Favorite Layering Sweaters? - YouLookFab Forum

Okay, so I'd promised myself I'd stay away from knitwear this season, but it turns out I have a real gap in my wardrobe: lightweight layering sweaters. This wasn't a category I really needed while living in the Southwest, where I almost always defaulted to a thick chunky sweater with a shirt underneath when it was cold enough to need a topper. I never really needed an extra insulating layer. Now that I'm back in New England, I'm remembering how useful thin sweaters can be under a jacket a or blazer.

I know folks on here love the Jcrew merino (Tippi, etc.) but I've also heard they pill. I'm very drawn to the vibrant deep red Uniqlo is doing this season (See Finds). I'm also considering Everlane and Woolovers. I'll default to merino, but I'm open to cashmere/merino blends, cotton/cashmere, merino/silk, etc. Hoping to keep the price well under $100. Any other options I should look at? My preference is for v-necks, because I find it easier to wear a collared top underneath and I like the neckline on its own as well, but I'm not opposed to crewnecks, turtlenecks, etc.

J.Crew

Merino wool V-neck sweater

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UNIQLO

Women's Extra Fine Merino Wool V-neck Sweater

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Everlane

The Luxe Wool V-Neck

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8 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I don't know what they have at the moment, because I'm consciously NOT clicking onto their website, but Banana Republic often has a nice selection of thin pull overs like this. I have some in merino, and some in silk. Keep your eyes open if they don't have any now, they do pop up. (Find is from a couple of years ago)

Banana Republic

V-Neck Pullover

Diana

I like the uniqlo ones. They look and feel nice and are cheap (but they look and feel much more expensive) and always available so can always be replaced.

My absolute favorite material for thin layering sweaters is actually merino/silk or cashmere/silk (the merino or cashmere keeps it soft and the silk adds strength and sheen) but they are hard to find. I haven't seen any recently.

Author Linda

I second merino/silk or cashmere/silk blends. They are lightweight, warm, and pill less than pure wool.

I've had excellent luck with Lands End cashmere sweaters. Mine have lasted so well I haven't looked to see what price they're at this year. They're usually less expensive than many other brands for cashmere and LE quality is good.

I bought a Madewell merino sweater last year for under $100, but the darn thing developed a hole after two wearings. So disappointed! I can't swear it wasn't a moth, though, so Madewell might be a place to look. I really liked the sweater.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

I've got several in this category, but they're all cotton or rayon or blends, since I don't wear wool. Silk, maybe, too - silk knits were very hip a few years ago but seem to have become less common. A lot of mine were Merona brand from Target, or thrifted from various places.

Boden has a line of sweaters that are mostly cotton with a hint of cashmere that might work. I'd also check the discount stores - for some reason, in my area at least, a lot of Marshall's, TJ Maxx, etc., carry those lightweight sweaters.

RobinF

Wow, those Uniqlo ones are a great price for merino wool. I had never heard of them until YLF, I think I need to seriously check them out.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Uniqlo's are good; I find their sizing smaller than other brands. I will buy mediums from them and smalls from just about everyone else.

tulle

I second all the brands mentioned above, and would add Zara and Pure. Both specify the weights of their sweater yarns, which can be helpful.

Staysfit

Strange about the J Crew Tippi's and pilling. I haven't had that problem? I wonder if it has to do with fit, or what else you wear with them? Maybe even daily activities?

viva

The uniqlo's look terrific, but I will add that, like Staysfit, I have not had pilling with my Tippis (only have two, and don't wear them to death, but still).

LaPed

Thanks all!

Viva and Staysfit -- that's good to know about the Tippis, because they come in such great colors. I can't remember where I read that, but I always take merino reviews with a grain of salt anyway. I know there are a lot of people out there new to wool care who don't bother reading the label.

Re: silk blends. Yeah! I used to have a cotton-silk sweater set that I wore to death. The sheen was just spectacular. I really like wool-silk blends too. The do seem to last much longer than 100% wool. Not sweaters, but I really like the merino-silk baselayers from Calida -- they're often available heavily marked down on Sierra Trading Post. Important winter layering pieces for me.

My local TJ Maxx had a lot of cashmere on offer the last time I was in, but the prices still seemed high to me -- everything was well over $100. I may have to wait until later in the season to see if they lower the prices some more. That's a lot to spend on sweaters from brands I've never heard of.

Traci

I just got an order in from Uniqlo and it included the v neck merino cardigan in that red color. It's perfection. I bought it for exactly the same thing you are looking for, a thin but warm layer under jackets. The color is very true to my screen too. I also bought the medium gray one. They're so lovely I'm having to sit on my thumbs to avoid buying up every color.

I also have a few of the jcrew tipi sweaters due to some irresistible sales. I passed them on to my daughter due to the neckline. It hits higher on me than it seems to on the models, just covering my collar bones. V neck or more of a scoop are just way more flattering on me. I haven't washed them yet to see about pilling. I did have another tipi a few years ago and had no problems with pilling, although it did keep getting overlooked and washed and dried in the machine. Another bonus for the Uniqlo is I believe they are machine washable.

Good to know, Traci! I have a red v-neck on the way. The price and color are both irresistible.

catseye

I like the uniqlo ones. The one bad thing about them is that they are not very durable. I have some develop little holes. Just be very careful with washing. I thought I washed all of them in bags but maybe I did not. It is really a shame because they actually looked great after repeated washing.

Having said that, I still continue to buy them. The quality/look is still very good for the price.

Roxanna

I have about 15 Tippis and love them, but I would say the qality is not as high as some other merino sweaters and they sometimes pill after a season of a lot of wear. I hade one Theory merino v neck which was exceptional quality that I loved, but they are very pricey!

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