The Best Cardigans, According to People Whose Taste We Trust
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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Formerly the domain of preppy grandmothers’ closets and school uniforms, the trusty cardigan is having something of a moment. Everyone from famous people like Martha Stewart and Katie Holmes to stylish content creators like Leandra Medine Cohen and our resident Strategist Hunt expert Mya Gelber is wearing them. Versatile and downright cozy, cardigans are easy to wear throughout the seasons. Both polished and laid-back, they look just as good draped over your shoulders as they do layered into an outfit or worn as a top.
In our current cardigan boom, there are plenty of good contenders for your closet, so I interviewed fashionable women, including personal stylists, brand consultants, and authors, to hear about which ones they’re wearing. I also tested a range of styles myself and consulted Strategist staffers to get their take on the best cardigans for women. Below, you’ll find cardigans grouped by price, from lightweight cotton-cashmere cardis to ones with charming mother-of-pearl buttons.
Under $50
Uniqlo Merino Cardigan
$50
$50
It’s difficult to find cardigans under $50 (unless they’re on sale), so I was eager to test Uniqlo’s ultra-fine merino-wool cardigan, which retails for exactly $49.90. The length is on the shorter side, but it’s not cropped, and I’d say it falls somewhere between boxy and fitted. I own the off-white color, which is slightly sheer, but that doesn’t bother me, as I often layer it over a T-shirt or tank top. The material is smooth and not scratchy, and it washes very well, especially considering the relatively low price point.
$50
at UniqloGap Factory Crewneck Cardigan
From $45
From $45
For a super-simple, all-cotton cardi, this is our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman’s pick. She says the fit and length are great: “I can fully button and tuck it into high-waisted pants, or keep a couple of buttons open over a skirt or pants.” Wartzman describes the 100 percent cotton material as soft and good quality, and though it’s lightweight, she says it still feels substantial.
From $45
at Gap FactoryUnder $100
Gap CashSoft Cardigan
From $70
From $70
The author of the newsletter The Corner Booth, Tamkin likes to go for cardigans that are made with natural materials — as in cotton, wool, cashmere, or silk — because she often wears them without anything underneath. Gap’s CashSoft cardigan is made with over 50 percent cotton, plus 47 percent nylon, which makes it the perfect weight for wearing alone as a shirt, Tamkin says. “And it’s machine-washable and maintains its quality,” Tamkin told me, adding that hers hasn’t pilled and still looks perfect.
After hearing Tamkin’s review of the CashSoft Cardigan, I reached out to a Gap brand representative to test a sample. They told me that the CashSoft knit is a proprietary fabric that offers the feel and weight of traditional cashmere but is easy to care for. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say it feels exactly like cashmere (Tamkin agrees), it does offer a similar softness and airy weight, but with more durability. It’s become a mainstay in my closet because it’s so cozy and plush against my skin, and I never get sweaty while wearing it.
From $70
at GapBoden Catriona Cotton Cardigan
$90
$90
Tamkin also recommends Boden’s Catriona cardigan, which has a high percentage of cotton and comes in a slew of colors. Her styling tip: Layer two of the cardigans in different colors.
$90
at BodenCou Cou Intimates The Cardigan
$98
$98
Strategist contributor Nicolaia Rips was searching for an easier way to get dressed when she discovered this pointelle cardigan from Cou Cou Intimates. Since first receiving it, Rips has worn hers daily (and she’s even bought two more). “The Cardigan has all the solemnity and economy of a school uniform, with the comfort of a pajama and the sex appeal of ’90s Gwyneth Paltrow,” she explains.
$98
at Cou Cou IntimatesNáti Boutique Georgia Cardigan
$69
$69
Our junior writer Bella Druckman picked up this cable-knit cardigan earlier this fall and has been wearing it at least once a week since — she especially loves to pair it with her red mary janes from Madewell. Druckman says she’s gotten tons of compliments on the sweater, and though she has sensitive skin, the material never feels itchy. As for fit, the hemline hits at the waist, right where high-waisted pants end (though, Druckman notes, she does have a shorter torso).
