The Best Sweaters Under $40 (And Where They're Hiding)

Woman walks through tall flowers in cozy fall outfit, brown turtleneck tunic sweater, olive green skinny cargo pants, ankle booties, wide brim hat, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

Every year come fall I start living in sweaters the minute the first leaf turns color. They're snuggly, stylish...forgiving once the steady diet of cookies and red wine kicks into high gear. Real talk: for as many sweaters as I wear I can't be buying them at $70+ a pop (mama ain't a millionaire), so luckily I know THE BEST PLACE for the best sweaters. It's called...H&M.

This is my third straight year raiding H&M's sweater section early and often. They've got all the colors in a variety of styles for under $50. Better yet, each sweater averages around $35 or so. And even better still, they're quality items that stand up year after year. Several of the sweaters I'm styling below are from years past and still going strong! And I have it on good authority that they can hold their own against the likes of Vince sweaters that retail around $400.

Woman smiles holding yellow flower toward camera in cozy fall outfit, brown turtleneck tunic sweater, olive green skinny cargo pants, ankle booties, wide brim hat, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

Below are my picks for the best sweater buys at H&M for fall and the holidays. First, you'll see some everyday and special occasion outfit ideas for how I wear my favorite H&M sweaters. Please note that when specific items are old or sold out I will link an item comparable in style and price.

After the outfits, you will find a curated H&M sweater boutique of the best fall and holiday sweaters available in their current collection.

A few notes before we get started!

Their sweaters typically run true to size. My rule of thumb is if it's slouchy I will buy my usual size. If it's fitted, I may size up.
The embellished holiday sweaters can go up to about $50. Still a good price, just a tad higher than their average price point.

Turtleneck Tunic

Snuggly-chic, a great sweater for wearing with leggings. Style it up by loosely half-tucking it in the front of your jeans and layering under a blazer.

These outfits show the sweater with jeans (psst! It's the same sweater as in the cover photo!).

Three ways to style H&M brown turtleneck tunic sweater for fall, black blazer and snakeskin print booties, fair isle cardigan, plaid blazer and ballet flats, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

Left: SWEATER // BLAZER // GRAY JEANS // SNAKESKIN BOOTIES

Center: SWEATER // HAT // CARDIGAN // JEANS // BOOTIES

Right: SWEATER // BLAZER // JEANS // FLATS

Here's the same sweater styled with velvet leggings two ways: one "dressed up" and one casual for a cold day.

Two ways to style H&M brown turtleneck tunic sweater, denim jacket and mules, wubby fleece jacket and lace up boots, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

Left: SWEATER // HAT // DENIM JACKET // SCARF // LEGGINGS // MULES

Right: SWEATER // WUBBY COAT // LEGGINGS // LACE-UP BOOTS

CABLE KNIT CROPPED TURTLENECK

A classic knit in one of fall's most versatile colors. It's short enough not to have to tuck into high rise pants if you don't want to, but you totally can (and I did with the skirt).

three ways to style H&M tan turtleneck sweater, blazer and jeans, pleated skirt, utility jacket, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

Left: SWEATER // BLAZER // JEANS // SNAKESKIN BOOTIES

Center: SWEATER // PLEATED SKIRT // LEOPARD PUMPS

Right: SWEATER // UTILITY JACKET // JEANS // CHELSEA BOOTS

Here's one more outfit styled with wide leg cropped pants, a fabulous fall piece to mix up your denim. They can be dressed up OR down!

Outfit selfie in H&M tan turtleneck cable knit sweater and Madewell Emmett corduroy wide leg cropped pants, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

SWEATER // WIDE LEG CORDUROY PANTS // OVER THE KNEE BOOTS

RIBBED KNIT PULLOVER

Shorter in length, fuller through the sleeves, these pullover sweaters balance fitted skinny jeans and flatter the higher waistlines of high-rise jeans and wide leg cropped pants. This year's version of this sweater also comes in beige, tan, olive, and pink.

Three ways to wear H&M gray pullover sweater, leather jacket and leopard scarf, wide brim hat, utility jacket and riding boots, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

SWEATER // JEANS // RIDING BOOTS // HAT

LEATHER JACKET // LEOPARD PRINT SCARF (LEFT) // UTILITY JACKET // LEOPARD PRINT SCARF (RIGHT)

FUZZY + FUN SWEATERS

A simple white sweater in the fall is as classic as its summery white t-shirt counterpart. I like the fuzziness of this white pullover sweater with light wash jeans and sneakers. It's also fun layered under this plaid cardigan (also from H&M) with ripped jeans and ballet flats.

Outfit selfie in fuzzy white H&M pullover sweater and jeans, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

Outfit selfie in H&M fuzzy white pullover sweater, black plaid cardigan, ripped jeans, and ballet flats, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

WHITE SWEATER // PLAID CARDIGAN // JEANS // BALLET FLATS

Christmas & Holiday

Whether dressy or tongue-in-cheek, H&M's holiday sweaters are the BEST. Perfect dressed down for decorating and play dates, or styled up with a pleated skirt or trousers for your holiday party.

Outfit selfie in H&M Christmas sweater layered over gray turtleneck and jeans with a red knit beanie, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

CHRISTMAS SWEATER // TURTLENECK // RED BEANIE // JEANS

I LOVE H&M's Fair Isle sweaters for true snowy, wintry days. I've layered it over a thin gray turtleneck and then styled it two ways for staying warm on a cold day.

Two ways to wear H&M Fair isle sweater for winter, parka coat and snow boots, puffer jacket and combat boots, fashion blog, casual fall outfit ideas

FAIR ISLE SWEATER // LEGGINGS // TURTLENECK

PARKA COAT // BEANIE // SNOW BOOTS

PUFFER VEST // COMBAT BOOTS

Here's a handpicked edit of my favorite H&M sweaters currently available for fall and the holidays. Simply click the image to go to the item page.

Fall Sweaters

Holiday Sweaters

Christmas wishes, wintry prints, beads, pearls, and all the bling! H&M's holiday sweater shop is my fave of all.

Thank you for coming by the blog today!

xxBrooke