke seed stitch detailing, plus rack stitching at the cuffs and hem — this handsome sweater is visually appealing all the way through, especially in Winter White.

Best of all is the attention to detail in constructing the Tecovas Desert Crew Neck Sweater — note the cow skull motif emblazoned across the back in bold, rugged fashion. It’s a one-of-a-kind sweater available in two crisp colors and practically made to be paired with expertly crafted light wash or dark blue jeans (which you can also score at Tecovas, as luck would have it!). The next time opportunity comes knocking in the form of a reliable sweater to layer up with during winter’s worst weather, I’d wager the Tecovas Desert Crew Neck Sweater is about as good as it gets.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Bristol Cardigan – An Old-School, Seriously Rugged Winter Sweater for Men

Best shawl cardigans for men.

In the most trying of times, when winter’s worst weather simply won’t let up — a common theme these days from my Brooklyn abode and elsewhere across the polar vortex — what tends to work is some of the most reliable, toughest menswear on the market.

Even if you’re merely venturing across town rather than embarking far afield, the best winter style essentials make it count in terms of weather-readiness, functionality and plain ole classic style points. That’s where Filson should earn place of pride in your menswear wardrobe, my friends.

Shop new winter menswear from Filson

Of course, if you’ve kept up with this blog over the seasons, you know that to be true, as the famed Pacific Northwest retailer still delivers the good when it comes to the best waxed jackets, tough flannel shirts in a variety of fabric weights, sturdy waxed work pants and — in the case of today’s weekend style dispatch — one of the best shawl cardigans for men.

My Filson reviews as of late have praised the brand for dependability and performance in a range of iconic styles, the sort of gear outdoorsmen have trusted for decades — and it doesn’t hurt that a modern-day selection like the Filson Bristol Cardigan Sweater looks like something a style icon like Steve McQueen might have cherished “back in the day,” ehh?

Filson Bristol Cardigan review.

The shawl cardigan sweater is — as I’ve written about lately for sites like CoolMaterial — a style that, in similar fashion to the classic henley or the chambray shirt — can serve to make every guy look good, adding a dash of rugged appeal to reliable pieces like blue jeans and trusty leather boots.

And when it comes to the Filson Bristol Cardigan Sweater, the same mix of throwback charm and modern warmth holds true. The shawl collar frames the face while adding some heft and extra warmth around the back of your neck — and you can still knot a scarf looped down the front, if need be.

It’s certainly an investment at $349, but it doesn’t cut corners in manners of looks or material. Thick-knit 100 percent wool means the Filson Bristol Cardigan Sweater is going to prove extra warm when worn underneath a waxed field coat or an insulated Filson coat, while it’s woven in a thick fisherman’s vertical ribbed design (again, making the Filson Bristol Cardigan Sweater an utterly classic piece that menswear heroes of days gone by would have loved).

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In two go-anywhere, wear-with-nearly-anything colors (that’d be Navy and Forest Green Heather), the handsome Filson Bristol Cardigan Sweater wears exceptionally well with a natural-hued henley or with a faded denim shirt out in the wild — or at your favorite distillery, for instance.

Two lower hip pockets deliver the classic style any good cardigan needs, and it just so happens that no matter where you go — from a wooded forest cabin to a mountainside retreat — a piece like the Filson Bristol Cardigan Sweater is built to take you there, back again and just about anywhere you dream up this winter.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: The Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Sweater – A New Twist on a Holiday Staple

There’s a time and a place to embrace the charms of the festive holiday season, and that time and place happens to be right now. While there’s something to be said for keeping your rotation of the best winter sweaters well-stocked no matter what — from a cozy shawl cardigan to a crisp V-neck sweater or a sporty-yet-refined quarter-zip sweater — it’s about time we had a little tasteful fun with one of the best holiday sweaters for men.

And that’s where The Tie Bar enters the fray, already purveyor of crisply designed, modern-meets-retro ties, sweaters, cardigans, sweater polos and even crisp dress shirts.

In fact, you still likely know The Tie Bar for its commitment to highly affordable neckwear, no matter the season, but the brand has become much more than that in recent years — let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Find out more now at The Tie Bar

The Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater helps see to that, nodding to the heritage of the iconic Fair Isle sweater, yet this time using seasonal colors and a tastefully understated pattern (your classic “Ugly Christmas Sweater,” this certainly is not. The Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater also retails right now for the standout price of $49, a steal of a deal for a sweater made from 100 percent Merino wool.

It’s also not a bad thing that this Tie Bar merino sweater so happens to look excellent whether worn with dark blue indigo jeans or charcoal corduroy trousers in equal measure — the kind of Christmas sweater made to be dressed up or dressed down.

That means the Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater is naturally moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating (feel free to wear it over a long-sleeve cotton tee or an Oxford shirt in equal measure). It should also fit in tailored fashion — with enough room to layer, yet not cut so tight as to prove uncomfortable, nor too loose to look sloppy.

It’s the small details that make the difference, as well as stylish details like the understated and classic Fair Isle pattern in a rich color combination that, once again, is a good ways away from the Ugly Christmas sweaters you’ve grown so accustomed to seeing in years gone by.

With the proper blend of affordability, quality, highly functional fabrication and timeless good looks, I’d wager the Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater is one of the best men’s sweaters to buy now for Christmas, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: This Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck is One of the Best Affordable Sweaters on the Market

Quince cashmere sweater review for men.

If you’ve been keeping a weather eye out there on the menswear market, perhaps you’re wise to the highly affordable, sustainable style musings of Quince, a game-changing brand known for, among other things, producing some of the very best sweaters for men.

In fact, its use of ultra-soft, premium Mongolian cashmere in so many of its sweaters has proven an innovation in the industry few can match — an innovation that makes them more than worthy of a slot in today’s Tuesday Steal feature.

