I’ll be the first to admit I’m a brand snob. But as a writer, I don’t always have the budget for the newest runway designer collections — however, I’ve found wallet-friendly ways to make it seem like I do. My favorite method is to plan entire trips around shopping at thrift and consignment stores looking for vintage designer labels, which still requires shelling out some serious cash. When travel isn’t in the cards, I turn to an unlikely designer deal hub: Amazon.
The retailer is a secret treasure trove of luxe-looking fashion items and is frequently refreshed with luxe-inspired options. While updating my travel wardrobe, I scoured Amazon to see whether I could find stylish, high-quality fall sweaters that didn’t come at such a price premium. I still stand by the fact that you can’t match a luxury label’s indulgent fabrics and meticulous tailoring, but you sure can mimic the look with these 10 finds that could pass for their designer counterparts.
Naadam Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Cashmere is a natural, lightweight luxury fabric made from soft goat fur. It’s cozy, warm — and expensive. But Nadaam has crafted a 100 percent cashmere sweater for under $100, and you can get it at Amazon. Its classic crewneck sweater is a snug fit, so size up if you want a bit of slouchiness like The Row’s oversized brushed cashmere sweater that’s $2,890. The best part of Nadaam sweaters, in my opinion, is that they’re part of the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), a non-profit that works to improve animal welfare, preserve grasslands, and secure herder livelihoods. Beyond using cashmere, which is a natural textile (and better for the environment), Nadaam goes the extra mile to ensure its production is sustainable.
Drvitor American Flag Sweater
Ralph Lauren’s iconic Americana knit sweaters were seen all over the Olympics this summer. You can get a similar look with this affordable sweater from Amazon-favorite brand Drvitor, which has even won over fans of the original version. Reviewers also note the sweater runs slightly large, so if you want a fitted feel, you might want to size down.
Gorglitter Cropped Button-up Cardigan
This red cardigan brings the perfect pop of color to a fall outfit and is a fraction of the cost of the $640 designer version I found. One reviewer, who wore it to a wedding, called this Amazon style “elegant and warm,” adding that “it is a heavier material” and looked “beautiful on.” Style this with black pencil-leg pants, ballet flats, and a red lip for a classic French look.
GreenMount Cashmere Sweater
This cashmere sweater is the affordable twin for a $550 option I’ve been eyeing. It’s also made with pure cashmere and shares the same casualness as its designer twin (minus the V neckline). In fact, one Amazon shopper shared that it’s “incredibly soft; I can totally tell it’s cashmere,” adding that it’s earned bonus points for its versatility. “The style is a little bit slouchy,” they continued, “but not so much that you can’t wear it to a more relaxed office work environment.”
Ykr Turtleneck Sweater Long-sleeve Knitted Pullover
Oversized turtlenecks are a cozy fall staple. Style this high-low turtleneck, which looks just like this $220 sweater, with a silk midi skirt for a comfortable and elegant evening outfit, or wear it with jeans and loafers for a casual daytime look. One reviewer has even more style ideas I’ll be copying: “It is thick and soft and can be dressed up with a skirt or palazzo pants or down paired with jeans and a blazer.”
Veatzer Puff-sleeve Peplum Knit Sweater
Similar to Gabriella Hearst’s exquisite, $1,950 wool peplum sweater, this crewneck sweater also has a peplum style. One reviewer called the sweater “so pretty and extremely flattering,” adding, “I’m looking forward to making several outfits with these and either slim jeans, pencil skirts, or straight pants.”
Romanstii Deep V-neck Polo Cashmere Sweater
A lightweight polo sweater is perfect for fall travels as a base layer to add on warming coats and cardigans. This polo sweater, which is a $50 lookalike for this $350 style, is a blend of cashmere and nylon, so it’s sure to be warm and insulating. “This is a soft beautiful sweater,” remarked one shopper, adding that it’s “breathable, and [has] just enough warmth for the autumn seasons.”
Aran Woolen Mills Merino Wool Cable-knit Cardigan
Aran sweaters (also known as the fisherman’s sweaters, which are named after the fishermen of the Irish Aran Islands) blend Irish heritage with unbeatable warmth. Here, this timeless chunky-knit style is made of the Aran sweater’s signature naturally water-repellent wool and is available on Amazon for $172 (hundreds of dollars less than it would cost to buy it from designer labels where it’s upwards of $700). One Amazon shopper was shocked at the sweater’s high-quality feel, saying, “Wow, is it cozy. [It] took the chill right away. [It’s] warm, soft, and it appears to be very well made.”
Deep Self V-neck Quarter-zip Pullover Stretch Sweater
A simple half-zip knit sweater gives any outfit an easy preppy coastal feel, perfect for destinations like Charleston or Boston. This one comes in eighteen different colors, and it’s a convincing lookalike for a designer style that’s $550. Shoppers suggest sizing up if you’re layering the sweater or want it longer to wear over leggings. Add a white button-down underneath so the collar peaks out at the neck and you can cuff the quarter-length sleeves.
Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.
