I Practically Live in Sweaters—The Three I Can't Stop Wearing

Even before winter officially began, here in New York City we all collectively agreed that it was officially brick. If you’re unfamiliar with that terminology, it’s how we refer to the type of biting cold that feels like it's going to freeze your face off the moment you step outside.

Living in a city where we all spend at least some time outdoors (during our commute, picking up a coffee, hitting up the bodega on the corner), fashion without function has to take a backseat. It’s all about cozy, cozy, cozy when it comes to getting dressed this time of year.

For me, that means practically living in sweaters. I’ve noticed my approach to this category has changed in recent years: I used to have a massive collection of cheapie synthetic knits, but I've come to realize that they don’t hold up over time. So, lately, I’ve been trying to invest in better sweaters, with a focus on pieces I will be able to wear year after year, whether that’s from cool indie designers or luxe-for-less brands (Vintage is also a great option, but, as any thrifter knows, secondhand sweaters in good shape aren't easy to find in general, let alone in plus sizes!)

I’ve rounded up some great sweaters to shop now if you're looking for quality, but also knits that are actually cool and cute.

The Quince Fisherman Knit

I love a good wool sweater as much as the next girl, but the inherent scratchiness is a real factor to reckon with. I can handle it sometimes, but in certain moods, the sensory input of actively feeling my sweater on my skin is just too much. So, finding a thick, heavyweight, pure cotton sweater has been a personal game-changer. It gives you the same warmth and breathability as wool, but none of the textural issues. And when we’re in the winter weather trenches, it has enough of a heft to feel like a light hug all day long.

This classic fisherman crewneck from Quince ticks all of those boxes. I love the clean lines of the rib knit, the boxy silhouette that still manages to show some of my shape, and the fact that it consistently keeps my top half warm, even when the rest of me is freezing. (I’m talking protecting me from the types of cold winds that I can even feel through denim.)

I found this sweater to be true to size, fitting just right in my usual 2x. The price point is also fantastic—less than $50 for a 100% cotton sweater at this weight and quality feels like an absolute steal. The only downside: Some colors sell out fast, so if you see the hue you want, don’t hesitate, or you might have to wait months for a restock (like I had to with this gorgeous forest green).

The Rachel Antonoff Statement Sweater

As much as I love a good versatile piece like the Quince sweater, I'm an eccentric dresser, and that applies to my sweater wardrobe. But it gets a lot harder to find statement knits in natural fibers when you aren’t straight-sized, so I always have a special place in my heart for Rachel Antonoff, whose delightfully weird designs come in sizes up to 3x.

By Rachel Antonoff standards, a beloved New York City cookie motif is pretty tame. (The designer is famous for her anatomically correct uterus sweaters, after all.) But I love it for situations where I want more of a wink-and-nod vibe. And it's doing everything a great heavy cotton sweater needs to, with a cute cropped length and fitted silhouette that looks especially great paired with wide leg jeans (like these from Ashley Graham’s collection for JC Penney).

The Universal Standard Off-the-Shoulder Sweater

Showing any skin feels moderately risky when it's this cold, but that doesn’t mean I always want to be completely covered-up. Enter: this off-the-shoulder sweater from size-inclusive favorite Universal Standard. The adjustable neckline gives me the option to keep it a classic boatneck or go for a slouchy off-the-shoulder vibe. It's also a little longer—not quite a tunic, but definitely long enough on me that it looks great with leggings for a cozy, casual, loungewear-adjacent look.

Speaking of coziness, this is one of the softest sweaters in my collection. It's made from Universal Standard’s proprietary “Better than Wool” yarn, meant to have all the warmth of wool without the scratchiness. And, after months of repeat wear, I can confirm that Universal Standard delivered: The medium-weight sweater is super soft and feels great worn against bare skin. (No need for an underlayer if you don’t want one.) It still looks pretty much new, with no pilling, even in areas that are usually prone to it, like the underside of my arms. And if this fabric sounds good to you but this silhouette isn’t your style, the brand has a a zip-up cardigan and a fine rib knit dolman sleeve pullover made using the same material.

The Sweaters I Have My Eye on...

If none of these are quite what you are looking for, here are some more quality sweaters I’ve been eyeing (all of which make great gifts!).