Warm as wool, even though it's cotton — the "pullover you can rely on"

What should people who dislike itchy fabric wear in winter?

On cold days, we want to bundle up in warm clothing. But warm sweaters are often made of wool, which makes it hard for people who dislike scratchy fabric or have sensitive skin to have both warmth and comfort at the same time. Wouldn't it be great to have a pullover you could rely on, one that says "as long as I have this, I'll be fine," without having to compromise on either? This time, we bring you a ranking of warm cotton-blend pullovers for those who dislike itchy fabric.

What kind of person dislikes the itchiness of wool? A checklist

✔︎ When wearing wool, areas with thin skin—such as the neck, wrists, inner arms, and sides—start to itch

✔︎ Even when wearing a long cotton undershirt beneath a sweater, the itchiness seems to poke through and prick the skin

✔︎ Skin is especially dry in winter, and it feels rough even after applying body cream

If you check these boxes and also tend to feel the cold easily, you're probably someone who struggles to find the right thing to wear in winter. For people like you, let's take a look at the cotton-blend pullovers currently featured at ZUTTO, ranked according to our staff's personal judgment and sense of warmth.

Warm with the right approach — a warmth ranking of non-wool pullovers

No. 1: Fleece-Lined Mock Neck Panel Pullover

At first glance, it looks like ordinary sweatshirt fabric, but the inside is actually brushed fleece, as fluffy as a blanket. The designer fell in love with this warm, lightweight fabric and created this pullover specifically to make use of it.

When staff first held the finished product, they were surprised by its softness. "The brushed fibers on the inside are long and so silky-soft that when I picked it up folded, it felt like it might just fall apart in my hands."

This staff member later bought the pullover and has been wearing it enthusiastically ever since, though they mentioned that wearing it in early autumn actually made them too warm and sweaty. "I shouldn't have treated it like ordinary sweatshirt fabric," they said. So they've saved it for serious use starting in December.

"It's warm from the moment you put it on, so it makes for a happy feeling on cold mornings. It's thick yet light and soft, and doesn't require any special care, so it's truly a piece I rely on. The Y-shaped panel design at the neckline is unlike anything else, and it's a subtle detail I really love. I was surprised to learn from the designer that it's not just decorative—it also functions as a shoulder panel, making it easier to move your shoulders and arms."

"Both the body and sleeve widths are generous, so as it gets colder you can layer a warm inner layer underneath for extra protection—it seems well suited to layering. The sleeves have a lot of volume, so you can't wear it under jackets or other outerwear with narrow sleeves, but roomy pieces like overcoats work just fine."

No. 2: Unisex CABOT Brushed-Back Sweatshirt

A zip-up sweatshirt with a slightly retro feel. Rather than following a modern pattern, it was deliberately made to follow the details and pattern of vintage sweatshirts.

Unlike the standard crew neck or hooded "sweatshirt," its high design quality is the key point.

"It looks thick, but the brushed-back fabric is actually a bit thinner, lighter, and softer than I expected. The curly, fleece-like texture feels gentle and pleasant against the skin. Being thin doesn't mean it's cold—even at 100% cotton, it provides proper warmth."

A staff member who loves the plump, gentle texture of 100% cotton and buys a FilMelange brushed-back sweatshirt every year chose this one this time around. Since it can be washed easily, unlike knitwear—useful for times like going out in crowds—it's apparently getting a lot of wear this winter in particular.

▲The inside is brushed fleece, as fluffy as sheep's wool

Recommended for those who don't like snug turtlenecks, since you can adjust the looseness at the neck with the zipper while still staying warm. It's great how the impression changes depending on where you fasten it—unzip it a little for a sporty look, or zip it all the way up for a more composed silhouette. The white zipper gives it a slightly retro touch, expanding the range of outfits you can coordinate with this sweatshirt.

"Zipping it up and standing the collar makes it feel even warmer. Since it has some room, you can layer an inner garment for extra warmth. Right after putting it on, I thought it might be thinner and colder than expected, but because the body is roomy, it seems to be the type of garment that traps air and warms up as you wear it—it got warmer the longer I had it on. Since it's cotton, it stays comfortable even if you sweat."

