The Only Sweaters Worth Buying This Fall, Sorted by Shape

A great sweater is the easiest way to make fall feel official. Throw one on with your favorite jeans or a slip skirt, and the whole outfit instantly looks intentional, like you planned it on Pinterest the night before. This season's knits are especially good. Statement cardigans are back in a big way, and sweater dresses are finally getting the attention they deserve. The trick to shopping without getting lost in an endless scroll is to start with the shape, since a mock neck and a cardigan play completely different roles in your fall wardrobe. So I did the scrolling for you and sorted this season's best sweaters by silhouette, from the cable knits that practically scream apple orchard to the polished turtlenecks that make a Tuesday Zoom call feel like Paris. Fair warning, the good ones sell out fast, so grab your size before everyone else remembers it's sweater season. Here are the only sweaters worth buying this fall, sorted by shape. This article may contain affiliate links or paid partnerships. We may earn a commission or compensation at no extra cost to you. All products are chosen independently by our editorial team and reflect our genuine recommendations. Cable knit Nothing says fall quite like a chunky cable knit, and this year's best versions come in creamy ivory and a rich merlot that pairs perfectly with a pumpkin spice anything. Wear one oversized with straight-leg jeans and loafers, or tuck a fitted one into a plaid midi skirt for peak Rory Gilmore energy. Abercrombie & Fitch Textural Stitch Cable Crewneck Sweater, $48 VICI Collection Ardina Cable Knit Cardigan, $74 Free People Frankie Cable Knit Cotton Sweater, $70 Show Me Your Mumu Chimney Cardigan, $138 VICI Collection Meneah Cable Knit Cardigan, $74 Quince 100% Organic Cotton Cropped Cable Crew Sweater, $50 WISKII Cable Knit Cape Sweater, $128 Abercrombie & Fitch Cable-Knit Poncho, $80 Cardigans The cardigan is the hardest-working layer in any fall closet, and it's the piece I throw on over everything from silk camis to my pajamas. Look for cropped styles with pretty buttons if you're wearing high-rise bottoms, or go longline if you want something to curl up in with a book. Heartloom Delphine Cardi, $129 Mint Velvet Cream Checked Trim Cardigan, $225 VICI Collection Heidi Knit Cardigan, $74 Bohme Emilia Striped Sweater in Brown, $49 Show Me Your Mumu Los Almos Sweater, $168 Boden Belted Wrap Knitted Cardigan, $249 12th Tribe Archie Olive Cropped Cardigan, $78 Heartloom Jessi Cardi, $119 Kiel James Patrick New England Heirloom Cardigan in Harvest Squirrel, $168 Show Me Your Mumu Holland Cardigan, $148 Show Me Your Mumu Edith Cardigan, $198 Turtlenecks A fitted turtleneck is the closest thing to a fall uniform, and it makes even the simplest outfit look like you have your life together. Fine-gauge knits layer beautifully under blazers and slip dresses, while chunkier styles hold their own with jeans and a great pair of boots. Mint Velvet White Cotton Blend Button Detail Jumper, $200 Heartloom Tawny Sweater, $109 12th Tribe Apres Black and White Turtleneck Sweater, $88 VICI Collection Sheila Cable Knit Turtleneck Sweater, $68 Quince Organic Cotton Micro-Rib Turtleneck, $25 12th Tribe Tabitha Dark Taupe Poncho, $84 Mock necks If a full turtleneck makes you feel like you're being gently strangled, the mock neck was made for you. You get the same sleek, polished look with half the fabric at your throat, which makes it perfect for anyone who runs warm. Anthropologie Maeve Carys Mock-Neck Sweater, $98 VICI Collection Ryanne Striped Mock Neck Sweater, $54 For Love & Lemons Fair Isle Sweater, $229 Majorelle Annie Sweater, $138 Quince Mongolian Cashmere Funnel Neck Sweater, $120 Crewnecks The classic crewneck will never go out of style. It's the kind of staple you'll wear on repeat through February, so it's worth being intentional about finding a high-quality piece that won't pill after three washes. Ivy City Co Farm Fresh Sweater in Navy, $98 Petal & Pup Reece Pointelle Sweater, $89 Mint Velvet Neutral Striped Knit Jumper, $225 Ivy City Co Ellis Sweater in Warm Cocoa Lovelorn Ditsy Embroidery, $88 VICI Collection Fresh Season Knit Lace Trim Sweater, $64 For Love & Lemons Arabella Intarsia Pullover Sweater, $187 V-necks The V-neck tends to get overlooked in favor of its crewneck cousin, but it's one of the most flattering necklines out there, especially if you want to elongate your frame. Wear one on its own with a delicate gold necklace, or layer it over a crisp collared shirt for that preppy, back-to-school look. Abercrombie & Fitch Fringe Dad V-Neck Sweater, $40 Boden Collared Cable Knit Sweater, $220 Mint Velvet Neutral Argyle Knit Jumper, $210 WISKII Varsity V-Neck Sweater, $99 P.J. Salvage Cozy Chenille Cable Knit Dark Wine V-Neck Sweater, $90 Sweater dresses A sweater dress is basically permission to wear a cozy knit as your entire outfit, which makes it the easiest thing to throw on for a pumpkin patch date or Friendsgiving. Ribbed midi styles look chic with knee-high boots, and a belt keeps the chunkier ones from swallowing you whole. For Love & Lemons Miranda Knit Mini Dress, $87 12th Tribe Rhetta White Off The Shoulder Sweater Dress, $84 Heartloom Carrie Dress, $119 LOBA Brookelle Mini Dress, $72 Heartloom Ruby Dress, $110 Petal & Pup Daril Dress, $80 Abercrombie & Fitch Turtleneck Cable Midi Sweaterdress, $55 LPA Kavala Sweater Dress, $249 SEROYA Reye Maxi Dress, $298 Wildcards For the girls who like their knits with a little more personality, sweater vests, quarter-zips, asymmetrical cuts, and off-the-shoulder sweaters are the easiest way to elevate your look without trying too hard. Free People Easy Street Vest, $54 WISKII Slim-Fit Cable Knit Zip Cardigan, $118 Heartloom Enly Sweater, $119 12th Tribe Upton Cream Asymmetrical Sweater, $64 For Love & Lemons Merlot Top, $219 Heartloom Wanda Sweater, $109