While it’s fine to follow the trends from time to time, the best strategy when building a wardrobe is to anchor it to the classics. Especially when it comes to knitwear. While that Drake sweater might be fun for a season or two, eventually you’re going to look like someone who just stepped out of a time machine.
Fortunately there are a handful of knitwear staples that will never go out of style—classics that have kept men warm from fisherman sweaters to chunky cardigans, here are the five sweaters that every man should have in his closet.
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Fisherman’s sweater
Also known as an Aran jumper (named after the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland, where the heavily cabled knit originated), the fisherman sweater has been keeping seafaring men warm since the late 19th century. And though you may not be hauling in cod on the North Atlantic, looking like the rugged sort of man who does is never a bad idea.
Fisherman’s sweater (AED 900) by Buck Mason, buckmason.com
Chunky cardigan
There’s a reason that both your grandpa and Mr. Rogers favored the chunky cardigan. They’re warm, they go with just about everything in your closet, and you don’t have to mess up your hairdo when you put one on.
Cashmere shawl-collar cardigan (AED2,900) by RRL, ralphlauren.com
Cashmere Turtleneck
Whether you wear it with a suit or a shoulder holster like Steve McQueen in Bullitt, a cashmere turtleneck is a great way to up the badass quotient of your look by at least 10 degrees.
Turtleneck cashmere sweater (AED1,100) by Raey, matchesfashion.com
Fair isle sweater
A great way to embrace the winter season is to add a festive touch to your knitwear. But not too festive. The Scots have treaded that fine line between shocking and subtle with their Fair Isle sweaters for more 100 hundred years. British brand Burberry keeps the tradition alive with this cashmere-blend version.
Fair Isle cashmere and wool-blend sweater (AED2,200) by Burberry, mrporter.com
Simple Merino crew
The utility player in your knitwear lineup. This is the go-to sweater that can be dressed up with a blazer for date night, dressed down with jeans for weekend brunch, and paired with just about anything in your closet.
The Luxe merino crew (AED280) by Everlane, everlane.com
