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8 Sweater Styles to Know: From Aran to Zip

Get to know the most common sweater styles with this handy rundown that features a range of quality makers for each style.

James Smith

When it comes to winter layering, the sweater is king. And when the cold starts to set in, it’s time to stop tinkering in t-shirts and start rolling with the roll necks.

Knitted for cold weather comfort, the sweater—like many other staples—comes in many forms. So, with colders seasons in mind, we’re dishing out a rundown of the key types of sweater styles, along with a selection of makers for each style.

Crewneck

As classic as they come, the crewneck sweater has a crew neckline that makes it highly versatile. Typically, crewneck sweaters have ribbing at the hem and cuffs. Due to the simple construction of the crewneck, these sweaters are easily produced in a wide variety of knits from smooth Merino wool to fuzzy Mohair renditions.

The ubiquitous ‘Shaggy Dog’ sweater —made famous by J. Press in the 1960s — falls into this category.

Notable makers include:

• S.N.S. Herning 

• Howlin’ by Morrison

• Harley of Scotland

• Malloch’s

• Jamieson’s

• American Trench

• Filippo De Laurentiis

• Chamula

• Alex Mill

• Heimat

V-Neck

V-neck sweaters feature a lower, v-shaped neckline. Like the crewneck, V-neck sweaters usually feature ribbing and at the hem and cuffs, however, they can also come in sleeveless sweater-vest form. For a strong ivy league look, you can pair a v-neck sweater with an oxford shirt and some slacks.

Notable makers include:

• Malloch’s

• Howlin’

• The Real McCoy’s

• Jamieson’s

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Zip Sweater

Zip sweaters come in many forms, each with their own level of versatility. Quarter-zip sweaters feature a zipped closure which can be unzipped and folded down to form a collar, or zipped up to create a high tube neck.

Full zip sweaters can be zipped up tight or worn open as a light outer-layer and feature a ribbed or pointed collar. The list goes on. Zip sweaters are more likely to feature added pockets and brands can get creative with different zip pulls for extra detail.

Notable makers include:

• Andersen-Andersen

• S.N.S. Herning

• Chamula

• Beams Plus

Fair Isle Sweater

Originating in Fair Isle,  a small island in the north of Scotland, Fair Isle knitting features unique patterns that repeat in sequence. Although traditional Fair Isle knitting uses specific needles and techniques, the term has been generalized and applied to sweaters with multi-colored knitted patterns that resemble traditional Fair Isle pieces.

However, many brands still honor tradition by having their Fair Isle sweaters hand knitted in Scotland using traditional methods. Often bright and bold, Fair Isle sweaters are synonymous with the festive season.

Notable makers include:

• Jamieson’s

• Drake’s

• Chamula

• Fjällräven

Cardigan

Cardigans are collarless knitted sweaters that have an open front. Typically, the open front has buttons for opening and closing the cardigan which often leads up to a v-neckline finish. As versatile layering pieces, cardigans are made in many different knits and can also feature pockets, often at the hip.

Notable makers include:

• Corridor NYC

• Beams Plus

• Norse Projects

• The Real McCoy’s

• Jelado

• Lost & Found

• 3sixteen

• Dehen 1920

Shawl Cardigan

Shawl cardigans are similar in construction to conventional cardigans, but they feature a rolled neckline that forms a folded, round collar, hence the name. In addition, shawl neck cardigans often feature a chunkier knit that makes for a more substantial garment that can be worn as an outer layer. Shawl necks can also be applied to pullover sweaters.

Notable makers include:

• Dehen 1920

• S.N.S. Herning 

• Inverallan

• Schott NYC

• RRL

Fisherman

Traditionally known as Aran sweaters due to their creation on the Aran Islands of the west coast of Ireland, Fisherman Sweaters utilize a mix of highly textured knitted patterns such as a cable knit to create a chunky, rugged sweater. Originally, these highly textured knits were made from unscoured wool that still contained natural oils, adding a measure of water resistance to the garment. These days, the term ‘fisherman’ is applied to sweaters with thick, highly textured knitting patterns.

Notable makers include:

• S.N.S Herning 

• Chamula

• Inverallan

• Malloch’s

• Peregrine

• Barbour

Turtle/Roll Necks

The terms ‘Turtleneck’ and ‘roll neck’ Seem to be used interchangeably these days, but what we;re deaing with here is a sweater with a high, close-fitting collar that folds over and covers the neck.

They’re not for everyone, but roll necks are super warm and eliminate the need for a scarf in cold, windy weather. Made popular in the late fifties, the turtleneck sweater became a beatnik essential and was famously donned by Steve McQueen in the 1970 movie, Bullitt. They make for great layering pieces underneath overshirts or coats.

Notable makers include:

• Andersen-Andersen

• Malloch’s

• Alex Mill

• Chamula

• Universal Works

• Heimat

If you want to know more about the different kinds of wool used to construct these kinds of sweaters, check out Know Your Wools: Cashmere, Lambswool, Angora and More