$69
at Náti BoutiqueUnder $200
Sézane Gaspard Cardigan
$120
$120
It’s virtually impossible to talk about cardigans without mentioning Parisian-chic brand Sézane. The brand’s Gaspard cardigan is their signature cut, with a round neckline and light rib-knit. Joy Asibey-Gabriel, founder of the styling company Black Lady of Leisure, loves that it can be worn two ways: as a cardigan with the mother-of-pearl-effect buttons at the front or as a sweater with the buttons down the back. She’s partial to the cherry-red color. “I’d pair this with high-rise, wide-leg jeans in a dark wash and a red lip,” Asibey-Gabriel adds.
$120
at SézaneSézane Emile Cardigan
$170
$170
I wanted to test out Sézane’s cardigans myself, so I called in this chunky Emile cardi. It’s made with alpaca and wool and features the most delightful puffy sleeves. The oversized silhouette makes it an excellent layering piece that can be dressed up or down. I often pair the Emile with wide-leg trousers when I’m grabbing dinner with a friend or over a T-shirt and leggings if I’m running out to the grocery store.
$170
at SézaneAritzia Wilfred Golightly Cardigan
$118
$118
Our senior editor Hilary Reid has owned this cardigan for a few months now and says it’s a great option if you’re looking for a lightish sweater that doubles as a dinner top. It features a dropped silhouette through the shoulder with slightly oversized sleeves, and it’s fitted through the entire waist area. “The fitted bottom makes it feel a bit dressier and less bookish than your average cardigan,” Reid told me. “It makes it easy to wear untucked with skirts or wool pants.”
$118
at AritziaAlex Mill Taylor Rollneck Cardigan in Cotton Cashmere
$175
$175
“When I first got Alex Mill’s Rollneck cardigan last year, I had no idea that it would become such a staple in my wardrobe, but through multiple seasons, it’s become a must-wear,” says brand consultant Aemilia Madden. Madden says it’s the perfect medium weight to make it versatile: “I can layer it under jackets when the weather is cooler, but I also recently wore it on the plane to Tokyo and have tied it over my shoulders for windy beach days.” It has a lot of buttons, so Madden says she’s not inclined to wear it undone as often as she might with other cardigans, but she loves the slightly relaxed fit and the roll-neck, which pops out from underneath a collar. “My cardigan is red, but at the moment, the navy and white would make for great everyday neutral options,” Madden adds.
Reid is also a fan of this Alex Mill piece and says that it was her most-worn cardigan through the fall and that she’ll be layering it right into winter. The cashmere-cotton blend means it’s perfect for 50- to 60-something-degree days in the fall, and the buttons are spaced closely together so you can adjust them based on exactly how much skin you want to show, according to Reid. “It’s truly something that when it’s in the laundry, I can’t wait for it to be clean again because I’m so eager to wear it,” Reid says.
$175
at Alex MillQuince Mongolian Structured Cashmere Cardigan
$160
$160
Reid was sent this Quince cardigan to test and has been impressed by the quality, especially considering the price point. She describes the cashmere as “thick and luxurious” and says it “feels very put-together to wear — almost blazer-esque but still casual — and has an elegant cut.” If you’re not sure what to pair with this number, Reid wears hers with jeans and corduroys, but her favorite way to style it is with structured knit pants, which she says creates an ’80s-inspired head-to-toe knit-suiting look.
$160
at QuinceReformation Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan
$198
$198
The sweater section at Reformation has tons of excellent cashmere pieces, and after testing this cardigan, I know I’ll be going back to try more styles soon. It’s a great mid-weight to get you through the chillier months of the year, and the cashmere, which is 95 percent recycled, isn’t overly delicate or flimsy. It’s incredibly soft, and I love that the relaxed fit makes it easy to layer over a thin turtleneck or long-sleeve T-shirt. I went for my usual size small and would say this definitely runs true to size.
