For someone who loves Sweater Weather as much as I do, I struggle to find the PERFECT sweater, seemingly over and over again each winter.

I am never Satisfied.

(Sorry, I am presently listening to this song from the Hamilton Mixtape on repeat.)

The perfect sweater to me is one that just works whether I’m going to a movie with friends or running errands. It’s comfortable and yet stylish, a step up (at least) from your nicest sweatshirt. The perfect sweater can’t be itchy or too tight or so loose it makes me look like a trash heap.

After a few wearings, I often decide something is wrong with the newest sweater. The sleeves or body are too short. It isn’t soft enough. The material has pilled. It shrinks with laundering. Etc.

Image via totallystitchin.net

Recently I had a week-long business-and-personal trip and, as usual, I packed poorly for it.

I had business in Dallas (somewhat warm), and then flew to Scranton (via Charlotte) for a night before driving to Pittsburgh with my mother. Pennsylvania temps were noticeably cooler than Dallas – DUH. I had only brought my new motorcycle jacket as outerwear which was stupid given that we were going to be outside a lot, including at a nighttime outdoor football game.

So I went shopping in Pittsburgh and luckily I found a new favorite sweater (as well as another coat. More on that later).

Athleta’s Ravine Tunic is my Perfect Sweater. I love its relaxed fit and loose turtleneck. It keeps me warm, but not too warm. And because it’s a wool blend, no itching!

Via Athleta

I got the sweater in black which has, unfortunately, sold out, but it comes in other colors. I’m buying the white for sure, and maybe the red too.

Athleta has some other great items. I want these pants for lounging around, and am waiting for this cashmere tunic to go on sale

Here are a few other sweaters with Perfect potential:

Via Splendid, DVF, Target, Madewell, Etsy and French Connection