The 21 Best Striped Sweaters Are True Wardrobe Staples by Halie Lesavage

Because one striped sweater isn’t quite enough

The saying that “you can’t have too much of a good thing” definitely applies to the best striped sweaters. While I swear by a single camel wool coat each winter and named a straight-leg denim pair my all-time best jeans a decade ago, I can always create space in my closet for another Breton stripe knit.

From oversize turtlenecks with black and cream stripes to cashmere pullovers with thick, sunset-tone shades, the best striped sweaters of 2023 showcase the infinite styling potential of a well-placed line. Decades ago, knits streaked with cream, black, navy, or camel stripes cemented their status as eternal wardrobe essentials with help from icons like Jane Birkin. All they needed were a tailored jean and one of the best ballet flats to look put-together. Fresh twists are so much more than neutral-on-neutral crewnecks, however, so there’s enough variety to justify ordering more than one knit. Nowadays, “most sweaters can be very flattering and at times even sexy,” stylist Alexis Badiyi said. “For something unexpected, I love styling against the traditional feeling of a striped sweater, that to me can feel a bit preppy or buttoned up.” Out of the ordinary sweaters like Acne Studios’ dip-dyed oversize knit or the sensual slim fit of a Khaite polo sweater are evidence. But if you want to go the French girl route with your stripes, classic options from Sézane and Kule will have you covered.

Read on for the 21 best striped sweaters that are so essential, you may have to shop more than one. Each one was chosen based on its fabrication, fit, shopper recommendations, and my own testing—and each one can be worn a different way.

BEST STRIPED SWEATER OVERALL

Kule The Betty

$298 AT KULE.COM

BEST STRIPED SWEATER OVERALL

Kule The Betty

$298 AT KULE.COMCREDIT: KULE

Kule’s striped sweaters have a habit of working their way into my conversations with other editors. It’s half because Kule has one of the widest ranges of stripe colors to choose from, half because the sweaters keep their fresh-from-the-box quality even after dozens of wears. (The same standard applies to the brand’s best T-shirts.) Kule’s stripes have even landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list.

Sizes: XS–XL

Colors: Cream/navy, navy/cream, black/cream, heather gray/navy, cream multi, and more