From knitted tees to turtlenecks, these fully cotton pieces are ideal for the end of summer—and the start of fall
Cotton knitwear occupies a very particular niche: too warming for much of spring and summer, it also lacks the insulating power of wool to serve as steadily through fall and winter. What they happen to be ideal for are the shoulder seasons in-between, when a wool sweater may feel unseasonal on a chilly morning early in spring or after the sun sets on a late summer evening.
But a strictly climate-based evaluation of cotton knitwear underrates the category’s versatility through a wide range of sartorial scenarios. A knitted cotton tee, such as the one made by the Anthology, can be the perfect dress shirt alternative in a post-tie world, while a simple navy cotton crewneck as produced by Stenströms can stand in for the blazer itself. Elsewhere, a cotton turtleneck by Ghiaia can have the visual presence to anchor an entire look, while a Ralph Lauren cotton cable-knit may prove the ideal finishing accessory when loosely tied around the shoulders.
You’ll find our full listing of 11 cotton knits that come fully recommended below—and perhaps get a few more ideas yourself.
Stenströms Navy Crew Neck Sweater
Founded in 1899 as a shirtmaker, Sweden’s Stenströms has since expanded into knitwear and holds royal warrants from the nation’s king and queen, respectively. Its 100% cotton iteration of the navy crewneck is an ideal—and characteristically minimalist—expression of the classic, which can easily slide between a white shirt and a blazer or serve as a sport coat alternative for more casual occasions.
Speciale Cotton Crew
Tucked away in London’s Notting Hill, Speciale practices bespoke tailoring in the Florentine style. But the independent business also sells a small range of its own house-designed shirts, jeans and knitwear, including a four-ply cotton crewneck that is hand-framed in Wales and cut shorter to better complement high-rise trousers.
Anglo-Italian Raglan Polo Cotton Olive Ecru Stripe
Anglo-Italian has turned a knit cotton-classic—the polo—into a long-sleeved sweater that features hand-linked raglan shoulders for maximum range of movement. A wide, rugby-style stripe further enhances its sporty appeal.
Ghiaia Marinaio Cotton Turtleneck
While best known for its cashmere, Pasadena-based Ghiaia has also added cotton pieces to its luxurious knitwear stable. Among them is the Marinaio, a turtleneck knit from pure cotton in a thick British rib.
The Anthology Knitted T-Shirt
The Anthology’s answer to a very contemporary question—what to wear under a jacket if you’re forgoing the tie—is its knitted T-shirt. Knit from organic cotton and softened for wear against the skin through a proprietary tumble-washing process, its shorter length and ribbed hem sit well above tailored trousers, and its higher neckline better suits lapels. Of course, it can just as easily be worn casually above a pair of jeans or even double-pleated shorts.
Drake’s Sand Cotton Button-Through Knit
More casual than a blazer yet more refined that a chore coat, this button-through knit from Drake’s is made in Italy from a lightweight and breathable pima cotton crepe. Its soft, folded collar can be worn gently upturned for an extra touch of panache.
Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Cotton Crewneck Sweater
The spring-summer equivalent of the brand’s iconic cashmere cable-knit, this Polo crewneck expresses the same pattern through 100% cotton. Fine-brushed for extra softness, it can be layered above a T-shirt or worn directly against the skin.
Anderson & Sheppard Soft Cotton Knitted Sweater
Anderson & Sheppard’s knitted cotton sweater is fully fashioned, meaning that its individual pieces were knit separately and then joined together to achieve the ideal fit and shape. Long-sleeved with a higher neckline, it’s an ideal dress shirt replacement for lightweight tailoring.
Sunspel Ribbed Jumper
Established in 1860, Sunspel’s reputation was built on making simple, casual garments from the highest-quality ingredients. That maxim is present in the make of this crewneck sweater, which is made from long-staple Egyptian cotton knit with a tuck stitch that gives it a soft, ribbed texture.
Todd Snyder Relaxed Beechwood V-Neck Sweater
For whatever reason, cotton V-necks are a rarer breed than the ubiquitous cotton crewneck. But Todd Snyder’s sought to correct that with its Beechwood sweater, made from lightweight organic cotton specially spun so as to better hold its shape. When layered over a white crewneck tee and jeans, its relaxed fit makes for a very ‘90s ensemble.
Rubato Nonpareil Heavy Crew Neck
Relative newcomer Rubato has earned cult-brand status in menswear circles thanks to its obsessive attention to small details. Both qualities are present in the design of the Swedish label’s Nonpareil crew neck, which is made from heavyweight, eight-ply cotton and is cut with a shorter hem and higher collar for a vintage-inspired look.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Chandler Bondurant
