The Best Black Sweater

Buying Guide

Every wardrobe benefits from the versatility of basic black clothing, including tops, skirts, pants or sweaters. When it comes to black sweaters, you’ll find there is truly something for everyone.

Black sweaters can be worn anywhere, and styles can be dressed up or down as needed. It makes sense to have a selection of basic black sweaters so you’re always ready for any occasion.

One thing you’ll want to consider is the sweater’s style. Some people don’t like turtlenecks, crewnecks and other collars that sit up against the neck, but you have plenty of other choices. For example, cardigans are sweaters that have open fronts, either with or without buttons, snaps or zippers. They’re a good choice for dressing in layers.

It is also nice to have some black tops in different materials, to keep you as warm or as cool as you need to be. Coarse wool is the thickest and can feel too heavy if the weather is warm. Fine wool can be a better option but tends to be quite expensive. Alpaca and cashmere sweaters are also warm, but these can be quite pricey as well.

On the lighter side, you can choose linen, polyester, cotton or silk. Basic sweaters and sweatshirts are generally made from cotton/polyester blends, but you can also find ones made with acrylics, nylon and rayon (viscose).

Cotton, polyester, nylon and rayon sweaters are less expensive, but might not be as warm as wool and similar materials. If you see the word “fleece” in the product description, though, the sweater or sweatshirt should do a good job of keeping you toasty and warm.

A well-made and correctly-sized sweater should hug the body but not feel restrictive. To get the right size, have a friend help you measure the back of your collar to your waist for the length. To measure for sleeves, go from the shoulder blade down to the wrist bone.

Cardigans are more forgiving in width, but if the sleeves are too short or the body is not long enough, they may not look right. You may wish to size up with cardigans if you plan to wear thicker shirts underneath.

• Most product pages include sizing guides, and manufacturer sizes vary by brand. Read carefully before you order.
• You usually can’t go wrong buying someone a black sweater — unless, of course, they don’t like black.
• To keep your black sweater looking its best, always follow the laundering directions. Some can only be hand-washed.
• Use the right laundry detergent on your black sweaters to keep them from looking gray over time.
• To avoid putting your black sweater in the washing machine by mistake, keep your hand-washables separated from your other clothes.