Designer Sweaters

By neckline

Crewnecks: Acne Studios crews in brown Shetland wool from AW2016 and in lambswool from AW15, a fine-gauge Loro Piana Falkville, mostly virgin wool with some cashmere, an all-cashmere Polo Ralph Lauren crew and a 2008 Prada Red Tab crew in lightweight striped cotton.

Turtlenecks and roll necks: Stone Island's 2001 red rib turtleneck, which keeps its removable compass badge; a vintage Prada Linea Rossa in cotton; a vintage Helmut Lang that alternates rib with felted wool; and Acne Studios roll necks from cropped kid mohair to chunky rib. A reversible Prada Milano full-zip in wool has a lower mock neck.

By yarn

Mohair gives the brushed, slightly fuzzy surface of the AW13 Lia crew and the Dramatic Moh. The vintage Missoni roll neck is knitted by hand from a thick yarn that is mostly alpaca and wool. Cotton keeps the Prada Red Tab and Linea Rossa knits light, Stone Island uses it for a yellow open-knit crew, and Acne Studios adds linen knits for warm days. For cardigans and cashmere-silk, see Sweaters & Knitwear; for jersey sweatshirts, Sweatshirts.

FAQ

Where do mohair, lambswool and Shetland wool come from?

Mohair is Angora goat hair, and kid mohair the finer hair of young goats; the mohair knits from Acne Studios here blend it with wool and nylon. Lambswool comes from a lamb's first shearing and feels fine and soft. Shetland wool, from the small sheep of the Shetland Islands, is springier, with a drier handle.

Is a roll neck the same as a turtleneck?

Largely, yes. Both are tall collars worn folded down; roll neck is the British term, often used for a looser collar that rolls over softly. A mock neck stands only a few centimeters high and is worn unfolded.

Is some pilling normal on a pre-owned knit?

Yes. Bobbles form where a knit rubs, under the arms, along the sides and at the cuffs, and soft short-fiber yarns such as lambswool and cashmere pill sooner than smooth cotton. Pilling, snags and loose ribbing all count toward the condition grade.