This week, I’ll break down which sweaters are worth buying — and which ones to avoid. I’ve tried them all.

And welcome to the inaugural newsletter on my NEW platform, Beehiiv! 🐝🍯 I’m excited to test out all its cool features.

Something terrible has come to my attention. My cult members are not reading the material tags on their sweaters before buying. THE HORROR! Luckily, I am here to help. Let’s dive in.

A budget-friendly wool lookalike made from plastic fibers. Easy to wash, but often leaves you sweaty and turns ratty quickly.

🧼 Care tip: Machine wash cold, low spin, and skip the dryer. Acrylic tends to stretch with heat.

Incredibly soft, warm, and hypoallergenic thanks to its lack of lanolin. Look for a blend, though — 100% alpaca tends to lose its shape fast.

💡 Fun fact: Alpacas were first domesticated in the Andes over 6,000 years ago.

🧼 Care tip: Hand wash in cold water or dry clean. Dry flat on a sweater rack.

The OG cozy fiber. Wool is warm, durable, and sometimes itchy. For the softest option, look for 100% merino, which has a finer texture than standard wool.

🧼 Care tip: Hand wash cold or dry clean. Wool is naturally antimicrobial, so wash just 1–2 times per season and air out between wears.

🫧 Try this: Soak Laundry Soap is my go-to for sweaters: effective, no-rinse, and available scented or scent-free.

Breathable and sturdy, cotton is ideal for mild days and layering. It doesn’t trap heat, but it’s a great option if you avoid animal fibers.

🧼 Care tip: Machine wash cold and tumble dry low for 10-ish minutes. Let it dry the rest of the way on your sweater rack or other flat surface.

Light yet warm, ultra-soft, and breathable (unlike acrylic). A little high-maintenance, but absolutely worth the effort.

🧼 Care tip: Hand wash cold or dry clean only. Lay flat to dry. Like wool, it only needs washing 1–2 times per season if you air it out between wears.

🪮 Try this: A $10 sweater comb keeps your cashmere pill-free.

Looking to add a few good sweaters to your rotation? Start here.