No. 3: Unisex PANTHER Printed Brushed-Back Sweatshirt

Made from the same fabric as the CABOT Brushed-Back Sweatshirt above, but featuring an adorable print.

「Being a crew neck, it has no collar, so it felt a bit cold in that respect, but as with the one above, it has some ease to it, so I think it's the type that wraps you in air and warms you gradually. If you're wearing it outside, it's better to layer something underneath that warms up the neck area, like a shirt or turtleneck.」

The "Panther" print was inspired by secondhand clothing, and true to that concept, it uses a flocked print that looks like felt has been attached—one that develops variations in color depth the more you wear it.

This is a sweatshirt from the same series that a staff member purchased two years ago. In the printed area, repeated washing has caused some cracking in the print and some fading of the color. Combined with the softened, worn-in feel of the sweatshirt fabric and the wear marks on the gusset, it's apparently become even more beloved to her.

No. 4: Super Heavy Waffle Turtleneck

It's 100% cotton and doesn't have a brushed fleece backing, but it's made of a super heavy waffle fabric that's knitted as densely as the knitting machine's limits allow.

「It's not the kind of material that makes you feel warm the instant you put it on, like a wool sweater would. But since it's a thick, tightly woven waffle fabric, it has good heat retention, so you gradually feel warmer and warmer.」

The collar is made of doubled-over fabric, and you fold it over again when wearing it, so it wraps around your neck to keep you warm. Along with the collar, the overall compact fit that hugs your body seems to provide warmth on its own. Also, the ribbing on the cuffs is cut a bit longer, which shuts out cold air from the sleeve openings.

「It's a slim fit that hugs the body, and compared to other items, it's a bit heavier and feels firmer. Since the fabric is so sturdy, it holds up well even when washed roughly in a washing machine. I think you'll enjoy how the texture gradually softens over time.」

　

▲There's also a crew neck version made of the same super heavy waffle fabric. This one has a V-shaped gusset at the neck, giving it a classic feel. Being a crew neck, it's also easy to wear as an inner layer.

No. 5: Super Urake Pullover

This is a Henley neck design where the center front opens down to the chest and closes with three hooks. Henley necks are usually associated with buttons, but using hooks instead gives it a more refined, mature impression. The hardware itself has an antique-style finish.

True to its name, "Super," this is a densely brushed urake (fleece-lined) fabric that's thick yet soft and smooth, making it a pleasure to wear.

「In terms of warmth from the material alone, being 100% cotton, this ranks second. In fact, this fabric is made by the same maker as FilMelange, whose items ranked second and third, so its comfort and warmth are proven. Unlike ordinary urake fabric, which has a looped texture, this super urake fabric has been brushed to create a fluffy texture, giving a comfort that feels almost like being wrapped in mouton (sheepskin).」

「The reason it ranked lower is that the body length and sleeve length are on the short side. In particular, the short sleeve length combined with the wide sleeve width lets in cold air, so I'd recommend wearing an inner layer underneath and using it as an accent piece in your outfit. Since there's plenty of room in the sleeves and body width, it's also great as relaxed roomwear.」 

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In putting together this original ranking, we consulted with a ZUTTO designer. She's in charge of our original clothing line, and after trying on various pullovers from other brands for this feature, she apparently had some thoughts of her own.

「This time, I really got to feel firsthand just how different the sense of warmth is depending on whether something covers the neck or not! I think that even with cotton, fabrics and designs that incorporate features like brushed backing, thicker material, or a high neck can actually feel warmer than a thin wool sweater. There are a lot of people who just can't handle wool, and for their sake, learning how to balance warmth within skin-friendly materials like cotton and silk was valuable—something I can apply to future item development. I'd be happy if this helps everyone with choosing their own pullover.」 

▼Click here for our long-sleeve cut-and-sew and sweatshirt category