Best men’s knitwear 2024, from cardigans to spring cotton

Create a statement with a big pop of colour. Lavender might not be every man’s first choice but Colorful Standard has a wide range of colourways for its oversized merino wool knit – and for its wider range of basics (our round-up of the best shorts for men also features the brand).

The cut of this knit is boxy with drop shoulders and it’s pinched at the wrists and waist for a great vintage silhouette. The simplicity allows you to go bold with pinks, purples, sunflower yellow and more (the netural shades are great, too), and all are made from recycled extra-fine merino wool.

These sell out quickly so cycle through the colours for one in the colour and size of your choice.

Statement knits are an important addition to any wardrobe, but for those days when you want something easy and comfy while still looking put together, good basics are essential.

This v-neck jumper from Benetton is minimal, versatile and made from pure cotton which feels very soft on the skin. We’ve even been wearing this on its own without a T-shirt. Lightweight and not too long in the body (a bugbear of ours), this piece sits nicely at the hips.

It comes in a few colours but we opted for a classic black that will pair with almost any look on days you don’t want to pay mind to putting an outfit together.

Hugo Boss’ contemporary diffusion line Hugo has the perfect summer knit, a short-sleeved crochet cardigan. The 100 per cent cotton feels substantial and good quality and the cut is definitely oversized so opt for your normal size for that slouchy, oversized feel.

The weave is tight enough to wear without a layer underneath for a hot day or add a tank top or T-shirt if you want a bit of extra warmth. We found ourselves grabbing this for dinner or drinks with smart trousers and loafers, and will be great for European summer city breaks during the late spring paired with shorts and sandals.

If you don’t know Hades knitwear yet, it’s time to catch up. The independent British brand creates playful pieces inspired by musicians and artists, such as David Bowie, Blondie, Sex Pistols and more. Working with high-quality, natural materials and keeping transparency in the manufacturing process, a lot of love goes into these jumpers, and they’re really made to last.

Emblazoned with David Bowie’s 1970 album, this knit is a simple black-and-white design, making it a versatile wardrobe staple. It’s warm, comfortable and mostly importantly, very cool. Crafted in Scotland from 100 per cent wool, this is a hand wash or dry clean-only situation. This fits true to size, so get one a few levels up for an oversized look.

AllSaints has some of the best statement knitwear right now, like this heart motif cardigan with a soft brushed yarn that will add a refreshing sprinkle of quirk to your wardrobe. The fit is relaxed with subtly ribbed sleeves and hem which our reviewer loves.

Made with a wool and alpaca blend, this is definitely a cosy option when layered, but will take you into spring too when paired with a T-shirt and jeans. Opt for your regular sizing for an oversized vibe.

Sheep Inc. is a luxury knitwear brand with a focus on sustainability and designs that are novel takes on classic styles. Each piece is fixed with an NFC tag with a QR code, so you can register your knitwear and explore the journey it has taken: where the wool was sourced and processed, who it was hand finished by and even the carbon footprint of the knit. There is also a lifetime guarantee for repairs, should it get damaged.

This piece, which we tested in the beautiful raw white colourway, has a striking oversized cable knit pattern on the front. It’s warm, soft and weighty with a definite luxury feeling and the attention to detail becomes apparent from the trim between the sleeve and the cuff to the baby blue signature stitching on the back of the collar.