$198
at ReformationC by Bloomingdale’s Cashmere Crewneck Cashmere Cardigan
$178
$178
With a similar round neckline to the Reformation piece above, this cardigan offers a slimmer silhouette. Reid has owned hers for around six years and says it’s really ideal if you want something that you can wear on its own as a top. “The cashmere is thick and warm but not so substantial that you can’t tuck this one into a pair of jeans easily,” she explains, adding that she has the navy but would absolutely buy it in more colors. “It’s just a perfect, basic, reasonably priced cashmere cardigan.”
$178
at Bloomingdale'sOver $200
Babaà Cardigan No23 Earth
$288
$288
Babaà has been a buzzy brand for a few years — and especially so this year on TikTok around Black Friday — so it’s only fitting that one of the brand’s beautiful knits made this list. Our writer Dominique Pariso owns this 100 percent wool cardigan and says the fabric has never been an issue for her as long as she wears a T-shirt underneath. Pariso, who’s five-foot-six, says it’s cropped on her, which is something to keep in mind fit-wise. And because it has slightly shorter sleeves, she likes to style it with a long sleeve of a different color.
[Editors’ note: Babaà lists its prices in euros, so this is an approximation to U.S. dollars.]
$288
at BabaaQuince Luxe Baby Cashmere Cable Cardigan
$250
$250
“I never grew out of my ’90s obsession with roll-necks and cable-knits, but I think it has served me well,” says Hannah Selinger, author of the forthcoming memoir Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly. Her pick is this chunky Quince cardigan, which Selinger says goes well with anything from casual shirts to more tailored blouses: “Ditto for trousers and jeans since the ’90s mom look is enjoying a revival — lucky for me, a 2024 mom.” She also appreciates that it’s made with cashmere — Mongolian baby cashmere, to be exact — which “never goes out of style” and makes this cardigan a “multi-season essential.” Selinger says you can’t go wrong with this soft, easy-to-incorporate, and wardrobe-flexible piece.
$250
at QuinceTory Burch Logo Button Wool Cardigan
$598
$598
Another one of Selinger’s favorites is this Tory Burch cardigan. “Black is one of my essential wardrobe colors (no surprise there), and this piece is great for throwing on over a T-shirt or for wearing as a solo piece,” she says. The buttons are on the more formal side, giving this one a dressier look, so Selinger says she likes to keep it handy if she’s wearing a dress on a cool fall evening.
$598
at Tory BurchUlla Johnson Haley Cardigan
$490
$490
This Ulla Johnson design “balances peekaboo sexy with a prim and proper silhouette,” says Asibey-Gabriel. She loves the soft knit cables — a blend of baby alpaca and merino wool — and the romantic blousy sleeves. The Haley Cardigan also has mother-of-pearl buttons and is available in black, ivory, and lavender.
$490
at Ulla Johnson&Daughter Enya Cashmere Cardigan
$620
$620
If you’re looking for more cashmere, &Daughter’s is a favorite of Tamkin’s. This cardigan is made with a fine cashmere yarn that’s blended with cotton to offer extra breathability. Given the steeper price tag, the Enya cardigan is certainly an investment piece, but Tamkin says, “The cashmere quality is great, and I very much love the fun colors.” She owns the purple colorway.
$620
at And DaughterEmma Rothkopf Lise Cardigan
$480
$480
Reid was gifted this cardigan by Emma Rothkopf, and while the price is on the steeper end, she does think it would be worth it if you’re looking to splurge. It’s made of undyed wool and has a slightly chunky and cropped silhouette, which Reid says looks almost like a little jacket in the best way. “It feels handmade and truly special — it would be a really lovely gift for the person, say, who has been collecting Babaà sweaters for years,” Reid notes.
