Cotton Sweaters Are the Cooler Sweaters
ShoppingThe right time to rock a lightweight knit is when it's already kind of hot out.By Reed NelsonMay 16, 2025Photos: Getty Images, Gap, J.Crew, Manresa; Design: Emily HanhanSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.As a die hard sweater fan, I really need to get this off my chest: cotton sweaters are the best sweaters, and it isn’t especially close. To be clear, I would run through a wall in defense of their non-scratchy wool counterparts, too, but we all have our specific favorites among the general favorites, right?Allow me to explain. Cotton sweaters are insanely soft, incredibly versatile, offer magnitudes more airflow than their cold-weather relatives, and almost always age in a way that reflects the carefree essence of the season. They also tend to snag less, hold up better, and demand far less laundering care. (When worn on their own, with no buffer between skin and fabric, they’re one of the most tastefully slutty garments in menswear, which might be of note to a few of you.) I’ve never worn a cotton sweater and regretted the decision.GapClassic Cable-Knit Sweater$50 $35 GapJ.CrewHeritage Cotton Ribbed Sweater$118 $67 J.CrewTake J.Crew’s heritage ribbed sweater as an example. Sure, it’s a legitimately hefty knit, but its rib stitching allows for a ton of ventilation and a little extra flexibility. Same goes for Manresa’s instant-classic Oysterman sweater, inspired by the sweaters favored by literal oystermen contending with the coastal Northeast’s fluctuating temperatures. It weighs more than even the burliest fisherman sweaters, but breathes just like a basketball jersey.Meanwhile, Margaret Howell’s crossover crew packs more intrigue around the collar than most seasons of (good) reality TV, and boasts an easygoing fit on par with pretty much any sweatshirt you own. Oh, and speaking of comfortable, Abercrombie’s pima rib-stitch crewneck looks like a walking nap, no two ways about it.ManresaOysterman Sweater$225 ManresaAbercrombie & FitchPima Cotton Rib Stitch Crew Sweater$70 Abercrombie & Fitch18 EastBuri Bouclé Knit Sweater Vest$210 18 EastBodeBracken Jacquard-Knit Pima Cotton Sweater$780 Mr. PorterLooking to get a little freakier? Check out Bode’s jacquard-knit riff, rendered in feather-light pima cotton with roughly 14 patterns per inch, which might be jarring in less capable hands but instead just looks incredible with medium-wash jeans. Looking to spend a little less? For under $50, you can get one of the most comfortable sweaters you’ll ever wear, or you can really go wild, and get…one of the most comfortable sweaters you’ll ever wear.So, yes, cotton sweaters might seem like a paradox—why would you wear a sweater when it’s hot outside?—but they make perfect sense. If you encounter me in the wild this spring, there’s, like, a 70% chance I’ll be wearing one.Margaret HowellMHL Cross Over Crew$351 Lost & FoundBanana RepublicMarled Cotton Ribbed Sweater$120 $90 Banana Republic
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
As a die hard sweater fan, I really need to get this off my chest: cotton sweaters are the best sweaters, and it isn’t especially close. To be clear, I would run through a wall in defense of their non-scratchy wool counterparts, too, but we all have our specific favorites among the general favorites, right?
Allow me to explain. Cotton sweaters are insanely soft, incredibly versatile, offer magnitudes more airflow than their cold-weather relatives, and almost always age in a way that reflects the carefree essence of the season. They also tend to snag less, hold up better, and demand far less laundering care. (When worn on their own, with no buffer between skin and fabric, they’re one of the most tastefully slutty garments in menswear, which might be of note to a few of you.) I’ve never worn a cotton sweater and regretted the decision.
Take J.Crew’s heritage ribbed sweater as an example. Sure, it’s a legitimately hefty knit, but its rib stitching allows for a ton of ventilation and a little extra flexibility. Same goes for Manresa’s instant-classic Oysterman sweater, inspired by the sweaters favored by literal oystermen contending with the coastal Northeast’s fluctuating temperatures. It weighs more than even the burliest fisherman sweaters, but breathes just like a basketball jersey.
Meanwhile, Margaret Howell’s crossover crew packs more intrigue around the collar than most seasons of (good) reality TV, and boasts an easygoing fit on par with pretty much any sweatshirt you own. Oh, and speaking of comfortable, Abercrombie’s pima rib-stitch crewneck looks like a walking nap, no two ways about it.
Looking to get a little freakier? Check out Bode’s jacquard-knit riff, rendered in feather-light pima cotton with roughly 14 patterns per inch, which might be jarring in less capable hands but instead just looks incredible with medium-wash jeans. Looking to spend a little less? For under $50, you can get one of the most comfortable sweaters you’ll ever wear, or you can really go wild, and get…one of the most comfortable sweaters you’ll ever wear.
So, yes, cotton sweaters might seem like a paradox—why would you wear a sweater when it’s hot outside?—but they make perfect sense. If you encounter me in the wild this spring, there’s, like, a 70% chance I’ll be wearing one.