Find out more and shop now at Quince

Of course, Quince makes more than just some of the best men’s cashmere sweaters: They offer a full lineup of complementary pieces, from soft, stretchy five-pocket chinos to classic T-shirts, leather bomber jackets, easygoing buttondown shirts and even an extensive range of handsome footwear, not to mention home goods.

Quince is a do-it-all brand to add to your rotation — especially if you haven’t yet given the brand a shot yet — but it’s the sub-$60 Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck that put the brand on the map, and it’s that very sweater that deserves its day in the sun (the winter sun, at least) in your next #OOTD.

And while it’s plenty impressive to see the wide variety of style offerings up for grabs from Quince, let’s talk more about that Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck — its price of just $59.90 represents a roughly 62 percent markdown from traditional retail pricing for similar sweaters, and it only gets better from there.

Learn more now and shop men’s sweaters at Quince

The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck boasts more than 4,000 5-star reviews (Quince rightfully says “we’re a little bit famous for our cashmere crew, and in the case of this tasteful and versatile crewneck sweater, its fabrication, softness and premium nature come from 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere.

This sleek crewneck sweater — as easily wearable on its own over a crewneck T-shirt as with a crisply cut Oxford shirt at the office — is also produced in a Business Social Compliance Initiative-certified factory using goat cashmere fibers sourced from Inner Mongolia.

In short, I’d wager the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck is one you can certainly feel good about wearing — in any number of its wide array of fashionable color options. And remember: The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck is far from the only stylish, sharp cashmere sweater made by the brand, with offerings including cardigans, sweater polos and expertly cut V-neck sweaters, for good measure.

Whether paired up with stretch chinos, expertly faded denim or tailored corduroy trousers this holiday season (and well beyond, of course), this wildly affordable cashmere crewneck has the potential to become your new favorite everyday sweater — all at a must-buy price right this instant, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Save More Than 30 Percent On this Layering-Ready Merino Sweater from American Trench

Best sweaters for men.

There’s no time like the present, as we often say, to upgrade your seasonal style game, and more specifically, your seasonal layering rotation with one of the best sweaters for men. I’d wager it’s also an apt time to go a step further and reach for one of the best American-made sweaters — not an easy thing to do in this day and age and in this economy, but a goal made all the easier by American Trench, long one of my favorite brands for its steadfast commitment to honest-to-goodness American-made production and stylish designs aplenty.

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The brand has a serious knack for putting plenty of care into every stitch, be it the company’s famed American-made American Blazer or its thick-knit, colorful and exceptionally high-quality USA-made socks. which happen to be a personal favorite of my own menswear rotation.

And the American Trench Merino Nautical Sweater carries on that tradition and commitment to quality in fine fashion, and it does so at more than 30 percent off right now — talk about a heck of a deal for a hard-to-find American-made sweater from a top-notch producer.

There’s a sense of care and craftsmanship to the American Trench Merino Nautical Sweater, which borrows from utterly classic Breton stripe sweaters famously worn by the French Navy.

With its rubbed cuffs and hem, it should prove a snug, comfortable layer ideal for wearing atop a white Oxford shirt to the office, out and about on a date atop a blue denim shirt or paired up in easygoing fashion over a long-sleeve cotton tee for laidback weekend style.

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When a sweater like the American Trench Merino Nautical Sweater comes along, complete with remarkable merino fabrication for temperature regulation and anti-odor properties, it’s certainly worth considering — and with winter’s worst weather rolling into town, you’re going to need a full assortment of the best sweaters for men. The good folks at American Trench can assuredly help.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Upgrade Your Layering Game with this Billy Reid Henley Sweater

Best henleys for men.

When you think of layering up for the season at hand, and particularly layering up when casually rugged style is the name of the game, where does your mind wander? Do you think of the fall and winter style staple that is the timeless shawl cardigan, or perhaps the crisp and classic crewneck or V-neck sweater? Do you think of the lounge-ready hoodie?

Or do you think of a piece that falls somewhere in between those categories — a rugged hybrid selection like the henley sweater, especially the Billy Reid Garment-Dyed Henley Sweater, might be precisely what you have in mind, yes?

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This piece lives up to its name, and then some, falling on the more laidback side of the equation as far as Billy Reid wardrobe essentials are concerned. The Alabama-based designer lends a casually cool, classic air to pieces that are normally more conservative, be it the Oxford shirt or the denim blue jean — and of course, elevated menswear like one of the best men’s blazers or James Bond’s favorite peacoat remain very much part of the designer’s offerings, year after year.

Billy Reid also strays into sportswear territory, like the heritage-inspired Dover Sweatshirt, which uses handsome elbow patches to class up an already super-soft crewneck sweatshirt. And that’s where the Billy Reid Garment-Dyed Henley Sweater starts to work its magic in your menswear rotation.

Garment-dyed cotton gives it a lived-in look and feel, the designer says, while ribbed knit finishing at the cuffs and hem delivers a snug fit and a touch of visual appeal — it turns the henley into a thicker sweater, one you can even layer under a more lightweight cotton crewneck tee or, better still, a lightweight cotton henley for a dash of devil-may-care style attitude.

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Heirloom elbow patches and a timeless band-collar design help the Billy Reid Garment-Dyed Henley Sweater achieve the perfect balance between a rugged layering must-have — beneath a waxed field coat might work wonders — and a refined staple you can use to dress down a crisp white dress shirt and tobacco-hued chinos ever so slightly.

Dark horn buttons are an elevated finishing design detail, giving this handsome sweater a wear-with-anything sensibility this winter. When the mood strikes, when you want a departure from the ordinary via your winter layering game, the Billy Reid Garment-Dyed Henley Sweater could be just the ticket, my friends.