Next time you’re shopping for a high-quality sweater, you might want to double-check the care tag, because chances are, you might not be paying for the fabric quality that is fully advertised.
Fashion sleuths recently took to social media, implicating a popular brand’s “pink tax” on women’s sweaters. If you’re looking for the Spark Notes version of Sweatergate: a wool-poly-blend sweater in the women’s section was priced at around $90, while a 100% merino wool sweater in the men’s section is marked at the same price.
However, shoppers looking for women’s sweaters can still find options made from 100% merino wool, cashmere and cotton that are long-lasting, affordable, and worth it... you just have to take a few extra seconds to double-check the fabric tabs.
To help save you some time this sweater-weather season, we’re rounding up our top 100% wool, cashmere and cotton sweaters that are high-quality, long-lasting and not in the men’s section. Below you’ll see trendy editor-favorite sweaters from Gap, J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic Factory and more — all under $100.
The best 100% wool sweaters to shop
I [Garlin] have a couple of cardigans from Banana Republic in various fabrics and I found them to be well-made and easy to launder. If you’re looking for a bargain, Banana Republic Factory often has great markdowns scattered throughout its site, such as this 100% merino wool cardigan for nearly 70% off.
Boat neck sweaters have been trending this fall season for their classic design and versatile wear. This wool piece is lightweight, making it perfect for layering under a vest or over a button-down shirt.
Amazon has high-quality and 100% wool fabric sprinkled in its fall fashion categories. This crew neck sweater from the Shop TODAY-favorite brand Anrabess is touted for its quality and comfort. We also love the various hues of brown, which is a color palette guaranteed to trend during autumn.
This crew neck 100% merino wool sweater has a classic silhouette that you can match with a variety of outfits, from denim to midi skirts. L.L. Bean reviewers love this option for its fabric quality and softness.
If you look on Abercrombie’s website, you’ll find that the brand does sell 100% merino wool sweaters in women’s silhouettes at similar pricing to menswear (although as noted in the viral video, their wool blend pieces run at similar pricing — make sure to double-check the tag!). This style is $90 and has a mock neck style that’s extra cozy for fall.
The best 100% cashmere sweaters to shop
Quince is a popular editor-loved brand known for its high-quality fabric at an affordable price. This sweater tee is made from 100% Mongolian cashmere with shades starting under $45.
Quince offers another $50 cashmere find that is worth adding to your cart. Its timeless crew neck design and high-quality fabric will have you wearing it for years to come.
Commerce editor Vivien Moon says she has a top from Naadam and says that it’s “a brand that has great cashmere.” This under-$100 find is versatile and can be layered over shirts or under coats without excess bulk.
This Uniqlo bestseller comes in an impressive number of colorways to choose from. Reviewers say the 100% cashmere fabric is lightweight yet warm, and “feels great against the skin.”
The best 100% cotton sweaters to shop
Old Navy’s 100% cotton sweater is said to be cozy and the right weight for cold weather. At under $40 and over 10 colorways, you’ll want to grab multiple options for the season.
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy is a huge fan of Gap’s cotton sweaters. “They have so many good 100% cotton picks! This sweater is comfortable, cozy and no fuss,” says McCarthy. “[It’s] heavy enough to wear on a chilly day, but not so thick that I’m sweating after putting it on.”
“To say I’m obsessed would be a complete understatement. I just bought this sweater and I already want to wear it every single day,” says partnerships editor Kara Quill about this 100% cotton sweater. “The cut is perfectly oversized and you could size down to have a slightly more tailored look. The fabric is also cozy and perfect for layering. It’s the perfect trendy ‘90s sweater!”
The puff sleeves and geometric design of this sweater tee make it a fun and trendy option for the season. It’ll complement a variety of denim options, from a light wash mom style to brown barrel jeans.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. Products for the best 100% wool, cotton and cashmere sweaters were chosen by Garlin and members of the Shop TODAY team based on personal experience with products from the included brands.
Shop TODAY reached out to the brand highlighted in the viral video for a statement, but there is no comment as of the publication of this article.
