It may not feel like Fall with 70 degree weather in San Francisco, but in other parts of the country it is definitely sweater weather. Just because it’s warm outside, doesn’t mean we aren’t already stocking our closets with cozy sweaters so that we are prepped when the chilly temps finally arrive.

Have you noticed that this year’s sweater don’t seem quite as soft as usual? We have… and we’ve made it our mission to ditch the itch and find the softest sweaters around. Read on for our top picks and what to look for when shopping.

Stay Stylish,
M&K

Fall’s Softest Sweaters

Budget Friendly Sweaters

Splurge Worthy Sweaters

The Canvas Sweater Shopping Guide

Check the Fabrication

To cut costs, we’ve noticed more than a few brands have been shuffling the fiber content of their sweaters. The Sweater Cardigan Kimberly bought last fall has been replaced with a lighter weight “all season” one. While this is true, the reality is its no longer 100% wool but a cheaper blend.

All manufacturers are legally required to list fiber content on clothing labels, along with wash and care instructions. For sweaters you often get what you pay for. Review the fiber percentages and they will often reflect the itch factor. Longer, stronger and more valuable fibers will be reflected in a price point so invest wisely.

ProTip: Everyone has their own degree of comfort, but watch wool (non merino), alpaca, and synthetics. These will also influence the breathability --aka the heat factor.

Keep Ahead of Pilling

Lately we’ve noticed that sweaters by one of our favorite brands Vince. have not been holding up. After one wear, even the 100% cashmere styles pill. The hard truth is that most sweaters will pill a bit after initial wear, but finer quality will hold up. Excessive pilling can be a quality issue resulting from a poor fiber or production.

To avoid pilling, hand wash or dry clean your sweaters to cut down on abrasion. Also invest in a good sweater-shaver, a tool that runs over the surface of the fabric and slices the pills off. Just be sure to avoid using it too often since it can compromise the integrity of the fabric.

Invest In Trends Wisely

While we love a good fashion statement and novel trick, we recommend buying wisely when investing in sweaters. This year many of the options are boxy with overwhelming bell or lantern sleeves. While some hit high on the cool factor, we recommend limiting the investment and going with a budget friendly version (Because, really how do you type on a keyboard with these styles?!) For cashmere sweaters, we recommend opting for a classic silhouette with a modern twist. This year the deep v and roll neck collar is popular and universal enough to last a few years.

ProTip: When purchasing cashmere sweaters, consider going up a size to accommodate for garment shrink when dry cleaning.