We’ve all been there: Standing in front of your closet trying to get dressed for the day, staring at a mountain of sweaters, and still thinking, “None of these are right.” One is too itchy, one is too tight, one has a weird hem, one doesn’t hit at the right place. In my 29 years of life as a woman, I still don’t feel like I’ve cracked the code to finding the best crewneck sweater.
So, I scrolled TikTok and Pinterest, read reviews, and asked around to build a list of 10 crewneck sweaters I could try in search of the perfect, capsule-worthy piece. Although I’m a budget-friendly shopper at heart, I don’t mind investing when it makes sense, like when I’m after something I can have forever.
Below, you’ll find all of my honest thoughts on 10 classic crewneck sweaters for women, each with the potential to fill that elusive hole in my wardrobe. I found some great options, including a budget-friendly winner, a splurge-worthy investment, and everything in between—and some flops along the way. Scroll on to discover what’s worth adding to your closet.
What Makes a Sweater Worthy of a Capsule Wardrobe?
If you’re a long-time reader of The Everygirl, you know we love a capsule wardrobe. The idea behind it is that you have a curated selection of pieces you can mix and match in any given season. This is not to say we don’t love supplementing with fun trends, but you can think of capsule wardrobes as your fashion foundation. The goal is to have a base of a few key pieces you can always rely on. So when it comes to capsule wardrobe sweaters, you’ll want to look for timeless knitwear and quality basics that you’ll never get sick of.
The Parameters for My Review
I’ve been a fashion fanatic my whole life. But in the past couple years, I’ve become a bit more picky about what I spend my money on. Unless I’m absolutely obsessed with something or it’s for a specific occasion, I try to shy away from synthetic fibers. At the very least, I have made it my mission to not over-spend on polyester. That’s why I set out to do this review in the first place. I wanted to find capsule-worthy sweaters to add to my closet that will actually last. So, here’s what I was looking for in my hunt for the best crewneck sweater for women:
- Made from natural fibers: cotton, cashmere, and/or wool
- Wearable: easy to style, great fit, soft
- Slouchier, oh-I-just-threw-this-on-from-my-boyfriend’s-closet silhouette
- Looks good layered with a tee
- In an ideal world, under $150—but I did include some splurges here
I typically wear a size large or extra large, but I prefer my clothes a bit roomier. So for consistency’s sake, I got all of these sweaters in a size XL.
The Crewneck Sweaters I Tried
Below, I’m sharing my honest review of 10 crewneck sweaters that I thought might check all my boxes. I included options from household names like Gap, Aritzia, Everlane, and L.L. Bean. I also tried some of the internet’s favorites: Quince, NADAAM, and perfectwhitetee. Oh, and if you’re wondering what white tee I tried them all on with, it’s the Free Assembly Cropped Boxy Tee, which is $8 and 100% cotton (see, natural fibers aren’t always a splurge!).
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater
Pros: Low price, good color selection
Cons: Not the biggest fan of the hem
Quince’s Cotton Boyfriend Sweater falls somewhere in the middle for me. I think its price point is incredible at just $40, and it has almost 7,000 glowing reviews. It has quite a few gorgeous colors to choose from (I’m eyeing Herb Green). My only issue with this sweater is the hem. It’s slightly higher in the front than in the back, which creates a sort of U-shape. This might be personal preference, but to me, this makes it kind of hard to style. I find myself putting this on with certain outfits and then swapping it out because it just doesn’t sit right (if you’re on the taller side, this might not be an issue). I will say that I’ve had this for over three years, so I think mine has gotten stretched a bit.
READ: Are Quince’s Affordable Pieces Really Worth It? Our Editors Investigated
- 10 colors available
- sizes XS – XL
- 100% organic cotton
- $39.90
Everlane The Boxy Sweater in Everyday Cotton
Pros: Pretty ribbed details, lots of colors and patterns, soft and high-quality
Cons: Higher price point
A few members of our team absolutely love this sweater, and I definitely agree with them. It has a near-perfect boxy fit and gorgeous ribbed details. It also comes in 11 colors and patterns, including a few different stripes. At $118, it falls in the middle of the pack price-point-wise. It’s worth noting, however, that it’s made from 100% organic cotton, and Everlane prioritizes sustainable practices. I am not obsessed with the stripes on myself, but that is definitely a personal problem.
- 11 colors and patterns available
- sizes XXS – XXXL
- 100% organic cotton
- $118
Gap 100% Cotton Oversized Sweater
Pros: Fair price, good color selection
Cons: A little too long
When I first put this on, I thought it was very comfy. I do love the slightly chunkier knit that creates a more comfy-casual look. However, when I look back at this photo, I think it looks like it just swallowed me up. Perhaps I would’ve been better off with a size large, but I do think the length contributes to the issue and I might’ve benefited from ordering petite as well. However, I am 5-foot-3, so keep that in mind. This sweater is $80 but often on sale, so I do think it has good value. Plus, I think it’s the only option on this list that comes in petite and tall!
- 7 colors available
- sizes XXS – XXL; comes in petite and tall
- 100% cotton
- $79.95 (often on sale)
NADAAM Cotton Relaxed Crewneck Sweater
Pros: Soft and high-quality, great shorter option
Cons: High price point
There’s something about this particular cotton sweater that puts it above the rest of the pack of investment options to me. As soon as I put it on, I could feel the quality—it’s insanely soft, but has a sturdy knit that’s the perfect balance of lightweight and substantial. It felt comfortable on my skin all day long, which is sometimes hard to find in a sweater. It’s a great option to have in my rotation when I want something shorter and more polished. This shade of navy is especially stunning, and I love the red option as well.
