The Shetland Sweater Is a Hug You Can Wear

“Traditional” sweater styles don’t have to mean stuffy, and the Shetland sweater is here to prove it. Yes, they’ve been made the same way since the late 19th century—and may even have been worn on your grandfather’s college campus—but even today, in the good year 2025, no cold-weather sweater style is as fuzzy, approachable, and light-yet-downright-cozy as the shaggy (and sometimes neon-bright) Shetland.

An Ivy style fixture, Shetland sweaters are made from the wool of Shetland sheep, which hail from—you guessed it—the Shetland Islands, located 120 miles north of mainland Scotland. These aren’t your average pampered sheep, either: They’re tough little survivalists, having spent generations enduring harsh winds, endless rain and the kind of cold that gets into your bones. As a result, their wool has evolved into a dense yet fine material that’s insulating, durable, and naturally water-resistant. (It’s also thought that the sheep’s seaweed-rich diet gives the style its added softness and luster.)

Really, it’s kind of a superwool: The unique crimp (a sweater word for waviness and heft) makes it soft, warm and breathable, and there’s a natural elasticity which helps the sweaters maintain their shape. No wonder, then, that the major Ivy outfitters—J. Press, Brooks Brothers, you know the drill—have stocked it as a winter essential since the 1950s, all the way through to today.

And these days, you don’t have to be a rowing club guy (or John F. Kennedy) to pull off a Shetland. They’re just as likely to show up in Japanese magazine editorials, at European fashion weeks, or just on chill dads who enjoy a good sweater. All that’s left now is to find the right one for you. To help you out, we’ve rounded up 14 of the true best Shetland sweaters for men—from classic staples to more adventurous takes. And considering the heritage, durability, and lore of Shetland wool, you’re getting a sweater that’ll last for years, look better with age and probably outlive half the stuff in your closet.

5 Shetland Sweaters Worth the Shelf Space

Jamieson’s of Shetland Brushed Crewneck

While other makers simply source Shetland wool, Jamieson’s sweaters are made on the rocky North Sea archipelago itself. This fifth-generation maker owns and runs the entire production process from sheep to sweater, with a price that reflects the streamlined no-middleman process. Everybody wins. Naturally, they have a ton of styles, but for softness from the beginning, the brand’s brushed options are the way to go. (They also make Shetlands in Fair Isle prints.)

William Lockie Shetland Sweater

If Jamieson’s is seafaring and traditional, William Lockie is its refined mainland cousin—still classic, but with a touch of polish. Also one of Scotland’s oldest family-run woollen mills, its Shetland wool is processed in the extra-soft waters of the River Teviot, giving it a smoother, lighter handle and making it an even more wearable option. These sweaters also have a trimmer fit, making them easier to layer under tailoring—or whatever else you’re piling on to fight the cold.

Howlin’ Shaggy Bear Brushed Wool Sweater

Howlin’ (Scottish slang for ‘smelly’) is an Antwerp-based brand with a knack for avant-garde colors and offbeat designs. But don’t let the playful origin fool you: Every sweater is traditionally produced in small batches in Scotland, retaining true heritage-level craftsmanship. This vividly dyed number comes from the brand’s ‘Shaggy Bear’ collection— named because each piece gets the full treatment from a vintage brushing machine, turning scratchy Shetland wool into something impossibly soft and wonderfully fuzzy.

Drake’s Brushed Shetland Crewneck

If Drake’s makes it, it’s going to blend British heritage with contemporary menswear-approved details. The brand hasn’t strayed too far from the traditional path this time in terms of look, but the wide array of both natural and eye-catching colors with a slightly relaxed fit and premium finish makes them, yet again, a great choice to get the look and quality without an overly vintage feel.

J.Press Chest Stripe Shaggy Dog Sweater

JFK’s chosen Shetland, J. Press’ Shaggy Dog sweaters are probably the most famous on this list. Brushed to a super shaggy, extra-plush finish, the Ivy outfitter offers them in classic fits, slim fits, cable-knit cardigans, V-necks, and even hoodies, but I like this collegiate stripe design as a nod to the sweater’s history.

Noah Floral Shetland Cardigan

Noah has been nailing the prep-meets-skate thing for a while now, blending collegiate aesthetics with just enough downtown edge to keep things interesting. True to form, its Shetland wool cardigan doesn’t just play the heritage game—it flips it, with jacquard flowers and a crewneck collar that Paul Mescal himself would surely grab out of your hands.

And Wander Shetland Sweater

And Wander’s Shetland sweater takes all the things you want in a hiking knit—soft, warm, durable, breathable—and gives it the functional, technical re-work the Japanese brand is known for. It’s made with five-gauge knitting to create a deliberately rugged, almost weathered texture that’s ready for the trails, but unlike the other Shetlands on this list, also has a handy chest pocket for stashing essentials.

O’Connell’s Cable Knit Shetland Sweater

If you read this far, you must really enjoy knowing your options. Smart! O’Connell’s—one of the last great American haberdasheries—has been selling menswear essentials in Buffalo, NY since 1959, remaining unbothered and unchanged in the face of trends. Ironically, that means they’re very on-trend right now: The cut is slightly cropped with a classic boxy fit, perfect for high-rise trousers. Plus, the color selection is deep, ranging from timeless staples to more unexpected hues like leprechaun, fuchsia, cobalt, and lilac.

More Shetland Sweaters to Consider