I Ran My Hands Through Dozens of Sweaters at Nordstrom—These 10 Are Soft IRL

Online shopping is amazing—except when you order a sweater, and when it finally arrives, you realize it’s itchy AF and end up tossing it in a donation bin just a few months later. A lot of my NYC shopping adventures tend to lead me to Nordstrom simply because the retailer has everything, and my most recent visit made me want to explore the sweater offerings. There really is an undeniable charm to physically touching, feeling, and trying on the clothing before you buy it. My trip to Nordstrom helped me determine which sweaters were actually cozy in real life.

Navigating the levels and levels of sellout-worthy clothing, I encountered an array of textures, colors, and styles that promised to elevate my winter wardrobe. From chunky cable-knit styles that whispered warmth to sleek, fitted designs that were made for layering, each sweater I tried had a unique story to tell. But beyond the aesthetics, my mission was to assess the quality, the feel of the fabric against my skin, and the overall craftsmanship. Out of the endless options I perused at the Nordstrom flagship store, below are the 10 sweaters I would actually take home with me.