Looking for a sweater that you can throw in the washing machine without worrying? Check these out.
Sweaters are a cold-weather staple that no guy’s wardrobe should be without. But while full merino wool and cashmere sweaters are undoubtedly luxurious and warm, they can also be quite a hassle to clean.
Why not go for one of these machine washable men’s sweaters instead? I’ve collected 10 different excellent examples from trusted brands, representing a range of casual cool styles and materials, all of which can be machine washed (and a few of which can even be dried on low for maximum convenience).
Quick Take
Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best machine washable sweaters you can buy right now:
The No-Sweat Sweater offers a 365-day guarantee. Its cotton-polyester blend makes it a versatile and machine-washable choice, perfect for year-round wear.
The affordability of Amazon Essentials is well exemplified by this Crew Neck Sweater, offering a variety of close to twenty colors to select from. Each color is priced at approximately 20 dollars and is fully compatible with machine washing.
Crafted from 100 percent cotton featuring textured ribbing, hand-linked seams, and a dual-layered collar, this sweater provides remarkable comfort and effortless wearability.
Read on for the full list…
10 Great Machine Washable Men’s Sweaters
Here are excellent options to consider picking up:
Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Rib Crew Neck Sweater
Buck Mason is my of our favorite brands for higher-quality staple wardrobe pieces, each with a well-defined classic style. Their Seafarer Crew Neck Sweater is no exception.
Made of 100 percent cotton with textured ribbing, hand-linked seams, and a double-layered collar, it’s an exceptionally comfortable and easy-wearing sweater for three-season wear.
Machine wash cold on the gentle cycle, then lay flat to dry.
Banana Republic Factory Rustic Sweater
If you’re looking for affordably priced staples that are still thoughtfully designed and fashionable, Banana Republic’s Factory brand is a perfect place to start.
Their Rustic Sweater is an amazing sweater for the price, with a durable cotton/linen material blend that makes it breathable enough for three-season wear.
Machine wash cold, and lay flat to dry.
J. Crew Factory Cotton Crewneck Sweater
Need a no-frills sweater that you can wear day in and day out to work? J. Crew Factory’s Cotton Crewneck Sweater has got you covered.
Remarkably affordable and available in a wide variety of colors, it’s an excellent way to round out your spring and fall wardrobe.
It’s made entirely of cotton as well, so it can handle plenty of machine washing — and you can even get away with tumble drying it on low, making it about as low-maintenance as sweaters come.
L.L. Bean Cotton/Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
Cashmere is one of the softest materials possible for sweaters but it’s also about the highest maintenance.
L.L. Bean has split the difference to make a sweater that’s exceptionally soft but also low maintenance by blending just a small portion of cashmere into a primarily cotton V-neck sweater.
It’s one of the few sweaters of this style that’s available in regular and tall styles as well as sizes up to XXXL, so if you’re a bigger guy, this will be right up your alley.
Mack Weldon Ace Crew Neck Sweater
It’s really a shame that more guys don’t know about Mack Weldon. They’ve been refining their designs since 2011, all without sacrificing quality or attention to detail. And today, each of their pieces is incredibly well thought out.
Take the Ace Crew Neck Sweater, for example: Made of a micro-brushed French terry material, it’s incredibly soft and comfortable — all while still being machine washable on a gentle cycle. And its slim fit is very flattering for athletic guys, too, which is rare to find in a sweater.
American Giant French Terry Crew Sweatshirt
Casual enough to wear anywhere and durable enough to wear forever, American Giant’s French Terry Crew Sweatshirt is a lightweight and comfortable layer that’s sure to become a staple in your wardrobe.
It’s made of 100 percent cotton and garment-dyed for a lived-in look and feel and is fully machine washable in cold water.
Pendleton Shetland Crew Neck Sweater
Pendleton has been making hard-wearing, good-looking men’s clothing since 1863, and at this point, they’re a veritable staple of clothing, both woolen and otherwise.
Their Shetland Crew Neck Sweater is a perfect place to get acquainted with the brand, as it’s simple and affordable.
And unlike most wool sweaters, it’s entirely machine washable as long as you keep it cold. You can read our detailed review of this sweater if you’re interested.
Lay it flat to dry, and you’ll have a fall and winter sweater for the rest of your life.
Bonobos Washable Merino Crew Neck Sweater
Merino wool is almost always a no-no when it comes to machine-washable clothes — but thanks to the specific cut and quality of wool in this Bonobos sweater, you can safely wash it on cold and with your machine’s gentle cycle.
It’s very reasonably priced for a Merino wool sweater, too and has a flattering cut and fit that looks great solo or layered up with a button-down shirt.
Everlane No-Sweat Sweater
The No-Sweat Sweater is part of Everlane’s Uniform Collection: 12 everyday staples, each of which comes with a 365-day guarantee.
That alone makes it a great choice for a guy looking for a machine washable sweater — but its unique blend of cotton and a cooling polyester fiber makes it even better for year-round wear.
Amazon Essentials Crew Neck Sweater
Say what you will about Amazon, but when you’re looking for a reliable and no-frills wardrobe staple, their Essentials collection is as affordable as it comes.
This Crew Neck Sweater from Amazon Essentials is a great example, where you can choose from nearly two dozen colors, each of which costs about 20 dollars and is entirely machine washable.
Frequently Asked Questions
To finish things up, I’d like to answer a few of the most common questions that guys are asking about machine washable sweaters:
Should you turn sweaters inside out when washing?
It never hurts to turn your sweaters inside out when you’re washing them! While it’s not strictly necessary, doing so will keep your sweater in better shape through more washes.
Can washable sweaters be dry cleaned?
Washable sweaters absolutely can be dry cleaned. In fact, some sweaters are dry clean only.
What sweaters can be washed in a washing machine?
Generally speaking, sweaters that are cotton-based can be washed in a washing machine on low heat and in a gentle setting. Wool and cashmere sweaters can almost never be washed in a washing machine, even with the gentlest settings.
Conclusion
The list above proves that you can have a full selection of stylish, high-quality sweaters without having to make dozens of trips to the dry cleaner. Find the one that fits you just right, and you’ll have a wardrobe staple that’s going to last for years.
Where’s your favorite sweater from? Let me know in the comments!
Very disappointed in this review on a blog for short guys. This is simply a list of good sweaters with no insight into how they fit short guys. I’ve owned LL Bean sweaters in the past and the arm and body lengths or too big for us shorter guys. Even you mention how great these sweaters are if you need XXXL sizing! Your blog post is good, it just should not be posted here or it needs to provide more insight into how these sweaters are good for short guys.