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.
Yellow the Label Diver Knit Top
This is such a lovely, lightweight cotton sweater. I adore the scuba print and how soft it is.
Available at Revolve, Yellow the Label, and Shopbop.
Sizing: XS-S
Itch Factor: None
Material: 100% cotton
Alice + Olivia Porla Collared Sweater
This sweater has a detachable collar and cuffs, which is fun for creating the look of layering it over a button-down without actually having to deal with the extra bulk. It’s soft for a wool sweater, but if you have any wool aversions, just skip this one.
Available at Neiman Marcus, Revolve (Grey), Revolve (Black), Saks Fifth Avenue, and Alice + Olivia (Black).
Sizing: XS-XL
Itch Factor: Minimal, but skip if you have any wool sensitivity.
Material: 99% wool, 1% elastane; contrast fabric: 97% cotton, 3% elastane
Ann Taylor Colorblock Mixed Stitch Sweater
This sweater is so soft and comfy. You can see how I styled it, here. I personally got it in petite sizing because I plan to wear it with wide-leg jeans. But get the regular sizing if you are taller than me (I’m 5’4″) or are a similar height, but want to wear it with slimmer pants.
Available at Ann Taylor.
Sizing: XXS – XXL, Classic & Petite. Runs true to size.
Itch Factor: None
Material: 53% Cotton 27% Polyester 20% Nylon
Express Oversized V-Neck Sweater in Cozy Soft
This sweater is so, so soft! You will want to live in it all winter.
Available at Express.
Sizing: XS – XL. Runs slightly large.
Itch Factor: None
Material: 50% Polyester/28% Rayon/2% Nylon
EAVES Devyn V Neck Sweater
Available at FWRD and Revolve.
Sizing: XXS-XL. Runs large, order 1 -2 sizes down.
Itch Factor: Minimal
Material: 70% cotton, 20% silk, 10% cashmere
PAIGE Crimson Cardigan
You know I love wearing a cardigan as a top. You can see how I styled this Paige one, here. It’s thick and warm, though, so if you live somewhere warm or run hot, it may be too much for you.
Available at PAIGE, Revolve, and Amazon. Runs true to size.
Sizing: XXS- XL
Itch Factor: None
Material: 57% Viscose, 33% Pbt, 10% Spun Silk
JAKI Rue Sheer Sweater
Available at JAKI.
Sizing: XS-XL
Itch Factor: Minimal
Material: 62% alpaca, 38% polyamide
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. 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 and Bloomingdale’s.
Sizing: XS-XL
Itch Factor: None
Material: 100% Italian cotton
Quince Fisherman Crew Sweater
This is my current favorite fisherman-style sweater. 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 these deep green and navy colors, too.
Available at Quince.
Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size if you want a baggier look, or size down for a more fitted look.
Itch Factor: None
Material: 100% organic cotton
Good American Chunky Knit Mock Neck Sweater
Available at Nordstrom Rack & Revolve
Sizing: XS-4X
Itch Factor: Minimal
Material: 100% acrylic
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Madeline Coastal Crew Sweater
Available at Abercrombie & Fitch.
Sizing: XXS-XXL. Runs true to size.
Itch Factor: None
Material: 60% cotton, 20% viscose, 20% nylon
Helsa Palmer Sweater
Available at Revolve and FWRD.
Sizing: XXS-XL
Itch Factor: None
Material: 55% linen, 45% cotton
Free the Roses Endless Rose Oversize Deep-V Sweater
I love a white sweater. I don’t care how easy it is to get dirty, it’s so lush and luxurious in the winter.
Available at Belk and Free the Roses.
Sizing: XS-L. Runs big; order one or two sizes down.
Itch Factor: None
Material: 55% acrylic, 45% cotton
Eileen Fisher V-Neck Organic Cotton & Cashmere Blend Sweater
Available at Nordstrom Rack
Sizing: XXS-XL. Runs large; order a size down.
Itch Factor: None
Material: 92% organic cotton, 5% cashmere, 3% recycled polyester
Endless Rose Fuzzy V-Neck Rib Sweater
Available at Endless Rose.
Sizing: XS-L. Runs big. Order two sizes down.
Itch Factor: Minimal
Material: 70% polyester, 21% nylon, 8% wool, 1% spandex
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.
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
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
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
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.
1.State V-Neck Sweater
This 1.State stylish long sleeve sweater is available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: Runs slightly large, order your true size as well as one size down.
Itch Factor: None.
Fabric Content: 73% acrylic, 24% polyester, 3% spandex
Caslon Spacedye V-Neck Sweater
This Caslon stylish sweater is available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: Runs true to size.
Itch Factor: None
Fabric Content: 70% acrylic, 30% nylon
BP V Neck Cotton Sweater
This BP V Neck Cotton Sweater is super soft (of course). It works great tucked into skirts.
Sizing Tip: This brand usually runs small, but this sweater runs large. Order a size down.
Joie Colorblock Cotton Sweater
This Joie Colorblock Cotton Sweater is wonderfully sporty and itch-free.
Sizing Tip: Runs true to size, but I would order a size up as well to compare fits.
