In menswear-land, there are only a handful of garments that combine utility with romance and robustness with luxury quite so stylishly as the humble men’s jumper.
Not to be confused with the cardigan or the oft-controversial sweater vest, this classic piece of knitwear (commonly available in an assortment of crewneck, turtleneck, or deep-v styles) is relevant for us, here in Australia, multiple times throughout the year.
That said, with Fall just around the corner, it feels appropriate this month to revisit all of the best men’s sweaters we’ve handled in 2024 — here are 10 of our favourites.
RELATED: An Ex-Marine Attempts The First Real Suiting Innovation In Centuries
Jump To:
- The 10 Best Men’s Jumpers Worth Buying This Fall
- L.E.J Shadow Patch Mock Neck
- Ralph Lauren Purple Label Linen-Cashmere Jumper
- Drakes Brushed Shetland Crewneck Jumper
- Suitsupply Merino Crewneck
- Norse Projects ‘Arild’ Alpaca-Mohair Jacquard Sweater
- Gucci Logo-Appliquéd Striped Wool Sweater
- Giorgio Armani Jacquard Linen Virgin-Wool Blend Jumper
- A Tempo Rubato Nonpareil ‘Twenty’ Knit
- Uniqlo Cashmere Turtleneck Long Sleeve Sweater
- M.J. Bale ‘Buchanan’ Ashby V-Neck Knit
The 10 Best Men’s Jumpers Worth Buying This Fall
L.E.J Shadow Patch Mock Neck
DETAILS
- Mock neck style
- Knitted in Scotland
- Pure 4-ply cashmere
- ‘Shadow’ elbow patches
A relatively new indie label (founded by a London menswear veteran), L.E.J’s killer edge rests in statement shirting and outerwear that’s equal parts militaria and meticulously detailed vintage repro.
Happily, for our purposes, the brand also produces some killer knitwear. Its ‘Shadow Patch’ series cribs inspiration from mock neck sweaters (a historical favourite among European navies) and is cut from cashmere in a 4-ply yarn — the ideal thickness for most cold-weather knits.
In line with L.E.J’s reputation, the proverbial fine print is well-considered. ‘Seed stitch’ style reinforcement is utilised around common points of wear & tear; while the mock neck sits higher on the wearer, improving insulation.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Linen-Cashmere Jumper
DETAILS
- Made in Italy
- Cable-knit style
- 70% linen, 30% cashmere
- Horizontally and vertically knit
Comfort and a timeless visual sensibility are characteristics it pays to look for in statement knitwear. Fortunately, Ralph Lauren knows a thing or two about both.
If you’re after mens jumpers with a dash of ‘Old Hollywood’ glamour, the American luxury brand’s ‘Purple Label’ diffusion is an excellent place to start.
This linen-cashmere number (from the brand’s SS24 collection) is our certifiable pick of the litter: combining a cable-knit chest panel with horizontal knitting around the waist. Crafted for a body-close fit, it’ll work well as a wintertime mid-layer or as a statement piece in transitional weather.
Drakes Brushed Shetland Crewneck Jumper
DETAILS
- Made in Scotland
- 100% lambswool
- Crewneck cable-knit
- Available in multiple colours
Part of British sportswear label Drakes’ (aptly titled) ‘Perennials’ collection, this brushed Shetland sweater internalises pretty much every lesson of good knitwear design taught in the industry over the past century.
A subtly longer hem and generous raglan sleeves signpost the fact that this crewneck is made — to be blunt — by clothing designers who actually give a sh**, and they’re tailormade to be worn as interstitial layers. (For a fulsome fashion-forward look, definitely go up one size.)
Four colourways in the whole range (ranging from kermit-y green to a more sombre heather grey) mean there’s more or less fun for the whole family.
Suitsupply Merino Crewneck
DETAILS
- Multiple colourways
- Slightly tapered body
- 100% Merino
- Slim fit
Less Grimace (of Mcdonalds’ fame) and more ‘Clown Prince of Crime’, this purple sweater is yet further evidence of Suitsupply’s ironclad reliability and robust value-per-dollar proposition.
An online exclusive for the brand — the other three colourways can be purchased in-store — it’s tailored for a slim fit that works equally well beneath a sportcoat or as the final layer in a more casual ‘sportorial’ getup.
Manufactured in compliance with Suitsupply’s carbon-neutral policy.
Norse Projects ‘Arild’ Alpaca-Mohair Jacquard Sweater
DETAILS
- 35% mohair, 35% alpaca, 30% polyamide
- Norse Projects’ signature ‘Paint Camo’ design
- Oversized fit, dropped shoulder seams
- Made in Tunisia
One for the Scandi designers and post-workwear boys, Norse Projects’ Arild brings the Danish brand’s signature quad-colour camo design to the realm of the big statement sweater.
