It’s officially sweater weather. Here’s 10 to wear
It's time to give your arms something to wear
By 
A WINDOW COVERED in condensation in the morning hates to hear me say, “sweater weather”. Indeed, the mornings are crisper and you’re clutching your bare arms. Although the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has declared El Niño over and we’re set for a “new normal with a mild winter”, sweaters (or ‘jumpers’ around these parts) are an essential layer. (If you’re unsure of your terminology, a sweater is to a jumper what an eggplant is to an aubergine.)
What we advise to you, dear reader, in your pursuit of the perfect jumper this season, is to pay close attention to how it sits on the body. Movement is key here; pay attention to how these mid-layers hug and sit on your shoulders. Raglan crewnecks are an interesting construction, its sleeves are stitched onto the rest of the body. This is different from tops where the sleeve meets the shoulders; the seam won’t shoot up into a point when you raise your arms (this isn’t Rick Owens).
Over the summer, dropped shoulders in shirting are allowing men to feel more relaxed, and we’re seeing that with jumpers and knits (which should not fit tight unless you want to wear a furnace). Our rule of thumb when it comes to fabrics is to stick with natural fibres. Think wool, cashmere and cotton-blends. Not only is it moisture wicking, but your natural body heat will mould the fibres to the contours of your upper body – taking on your shape. Oh, and don’t be afraid of colour. The sky’s already going to be grey, so why wear it too?
Recently, we surveyed the market for the best men’s jumpers around, from trusty quarter-zips to trendy cuts and luxurious cashmeres.
The best men’s jumpers in 2025
Uniqlo 100% Premium Lambswool Long Sleeve Crew Neck Jumper
Tadashi Yanai, Uniqlo’s founder and CEO, likes to call his brand a tech company. The Japanese juggernaut is of course known for its technologically infused basics (Heattech is an essential with a jumper), but don’t sleep on their natural fibre garments. Their most popular T-shirt, the supima cotton, is made in India, for instance. Their lambswool jumpers feature that raglan sleeve we talked about earlier for optimal movement. Plus, the line dabbles in brighter pops of colours, for those brave enough to fend off not just the cold but the envy of others! “I wish I could pull off chartreuse,” a coworker might say.
Entire Studios Black Box Jumper
You wouldn’t know it to look at it, but the creative minds behind LA-based cult label Entire Studios have their roots in New Zealand. The duo, Sebastian Hunt and Dylan Richards Diaz, have come a long way; they count the most paparazzied people in the world as return customers. With their training as stylists, none perhaps understand proportions better. Known for their boxy cuts, this jumper is cropped at the waist and features a dropped shoulder that’s all-around roomy yet still flattering as you dodge the paps on a trip to the grocery store – as one does.
Champion Reverse Weave Jumper
An icon to the Champion brand is their grey jumper. Worn by top athletes, rappers and Kanye West, its a 100 year old relic that’s transcended culture and style tribes. Their reverse weave is their specialty, designed for durability and to resist shrinkage.
Nike Fleece Crewneck Jumper
For the best Nike men’s jumper out there, the fleece crewneck is unbeatable. Extra soft on the inside, the American sports brand isn’t one to shy away from bold colourways (they also have a great range of neutrals, too). Looking for something for the gym, this is one to chuck on for those 6 am call times – or earlier if you’re Ashton Hall.
Scotch & Soda Dropped Shoulder Jumper
Dropped shoulder everything is the look of late – this makes your clothing sit comfortably without looking oversized. A charcoal grey knit to wear this to the office or on a leisurely walk in the crisp air for a coffee. And if you find yourself non-committal to a turtleneck under a blazer (it is a look, we won’t lie) this jumper from Scotch & Soda feature a mock neck – not quite there yet but higher than a crewneck. You know, to change things up a little.
COS Wool and Cotton-Blend Half-Zip Men’s Jumper
Quarter-zip jumpers are an interesting one. With the Esquire office being within the vicinity of our country’s financial hub, we see a lot of banker bros in skin tight merino wool quarter-zips. This is not the way. Knitwear, in essence, should sit with some room to let the warm air circulate from the sleeves to the body. This one from COS features a wider weave for a heavier feel. It features a substantial collar too that encases as far as the chin.
SFTM x Adidas 005 Crew Jumper
Cult Aussie label Song For The Mute’s new collaboration with Adidas was inspired by pastoral living. Their jumper for the collection is made from a soft cotton and cut into an oversized fit. Featuring the sportswear brand’s iconic three stripes, the focal point is the silhouetted artwork on the torso.
Bassike Universal Wool Cashmere Men’s Jumper
Aussie B-Corp certified label Bassike had a bit of a rebrand recently – and we love to see it. Their new menswear collection out of the gate features their signature fabrications and cuts, though experimenting with more colour-blocking. Their red striped cashmere jumper pairs with darker wash blue jeans well, and you can even layer it with an overcoat.
Calvin Klein Mouline Men’s Jumper
Calvin Klein’s new knitwear is getting in on the dropped shoulder memo, too. The American label centred on finer fabrication for their Mouline jumper: it’s slim enough to wear under a jacket.
Levi’s Fisherman Jumper
Is any jumper round-up complete without a fisherman jumper? The garment, which originated from Ireland, has been on every menswear enthusiasts’ moodboard since they first watched When Harry Met Sally. (The Nora Ephron-written flick is an essential menswear viewing.) Though to get the exact chunkiness of the one Billy Crystal wears (he’s since revealed he lost it!) is if you have the time and energy to expend on the vintage market. Levi’s, however, has managed to create a similar density to its fisherman jumper, done in chunky cable knits.
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