Best affordable women's designer sweaters

Start with the Vince boiled funnel-neck pullover. It's the sweet spot of this list: 100% cashmere, a clean modern shape that works over jeans or a slip dress, and it's the one piece here where the designer name doesn't come with a four-figure tag. Hand-wash cold and it'll last years.

Who the others suit:

• NAADAM Original Cashmere Crewneck — the safest buy if you want a classic crew you'll wear weekly; hugely well reviewed and the best value per wear.
• Everlane Cocoon Crew in alpaca — for a relaxed, slightly oversized silhouette and a softer, fuzzier hand than cashmere; dry-clean only.
• Theory V-neck cashmere — for office and layering over shirts; the most polished, understated cut.
• Dale of Norway Geilo — if you want a proper wool ski-style sweater rather than a fine knit; merino, half-zip, built for cold.
• Dior and Prada knits — only if a visible logo or couture label is the point; they're statement pieces, not everyday value.

Skip anything unlabelled or fast-fashion in the same search — the knit quality is where the money goes.