An ideal mens jumper for those who prefer a comfortable, laidback aesthetic; it’s made of equal parts mohair and superfine alpaca for a warm and robustly textured feel.
The beautiful and gauzy effect of the so-called ‘camo’ knit mean that you can keep the rest of your fit simple. Take a page out of Newtown stockist Maplestore’s playbook and wear it alongside shorts and a classic blucher.
Gucci Logo-Appliquéd Striped Wool Sweater
DETAILS
- Size up if you have broad shoulders
- Racing-inspired stripes
- Appliqué ‘GG’ logo
- Made in Italy
Stonkingly bold (and with a price tag to match), this Gucci number looks like it could have been lifted straight from the pages of the brand’s acclaimed Palace collaboration — we guess it’s the racing stripes.
Woven in 100% fine-gauge wool, it offers a more subtle take on logomania: sporting an angular, italicised riff on Gucci’s classic ‘double G’ motif.
The combination of blue, ivory, and large horizontal striping make this a fantastic statement piece to reach for during cool weather; helped along by cosy details like the enlarged raglan sleeve.
Giorgio Armani Jacquard Linen Virgin-Wool Blend Jumper
DETAILS
- Crewneck style
- Milleraies collar detail
- 45% linen, 36% polyester, 19% wool
- Made in Italy
Since the 1980s, Armani has long been acclaimed for his mastery over texture and visual abstraction — both elements offering a sophisticated means of communicating luxury in clothing.
Ripped straight from Giorgio Armani’s Spring 24 menswear presentation, this ‘Jacquard’ mens sweater uses the physical contrast between natural fibres and synthetics to a very stylish effect.
Various hues of cool, dusty blue run through this knitwear; although the percentage of linen means it’ll be at its most wearable, in Australia at any rate, during the first half of the year.
A Tempo Rubato Nonpareil ‘Twenty’ Knit
DETAILS
- Crewneck style
- Buttoned chest pocket
- 100% superfine Merino
- Multiple colourways
Founded by two veterans of Skoaktiebolaget in Stockholm, Rubato has gone from strength to strength in recent years on the back of high-quality menswear — inspired by Ivy attire and the ‘Golden Age’ of tailoring.
Properly kickass knitwear has always been at the core of the brand’s offering; and if the recent ‘Nonpareil’ line of mens sweaters is any indication, that looks set to continue well into the future.
The knit tees and polos come highly recommended, but for our money, you can’t go past the ‘Twenty’: so-called because of the diminutive chest pocket that adorns the style — reportedly big enough to holster a pack of 20 cigarettes.
Knit in a fine but durable gauge and manufactured in Scotland, few options on our list of the best mens jumpers score as highly as the Nonpareil on construction, dollar value, and versatility.
Uniqlo Cashmere Turtleneck Long Sleeve Sweater
DETAILS
- Crewneck style
- Treated with anti-pilling
- Multiple colourways
- 100% cashmere
The landscape of mens jumpers is full of pieces that can break (and oftentimes even decimate) the budget, but you needn’t necessarily drop four figures in order to get ahold of top-notch seasonal layers.
As in the footwear or suiting game, your best bet is invariably to chase a clothier that has sufficient scale and with it buying power: enter stage right, Uniqlo.
One of the best Japanese clothing brands on the market (certainly the most wallet-friendly), it has long been a fan favourite amongst budget-conscious lovers of premium fibres. Suffice to say, bestsellers like this classic, regular-fit turtleneck sweater highlight why.
M.J. Bale ‘Buchanan’ Ashby V-Neck Knit
DETAILS
- Fine-gauge jersey construction
- Single-source Merino wool
- Machine washable
- Multiple colourways
The quest for the ultimate in mens jumpers needn’t necessarily involve thousands of dollars and a Japanese shipping proxy — as this joint from beloved Aussie clothier MJ Bale proves.
Part of the brand’s “single source” knitwear program, the ‘Buchanan’ is knitted using Woolmark-certified Merino wool grown on a family estate in the Tasmanian Midlands.
Details like the (very forgiving) fit and neckline all err on the classical side. To better appreciate this knit’s super-fine handle, we highly recommend trying it out in ‘Hazelnut’. At less than $200 a pop, you can certainly buy multiples.
If you’ve enjoyed this comprehensive guide to all of the mens jumpers that are worth buying this Fall, why not consider checking out some of our other fashion stories?
