Stylish Non-Itchy Sweaters

Every fall and winter, I take incredible pleasure in finding my clients stylish, non-itchy sweaters. No one wants an itchy sweater, least of all me. My skin is very sensitive, and I have some clients who are even more sensitive than I am.

Non Itchy Sweater Material

Is cashmere itchy? Is acrylic itchy? Is wool itchy? These are the questions we wish we had straightforward answers to, but alas, we don’t. When it comes to non-itchy sweaters, it’s usually about the quality of the combination of the materials, rather than one specific material by itself. But here’s my brief guide to non-itchy sweater material…

• Wool: Yes, generally itchy
• Cashmere: Poor quality cashmere, yes
• Alpaca: Sometimes
• Acrylic: Sometimes
• Polyester: No
• Cotton: No
• Rayon: No
• Viscose: No
• Nylon: No
• Silk: No

If you are in a store, it is relatively easy to try on a sweater and realize it’s itchy. In that journey, you will find some exceptionally soft, non-itchy wool blends, cashmere, and acrylic sweaters, but online shopping is a different beast. To ensure the arrival of a non-itchy sweater, you must look at the product details and see the breakdown of the materials. As long as the majority is a mixture of the rarely-to-never-itchy materials listed above, you should be safe. Unless, of course, you have a genuine fabric allergy. If you think you have a fabric allergy, you should have a medical professional perform an allergy test.

The Softest Sweater Material

Obviously, if you are allergic, skip any item that has any amount of the material you’re allergic to. But many of us do not have allergies — we’re just super sensitive and desperate for the softest sweater material. In this case, purchase sweaters made of 100% cotton or a cotton or rayon blend. This blend can include polyester, viscose, nylon, and/or silk. If you want the absolutely softest sweater material, here are my favorite fabric combinations for softness:

• Cotton + Silk Blend
• Cotton + Rayon
• Rayon + Polyester Blend
• Cotton + Polyester Blend

Keep in mind, a hint of nylon and viscose is never an irritating addition unless, of course, you are allergic to those fabrics as we discussed above.

Now, all that data is well in good, but nothing beats personal research. Below, I’ve listed my favorite non-itchy sweaters that I have personally put on myself and my clients. I’ve included their material breakdown, so you can see how the softest sweater material can vary.

Note: If you accidentally bought an itchy sweater that you don’t want to part with, check out my tips on How To Make A Sweater Less Itchy. 

Frank & Eileen Montecito Turtleneck

My obsession with Frank & Eileen continues to grow with this non-itchy turtleneck, made from 100% cotton. The neck lies perfectly, it’s super soft, and it can easily be dressed up or down. I especially adore this deep green color, which is flattering on everyone. You can see how I styled it, as well as more of my favorite pieces in my full Frank & Eileen review.

Available at Frank & Eileen.

Sizing: XS-XL

Itch Factor: None

Material: 100% Italian cotton

Lingua Franca Marathi Crewneck

Available at Lingua Franca.

Sizing: XS-2X

Itch Factor: None

Material: 100% pima cotton

Quince Fisherman Crew Sweater

This is my favorite of the fisherman style sweaters this year. It’s non-itchy, a fantastic price, and comes in so many different colors. It’s the sweater I’m wearing at the top of this post. I also have it in white, and my clients are loving this redwood brown color too.

Available at Quince.

Sizing: XS-XL

Itch Factor: None

Material: 100% organic cotton

Zara Belted Cardigan

Available at Zara.

Sizing: S-XL

Itch Factor: None

Material: 40% viscose, 39% polyamide, 21% polyester

JAKI Rue Sheer Sweater

Available at JAKI.

Sizing: XS-XL

Itch Factor: Minimal

Material: 62% alpaca, 38% polyamide

Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Madeline Lobster Crew Sweater

Available at Abercrombie & Fitch.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Itch Factor: None

Material: 60% cotton, 20% viscose, 20% nylon

Endless Rose Fuzzy V-Neck Rib Sweater

Available at Belk and Endless Rose.

Sizing: Runs big. Order two sizes down. Available in XS-L.

Itch Factor: Minimal

Material: 70% polyester, 21% nylon, 8% wool, 1% spandex

Good American Chunky Knit Mock Neck Sweater

Available at Revolve, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Good American.

Sizing: XS-4X

Itch Factor: Minimal

Material: 100% acrylic

Boden Emilia Cotton V Neck Sweater

This lightweight sweater is one of my favorite stylish long sleeve shirts.

