There are sweaters that keep you warm, and then there are sweaters for sweater weather.

Right now, from October to the end of November, we’re in peak sweater weather. I’m talking about that stretch where you can step outside in just a sweater and it makes your whole fit. No jacket. No coat covering anything up. Just you and your knit.

That’s why you need to know the best sweaters for men to keep in your wardrobe if you plan on flexing on everybody in your hood. And low-key, having the best sweater is better than having the best sneakers. There, I said it.

Think about it. When it’s sweater weather, you’re not wearing a jacket. The sweater IS the fit. If it’s cozy, warm and clean, you’re going to have so much aura and get so much attention, and that energy lasts for days.

I don’t know about you, but I like the flex. When I get dressed, I like to look good. A fresh, warm, cozy sweater can make my whole day. It lets people know who they’re dealing with before I even say, “Hello, nice to meet you.” But if my sweater is subpar, the whole fit falls flat.

So today we’re breaking down the best sweaters for men during peak sweater weather. Let’s get it.

What Are the Best Sweaters for Men This Fall?

Short answer: a cardigan, a mohair or fuzzy-knit sweater, a cable-knit, a solid hoodie and a patterned knit. Own those five and you’re covered for just about every fall fit, whether you’re dressing up, dressing down or somewhere in between.

Here’s how each one works and how to wear it.

1. The Cardigan Sweater

The cardigan is the flyest sweater to ever be created in my opinion. It’s also the most useful in sweater weather. It’s a layer when you need one, and the main event when you don’t.

Throw it over a plain tee, a polo or a casual button-up. Button it up when it’s cool out, leave it open when the afternoon warms up. Same fit, two looks. If you’re feeling really bold, put it over a plain hoodie and go sweater on sweater.

The name comes from the 7th Earl of Cardigan, a British military officer who wore a knitted button-front waistcoat in the 1850s. So yes, you’re wearing something with a little history behind it. It’s no wonder that when you put on a cardigan you’ll like killing it.

How to wear it: Cardigan over a white tee with relaxed denim and clean sneakers. Simple, grown, and it never misses.

I like some pizazz to my cardigans. If iit has patches, patterns or some sort of feature that sticks out I’m likely buying it.

Top Picks: The Ralph Lauren Letterman Cardigan or The Green Paisley Cardigan from Found are the best two out right now.

2. The Mohair, Alpaca or Fuzzy-Knit Sweater

Soft, textured and impossible to ignore. A mohair or fuzzy-knit sweater is the move for guys who want a statement piece without leaning on loud graphics. The texture does the talking.

Real mohair comes from the hair of the Angora goat, which is why it has that slightly hairy, glowy look in the light. A lot of fuzzy knits use blends, so check the label if you care about the real thing.

How to wear it: Let it be the loudest thing in the fit. Keep the pants simple (black denim or dark trousers work) and don’t fight the texture with a bunch of logos.

When you walk in the room with a fuzzy knit sweater and a good cologne you’re going to get touched. Because you’re wearing one of the best sweaters for men. People will caress your sweater so be prepared. Also make sure you have a t-shirt underneath.

Top Picks: Calvin Klien Alpaca Blend Sweater

3. The Cable-Knit Sweater

The textured classic. Those chunky braided patterns add visual weight and character, so even a solid color looks like it has something going on.

Cable knits are tied to the fishermen’s sweaters of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. It’s old-school texture, but it looks right at home in a modern streetwear fit.

How to wear it: It pairs with relaxed denim, chinos or tailored trousers. A cream or oatmeal cable knit with dark denim is about as foolproof as fall gets.

This is the perfect dress up but still keeping it casual sweater. You’re wearing this to clubs that don’t let you get in with sneakers. Coffee dates and more.

Top Picks: Montauk Knit Sweater From Jordan Craig | Cable Knit Tennis 1/4 Zip from Brooks Brothers

4. The Hoodie (Pullover or Zip-Up)

Technically, a hoodie isn’t a sweater but it still makes the list for best sweaters for men. Honestly, lets be real, nobody’s leaving it out of a sweater weather conversation.

The hoodie is the ultimate casual layering piece. You’ve got heavyweight oversized hoodies on one end and fitted zip-ups on the other, and it sits right where streetwear, athletic wear and everyday clothes overlap.

How to wear it: Baggy denim, cargos or joggers all work. For a grown move, put a zip-up or a heavyweight hoodie under a topcoat or tailored jacket once it gets colder.

There is something about a heavyweight sweater that just sets the mood when you wear it. We aren’t talking about a flimsy hoodie. I’m talking 500GSM or better. Durable, rugged and the most comfortable thing you own.

Top Picks: Diamond Ranch Jackson Hole Hoodie | DSYF Hoodie – Fear of God | Jordan Craig Atelier Pullover Hoodie

5. The Patterned Knit

If it has Argyle, geometric prints, abstract designs or bold stripes its one of the best sweaters for men. This is where color and pattern become the focal point of the whole fit.

Argyle traces back to the tartan of Clan Campbell of Argyll in western Scotland. These days it shows up everywhere, from golf courses to runways to the block.

How to wear it: Let the sweater lead and keep everything else quiet. Solid pants, solid shoes, maybe pull one color from the sweater into your sneakers or hat.

I love a sweater with a good pattern on it. Think old school Cliff Huxtable sweaters, The Coogi or anything w/ a pattern on it. You could rock this and shine if you get the right one.

What Temperature Is Sweater Weather?

Sweater weather is generally that cool stretch where it’s too chilly for a tee but not cold enough for a heavy coat, usually somewhere in the 50s and low 60s Fahrenheit. In the Northeast, that’s most of October and November. That’s the window where a sweater can carry the whole fit on its own.

Which Sweater Should You Buy First?

If you’re starting from zero, get a cardigan or a cable knit in a neutral color. They go with everything and work for more occasions than anything else on this list. Once you’ve got your foundation, that’s when you go get the mohair and the patterned knits and start having fun.

What’s on your list for the best sweaters for men? Did we leave any out? Lets chat about this in the comments below.