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Fall is here, and with it, the age-old question: what does one wear when it gets cold? This is not a trick question — it can be genuinely difficult to choose a layer that’s warm and functional and avoids telegraphing broke tech bro.
You’ve probably already inferred from the headline, but our proposed solution rhymes with the swisherman fletter. As solid as your trusty shacket and an absolute classic of knitwear, the fisherman sweater is a timeless staple for a reason: it’s got insulating versatility, preppy curb appeal and cozy charm on lock.
While the fisherman sweaters of today often opt for more comfortable wool or cotton blends, the same qualities that made the garment so desirable over 100 years ago — warm, hardy, chunky — remain as relevant as ever. And while the style has been majorly moored to the metropolitan, its robust origins make it more than a match for bitter winter days. This time of year, you can spot the style in every Aspen ski chalet, at every “for your consideration” junket and on the back of every goddamn Kennedy around.
We’ve taken the liberty of assembling our favorites, from the likes of a heritage outfitter that’s been around for centuries to an affordable L.L. Bean knit. One of the options is even hand-knit in Ireland, the old-fashioned way. The through line? Each of them looks rugged, feels incredible and will make you feel like a bona fide longshoreman. Below, the best fisherman sweaters for men in 2025.
The Best Fisherman Sweaters for Men
- Best Overall: L.L.Bean Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweater, $119
- Best Cotton: Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Fisherman’s Sweater, $175
- Warmest: Wallace & Barnes Wool Cable-Knit Sweater, $350
- Most Stylish: Buck Mason Seastack Wool Cable Sweater, $248
- Best Splurge: Inis Meáin Ridges Cable-Knit Sweater, $680
In This Guide
- The Best Fisherman Sweaters
- More Fisherman Sweaters We Love
- Fisherman Sweater FAQ
- How We Made These Picks
- Why You Should Trust Us
Best Overall: L.L.Bean Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweater
Why We Love It: Fisherman sweaters wear in immaculately, which is why they often come with hefty price tags. Here’s a more approachable option from a brand that rarely misses. Note — this guy runs a touch small, especially if you end up shrinking it in the wash.
Who It’s For: Anyone with $119 and a fall dream.
Size Range: S-XXXL | Material: 100% Cotton | Type: Crewneck | Fit: Slim | Colors: Six
Best Cotton: Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Fisherman’s Sweater
Why We Love It: Decidedly more elegant than the majority of its salty counterparts, this PRL sweater reads less “out on the water” and more “tucked away in the classroom,” something that we’re not mad about in the slightest, but the real draw is its 100% cotton construction, making it perfect for any wool-sensitive individuals.
Who It’s For: Atopics and academics.
Size Range: XS-XXL | Material: 100% Cotton | Type: Crewneck | Fit: Regular | Colors: Two
Warmest: Wallace & Barnes Wool Cable-Knit Sweater
Why We Love It: Part of the recent revival of workwear sub-label Wallace and Barnes, this heavy wool knit utilizes a mixed-stitch pattern “inspired by traditional fishermen’s sweaters from the coast of Ireland” to pack in real warmth.
Who It’s For: Outdoor adventurers and workwear enthusiasts.
Size Range: XS-XXL | Material: 100% Wool | Type: | Fit: Regular | Colors: One
Most Stylish: Buck Mason Seastack Wool Cable Sweater
Why We Love It: New this season, Buck Mason’s latest cable-knit looks like something you might spot on holiday in the Alps (or, conversely on the recent reboot of Mr & Mrs. Smith). This was the point, apparently — the design was modeled after chunky crewnecks from the ‘60s with the luxurious Italian-spun merino wool and a multi-patterned 3-gauge body keeping everything elevated, rather than clownish.
Who It’s For: Fall style fanatics.
Size Range: XS-XXL | Material: 100% Merino Wool | Type: Crewneck | Fit: Classic | Colors: One
Best Splurge: Inis Meáin Ridges Cable-Knit Sweater
Why We Love It: As far as heritage design goes, Inis Meáin is the real deal — as in, crafted in Ireland from beautiful flecked merino wool and cashmere-blend yarn and specifically knitted (on the label’s namesake island in Galway Bay, no less) to create a thick cable stitch that should ensure years of exceptional quality and decades of wear.
Who It’s For: Fisherman sweater purists who can afford the expense.
Size Range: S-XXL | Material: 70% Merino Wool, 30% Cashmere | Type: Crewneck | Fit: Slim | Colors: One
More Fisherman Sweaters We Love
Taylor Stitch The Orr Sweater
Three-gauge Merino wool construction, classic patterning — yup, that’s a fisherman sweater alright.
Vince Airspun Cable-Knit Sweater
This Vince sweater is perhaps best characterized as a “grandpa” sweater. That is a very good thing.
Rhythm Mohair Fisherman Sweater
We can’t decide what’s more impressive about this Rhythm knit — the pliable weave or the astoundingly solid value.
Aimé Leon Dore Fisherman Cable-Knit Sweater
What does a hype streetwear label know about artisanal knits? Quite a lot, if this beautiful cable-knit is any indication.
C.P. Company Logo-Debossed Cable-Knit Wool Sweater
The only fisherman sweater that you could conceivably wear to, say, the North London Darby.
Fisherman Sweater FAQ
What is a fisherman sweater?
Thought to have originated from the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland in the early 20th century, fisherman sweaters feature a series of woven, patterned ribs down the exterior of the sweater and a hearty construction that originally leaned on unscoured wool for their lanolin-ladden, water-resistant properties.
What is the difference between fisherman, cable-knit and Aran sweaters?
There are a variety of names associated with a patterned, woven knit typically referred to as a fisherman sweater. While they all describe the same style of sweater, there are subtle differences in the terminology — an Aran sweater, for instance, is referential to the birthplace of the fisherman sweater and may indicate that the knit originates from the Irish coast. Likewise, while many feature some sort of cable-knitting, it’s specific weave is not exclusive to fisherman sweaters and can be utilized by other knit garments.
What are fisherman sweaters typically made out of?
As mentioned previously, fisherman sweaters were originally knit from unscoured wool; today, the style is often made from cotton or wool, occasionally blended with more premium yarns like cashmere.
How We Made These Picks
I’ve selected the above picks based on a variety of factors that I’ve identified as most essential to fisherman sweaters, paying close attention to specific categories that include material, fit and price, along with my own personal experiences with the product. As a menswear journalist with over half a decade of experience writing about style and clothing, I’ve tested more than two dozen fisherman sweaters, including many of the styles recommended in this round-up, and have spent countless hours sourcing and researching across a variety of resources that include style experts and retailers.
Why You Should Trust Us
InsideHook is committed to the highest standard of independent, unbiased and trustworthy product journalism. With a team of field experts and industry veterans who routinely research and test new products, we offer in-depth and cutting-edge coverage, with the specific intention of delivering accurate, relevant and honest reviews of products we endorse and often personally use. We may earn a small affiliate commission when you purchase products through our links, but items featured are always independently selected.
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