Available at Boden.

Sizing: XS-XL

Itch Factor: None

Material: 80% cotton 17% polyamide 3% elastane

Yes, you can wear a cardigan as a shirt. Check out my post on How To Wear A Cardigan As A Shirt for tips on pulling off the look.

Available at Belk.

Sizing: S-XXL

Itch Factor: None

Material: 60% cotton, 40% modal

Camila Coelho Daria Cable Sweater

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XXS-XL.

Itch Factor: Minimal

Material:58% cotton, 39% acrylic, 3% elastane

Nic+Zoe Shaker Stitch V-Neck Sweater

This stylish non-itchy sweater by Nic + Zoe is available at Amazon.

Sizing: Runs slightly big. Order your true size as well as a size down to compare. Available in XS-XXL.

Itch Factor: None.

Fabric Content: 80% cotton, 20% rayon

I originally wrote this post on non-itchy sweaters years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.

Nic+Zoe Femme Sleeve Space Dye Sweater

Sizing: Runs true to size, but order a size down as well to compare. Available in XS-XXL.

Itch Factor: None.

Fabric Content: 58% cotton, 18% rayon, 12% nylon, 12% viscose

AQUA Cashmere Palm Tree Intarsia Crewneck

I adore the fun cashmere sweaters that Bloomingdale’s in-house line Aqua puts out every year. But it really is a case-by-case situation when it comes to itchiness. I’m happy to report though that this palm tree cashmere sweater is not itchy! One client did say she found the cuffs a teeny bit itchy, but they didn’t bother me at all and I’m usually very sensitive when it comes to itchiness.

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XXL

Itch Factor: None. Though one client did say she found the cuffs on the sweater a teeny bit itchy.

Material: 100% cashmere

Vince Camuto Rib Sweater

This sweater would pair perfectly with white jeans for a chic look this winter.

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Itch Factor: None

Material: 73% acrylic, 24% polyester, 3% spandex

BP. Relaxed Reversible Sweater

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: Runs big. Order one size down. Available in XXS-XXL.

Itch Factor: None

Material: 60% cotton, 40% acrylic

Stitches & Stripes Jake V-Neck

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: Runs big. Order one size down. Available in XS-XL.

Itch Factor: None

Material: 100% cotton

Splendid August Pointelle Sleeve Sweater

My clients are loving this sweater. Don’t forget to do a little front tuck to create an even more flattering silhouette.

Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XS-XL.

Itch Factor: None.

Fabric Content: 72% viscose, 28% polyester.

Sioni Puff Sleeve V Neck Sweater

Sizing: True to size. Available in S-XL.

Itch Factor: None.

Fabric Content: 49% rayon, 29% polyester, 22% nylon

Treasure & Bond V-Neck Sweater

You may recognize this sweater from my post on Stylish Long Sleeve Shirts. This sweater by Treasure & Bond deserves a spot in both posts because it’s both non-itchy and lightweight enough to mask as a long sleeve shirt. Plus, the soft v-neck is so flattering and it comes in an array of colors.

Sizing: Runs slightly big. If between sizes, order one size down. Available in XXS-XL.

Itch Factor: Zero!

Fabric Content: 40% Lenzing™ EcoVero™ viscose, 33% nylon, 25% polyester, 2% cashmere.

J.Crew Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater in Stretch Yarn

This J.Crew sweater has ZERO itch. It is crazy yummy soft, and one of the best sweaters of the season.

Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XXXS-3X.

Itch Factor: None.

Fabric Content: 72% viscose/28% polyester

Sioni Mixed Media V Neck Sweater

Sizing: True to size. Available in S-XL.

Itch Factor: None.

Fabric Content: Shell: 49% rayon, 29% polyester, 22% nylon; Trim: 100% polyester

AQUA Distressed V-Neck Cashmere Sweater

This is a fantastic take on the usual boring v-neck cashmere sweater. Tuck in a little of the front hem into your jeans or pants for a super flattering look.

Sizing: Runs true to size. Available in XS-XL.

Itch Factor: Mild.

Fabric Content: 100% cashmere.

Open Edit Semisheer V-Neck Dolman Sleeve Sweater

Sizing: True to size. It is supposed to be baggier in the arms and torso, and then snugger in the hip area. You will tuck this sweater in for a beautiful blouse look.

Itch Factor: None.

Fabric Content: 40% viscose, 30% nylon, 25% polyester, 5% wool