Is there any garment that signals the turn of the season better than a good sweater? If you’re on the hunt for a well-made sweater to wear over and over again, you can’t go wrong with a good fisherman sweater.
The fisherman sweater’s origins trace back to the guernsey or gansey, a style rooted in British fishing communities. The fisherman’s sweater, or Aran sweater — so named for the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland — came to prominence in the 19th century, and was used by local fishermen as workwear. The sweater is known for its distinctive stitching and patterns, as well as for traditionally being made with Irish wool, which was water-repellant when unwashed thanks to lanolin, a waxy, naturally occurring sheep secretion.
Of course, we’re assuming most folks today are seeking sweaters for cozy comfort rather than for water-based labor — and after all, plenty of shoppers might be averse to wool because of allergies (or its general itchiness). So below, we’ve rounded up sweaters in the fisherman style, with textured patterns that evoke the classic look, in a variety of materials: cotton, cashmere, wool and more. Some of these may skew closer to a simpler cable-knit design than a true fisherman, but regardless, they’re warm, comfortable and stylish. You’ll want to live in these all season long.
Amazon Essentials’ ultra-affordable take on the fisherman sweater
These sweaters are an absolute steal, for $25 or less. Both are made with 100% cotton, which is softer and more breathable than wool (though you’ll lose some of the insulation wool provides). Both also have a classic fisherman pattern and ribbed details at the neckline, cuffs and hem, not to mention thousands of 5-star ratings. The main difference here is in the neckline: the men’s version is a classic crewneck, while the women’s version features a fold-over turtleneck (some reviews for the men’s mention women buying it for themselves too, if you prefer that style). You can try the sweaters in a bunch of colors, in men’s sizes XS-XXL and women’s sizes XS-XXL.
Promising review: “Really nice cotton sweater for the price. It feels very comfortable to wear and is very casual/cozy when worn with jeans. I’ve hand washed and air dried the sweater and didn’t have any issues with it shrinking or stretching. It feels like a piece that’ll actually last a while and get softer and more cozy the more it’s worn. I got a M which is my normal size and this definitely gives off a slightly oversized vibe which is what I wanted. So the fit is as expected.” — Michael
This classic cotton fisherman sweater from L.L. Bean
You can’t go wrong with L.L. Bean’s classic cotton crewneck: Both the men’s and women’s versions have 4.5 stars across hundreds of reviews. With a slim, true-to-size fit, this sweater is great for wearing on its own or underneath a jacket, as shown in the photo here. L.L. Bean is also notable for their wider size range, which includes tall, petite and plus sizes. The women’s sweater only comes in beige right now, but the men’s comes in a handful of other versatile solids. Get a sweater for yourself in men’s sizes S-3XL, or women’s sizes XS-XL.
Promising review: “Beautiful sweater that has come in handy during the winter of 2025-26. Being in the mid-Atlantic region, the cotton fisherman’s sweater is perfect versus the wool version. I’ve worn both this winter.” — AlanS
Or L.L. Bean’s wool options, in varying styles
Of course, L.L. Bean is known for their iconic wool sweaters, and if you want a longer-lasting, more insulated option, it might be worth the extra cost. While there isn’t one style for both men and women, there is a men’s version with a shawl collar, or a cardigan for women. The men’s sweater stands out for its ragg wool flecks, but both are made with a blend of Merino wool, nylon and alpaca wool. Try these out in a couple of colors and men’s sizes S-XXL, or women’s sizes XS-XL.
A well-made unisex Patagonia sweater in a recycled wool blend
For a wool blend crewneck, this time in gender-inclusive sizing, you can try this sweater from Patagonia. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but the outdoor clothing company has designed it to be worth every penny. It’s warm, durable, and has tubular ribbed trim, meaning there are no side seams on the neck, cuffs or hem. This one comes in four colors and sizes XXS-XXL.
Promising review: “Fits like a glove. Probably one of my favorite sweaters of all time. The quality is outstanding, it s fibers stitched together closely so it feels heavy, but doesnt feel heavy on. For me, the fit is perfect . The shoulder seems are accurate, arm length is a little long, but not longer than the cuff so it isn’t an issue. The sweater sits on the hips nicely without bunching out at the sides. I am on the waitlist for blue!” — Kelley
These organic cotton Hope & Henry sweaters for men and women
Just around $50 could get you one of these Hope & Henry sweaters, made with organic cotton. Again, the two versions differ slightly: The men’s style is a true crewneck, while the women’s has a boatneck and drop sleeves. The stitching is different too, with more cables running up and down the men’s sweater. But both are machine-washable, relaxed in fit and oh-so-comfortable. Try the men’s in blue, in sizes S-XL, or the women’s in taupe, in sizes XS-XXL.
J.Crew’s stunning men’s cotton crewneck
How stunning are the patterns on this J.Crew crewneck? Available in festive red, green or blue, this one is practically begging to be worn to Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday party. It’s made with 100% cotton, and one reviewer said it “has a bit of a classic vintage style with a modern twist.” Try it out for yourself in men’s sizes XS-XXL.
A chunky, oversized Amazon find for women
“This sweater is LEGIT. If you’re looking to get far away from plastic acrylic sweaters, this one is 60% cotton and feels like 100% cotton,” one reviewer said of this Trendy Queen women’s sweater, which is currently the No. 1 bestseller among women’s pullover sweaters on Amazon. The boxier, oversized fit gives this an effortless look, and it comes in a wider range of colors than many of the others on this list. (Plus, it’s under $40!) Try it out in women’s sizes XS-3XL.
Promising review: “Obsessed with this sweater! The soft gray tone is so chic and the oversized fit gives that effortless, cozy vibe. It’s the perfect throw-on-and-go piece with leggings but still looks elevated. Super soft, great quality, and such a good staple for fall/winter.” — Miko Johnson
A men’s Lands’ End sweater made from a cotton wool blend
If you’d like to opt for a blend of cotton and wool, this Lands’ End men’s sweater has that classic fisherman look with a cable-knit texture, raglan sleeves, and ribbing on the neck, cuffs and hem. The wool also adds some noticeable flecks in the fabric to give it a more natural appearance. This one comes in four colors, and men’s sizes S-XXL, as well as tall sizing options.
P.S.: Use code FRIENDSNFAM to get the full discount of over 50% off.
An oversized women’s sweater that looks straight out of the ’90s
This sweater is made with an acrylic/synthetic blend, and has a drapey, oversized silhouette. It features cable stitching on the front, though the back is plain; there’s also ribbing on the neck, cuffs and hem. This one comes in a bunch of colors and women’s sizes XS-XXL.
Promising review: “OMG, I have been searching for years for this oversized lounge sweater! I found it on AMAZON!!!!! This sweater feels and wears like it came out of some high end store for rich and famous people who can afford $500 dollar or more garments. This sweater is extremely soft and right on the money as far as how I wanted it to fit. It lays just right, I am 5’3 130lbs and I only wish I could afford a medium in every color. You will not be disappointed, I promise you!” — Molly Choat