Home / Style

12 Affordable Sweaters That Won’t Break the Bank

A comfortable, good-looking, well-made sweater doesn’t need to cost a month’s rent.

sweater Abercrombie

By Will Porter

Published

·

Updated

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

One of the best things about spring is that the sweaters we’ve been layering with all winter can now do the heavy lifting as a top layer. The old cardigan we stole from our dad’s closet takes center stage. That chunky fisherman sweater that’s been there for us is a morning mainstay, whether we are braving a sea-worthy squall or are just headed to the coffee shop for a morning brew. Shoot, we can even start rocking short-sleeved sweaters. As long as temperatures are still hovering in the 50s and 60s, we can safely say that it’s sweater weather.

Sweater shopping does have the tendency to be a fairly expensive endeavor, with many easily surpassing the $500 mark. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. When it comes to finding a cheap sweater that is also well-made and comfortable, there are myriad options in 2021, crafted by brands that truly care about what they are making and how it gets made. We set out to find the best, most affordable sweaters (and sweater vests) you can buy, and today we’re going to put you on to some of our favorites.

Each of these sweaters is under $100, and while we acknowledge that this isn’t necessarily “cheap” in every sense of the word, we wanted to be sure we were suggesting garments that would actually last and are made by trusted brands. So scroll down to find a sweater that you won’t have to take out a new mortgage for.

Nothing beats an affordable cardigan with pockets.

Short sleeves and cotton-silk? Meet our new spring workhorse.

Seriously, these short sleeve sweaters are going to get us through this year. This one buttons all the way up, has a comfy relaxed fit and brings serious 90s vibes.

Now that sweater vests are basically a ubiquitous fashion item again, we’d be remiss not to wedge in one or two of our favs, including this vintage-inspired v-neck from Everlane.

This buttoned henley sweater reminds us of the vintage military sweaters that have been outfitting soldiers for decades. This is light enough to throw over a tee and pairs well with shorts.

This versatile cotton cable-knit in a perfect shade of green will be the ideal companion for brunch.

Stand out this spring and summer with a wavy sweater vest that does just enough without going overboard.

The sweater polo is back in a big way. They look sharp but are also begging to be your Sunday lounge shirt, so it’s easy to understand why everyone is buying them now.

Just because you haven’t chosen to live your life on the high seas, doesn’t mean you can’t dress like it — rock those stripes. Turns out sailors know a thing or two about dressing.

This understated crewneck from Lands’ End may not look that special, but it is an excellent layering piece while also holding its own as a top layer.

It’s hard to believe we’d ever see the words “$75” and “Cashmere” consecutively in a sentence but Naadam has done it.

Fair Isle, but make it wacky.