- 5 colors available
- sizes XXS – XXL
- 100% organic Tanguis cotton
- $168 (currently on sale for $118)
Gap Factory Relaxed Cropped Crewneck Sweater
Pros: Under $40 but feels more expensive, great color options
Cons: Not as oversized as I would like
This $36 sweater can hold its own with the $150+ options on this list. In addition to this capsule-worthy black, it comes in a few gorgeous cable-knit options (perfect for the holidays) and some fun stripes. It has “cropped” in the name, and it does feel more fitted than some of the others on this list. I almost think I could’ve sized up again for the boxier fit I was hoping for, but this silhouette definitely serves a purpose in my wardrobe. The neck is also slightly higher than some of the other options I tried. Overall, I do prefer this one to the Quince one that’s a similar price point.
- 12 colors and patterns available
- sizes XS – XXL
- 100% cotton
- $60 (always on sale)
perfectwhitetee Janet Cotton Boxy Crewneck Sweater
Pros: Women-owned small business, 20 gorgeous color options, great fit
Cons: High price point
I was wearing this around some friends, who immediately said, “OMG, that is a gorgeous sweater,” and I have to agree. As someone who looks better in cooler tones, this is the perfect brown shade for me (which I haven’t seen anywhere else). This is also the only sweater I’m wearing in size large, so know that your typical size will already have that slouchy, boxy fit I was looking for.
At $198, it is absolutely a splurge—especially for cotton. However, I’d love to point out that perfectwhitetee is a women-owned small business, which operates out of family-owned factories in the U.S. and imports only 10% of their materials. They also focus heavily on the perfect fit (hence the name), and have an easy 45-day return policy. So if you’re looking for something that’s more slow fashion, this could be a great option for you.
- 20 colors available
- sizes XS – XL
- 100% cotton
- $198
L.L. Bean Cotton Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Pros: Very soft, fair price, one year return policy, extended size range
Cons: Odd fit, not a fan of the split high-low hem
I had high hopes for this sweater after seeing its $80 price point for a cotton-cashmere blend. And it did deliver in some respects: It’s incredibly soft, comes in sizes XS-3X (and petite), and a good option if you like a more lightweight sweater. It’s also one that you can machine wash and dry flat. However, there’s just something about it that makes me feel like it would be a better fit in my mom’s closet than my own (which is not an insult, Mom, if you’re reading this). I think it’s the combination of the length, slimmer fit, and split hem that creates a high-low situation that makes this not quite what I was looking for.
- 9 colors available
- sizes XS – 3X; also comes in petite
- 95% cotton with 5% cashmere
- $79.95
Aritzia Isabelle Wool Cashmere Sweater
Pros: Lays perfectly with a tee, so soft, best fit
Cons: Higher price point, recommended hand wash
I am so sorry, girls. As much as I hoped a more budget-friendly option would take the cake, I have to tell you that this $138 Aritzia sweater really is everything and more. I audibly gasped when I put this on (ask anyone who works in our office—they were there). It has a softness that I can’t even put into words. I have worn many a wool or cashmere sweater that has been itchy as hell, but not this one.
The fit is also a 10/10 for me. It’s just the right amount of boxy without being too oversized (I’m looking at you, Gap). I really appreciate the shape of the sleeve, which is full but tapered. The cut of the neckline also gets major points in my book, as it sits perfectly with my white tee with no adjustments required. And with 70% wool and 30% cashmere, I can confidently say this is worth a bit of a splurge. I would even get it in more colors. My only qualm is that hand wash is recommended, but that’s kind of par for the course with cashmere. I usually get away with as-needed washes on a delicate cycle.
READ: Sweater Weather Is Upon Us: Here’s How to Keep Yours Looking Brand-New
- 15 colors and patterns available
- sizes 2XS – XL
- 70% wool, 30% cashmere
- $138
Everlane Boxy Crewneck in Cashmere
Pros: Very soft and warm, perfect boxy fit, blend on 70% recycled and 30% responsible cashmere
Cons: Higher price point, recommended hand wash
I wore this on a chilly fall day recently, and it kept me so warm and cozy. It’s super soft without being itchy (major points for cashmere). I’ve been loving to wear this particular sweater as part of a monochrome look—with dark jeans or navy trousers—and it feels very polished and chic to me. This is the same Everlane sweater I tried above in cotton, so it also has that perfect boxy fit and stunning ribbed details. As with all cashmere sweaters, the care commitment is something to consider.
- 10 colors and patterns available
- sizes XXS – XXL
- 100% cashmere (70% recycled)
- $228
NADAAM Signature Cashmere Raglan Crewneck Sweater
Pros: Great fit, extended size range
Cons: Itchy, thin
OK, so looking back at this photo, this sweater looks fantastic. And it does have a lot of potential. If you prefer a thinner sweater—which I think could be great if you’re someone who loves cashmere but runs hot—and don’t mind the itchiness, this is a great option. Itchiness isn’t a huge deal-breaker for me as it can be easily solved with a long-sleeve tee, but just be aware that that’s what you’re signing up for. I do love the fit of this sweater, and that it comes in sizes XXS to 3X.
- 4 colors available
- sizes XXS – 3X
- 100% cashmere
- $218 (currently on sale for $152)
The Verdict: The Best Crewneck Sweaters for Women
Although I made it pretty clear which sweaters I loved, I do think there is some personal preference involved. Taking into account budget, preferences on washing and material, and desired fit, a “winner” might be different for everyone. So here’s the TL;DR of what I think are the best options:
- Best overall: Aritzia Isabelle Wool Cashmere Sweater
- Best budget-friendly option: Gap Factory Relaxed Cropped Crewneck Sweater
- Best investment cotton: NADAAM Cotton Relaxed Crewneck Sweater
- Best investment cashmere: Everlane Boxy Crewneck in Cashmere
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