$480
at Emma Rothkopfget the strategist newsletter
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Women's Cardigans & Coverups
WOMEN'S CARDIGANS FAQS
HOW DO YOU WEAR A cardigan sweater?
For decades, cardigan sweaters have remained a staple piece in any woman's wardrobe. And it's no wonder with their timeless appeal and versatility. Better still, we've revamped this classic piece to fit the modern woman.
Cardigans are a perfect layering piece for professional attire when paired with a sleek pair of trousers and a tank top, but you can also wear them casually. Cardigan jackets are ideal for chilly days when you don't want to wear a coat but still want to keep your shoulders warm. Instantly look more put together when you throw them over t-shirts, bodysuits, or blouses.
Women's cardigans are also an alternative to a sweater. With tighter-fitting cardigans, you can wear them as is. Just button it up, and you've got a chic and cozy top to wear just about anywhere.
How you style your cardigan is up to you, it effortlessly pairs with nearly any pants and shoes.
WHAT STYLES OF CARDIGAN SWEATERS DOES WHBM HAVE?
Our latest selection includes versatile options when it comes to cardigan sweaters, including sheer, ribbed, and boyfriend cardigans. We also have styles that double as a cardigan and a women's cover-up for the beach.
You can also find cardigan sweaters in an exciting spectrum of colors and patterns. We have women's cardigans in classic neutral colors and patterns like plaid and dual-tone designs.
Some of our women's cardigans also have intricate detailing for those days you want to dress up. You'll find cardigan sweaters with silver buttons and hook bar closures that add the perfect touch of flair.
CAN CARDIGANS BE ELEGANT?
You can style women's cardigans in countless ways, but they're also ideal for elegant occasions. Have a wedding coming up and need something to throw over your shoulders? A cardigan jacket is a perfect fix. You can wear cardigan sweaters with dresses and skirts, and they will add a sophisticated touch to any outfit.
You can easily dress them up for upscale occasions with the right jewelry and accessories.
HOW SHOULD CARDIGANS FIT?
The desired fit depends on your body type and the style of cardigan sweater you're wearing. Longer cardigans typically fit more loosely and are worn as a cover-up over another shirt. However, tighter-fitting cardigans accentuate your shape more and can be worn without a shirt underneath.
Many of our cardigans also have front ties that allow you to cinch your waist or loosely tie them for a more defined silhouette.
If you need help finding women's cardigans that flatter your figure, you can visit one of our boutiques for help from our fashion experts.
Women's Sweaters & Cardigans
Cardigan sweaters for women are knitted garments that have an open front. They can be worn both open and closed—similar to a jacket. Some cardigan sweaters for women serve mainly as a fashion choice. But they can also provide warmth as an intermediate layer on cold days, or as a primary layer on cool days.
Types of cardigan sweaters for women
Cardigans are often made out of a mix of synthetic and natural materials including polyester, nylon, and wool. They’re usually made with button-up construction, but can sometimes be made with a zipper instead. Cardigan sweaters for women are made in many different colors and patterns including plaid, leopard print, and others. While some cardigans come down to around the waist and fit relatively close to the arms, others are specifically designed to be over-sized. In these cases, cardigans may be very loose through the arm and come all the way down to the lower leg—almost like a robe. Some cardigans have additional features such as pockets, or a secondary pattern on their reverse side.
When to wear a cardigan sweater
When worn with a hat , pair of jeans and booties , cardigan sweaters can serve as a stylish part of your fall wardrobe. They can be a great choice for casual activities like apple picking, going out to dinner with friends, or hosting a cocktail party. In some outdoor work settings, a cardigan can be worn under a jacket to provide warmth.
Women’s cardigan sweaters from Ariat
Our women’s cardigan sweaters are available in a ton of great styles, patterns and colors. Whether you’re looking for an oversized sweater to curl up in or a form-fitting one to wear under your parka at the barn, you’ll find plenty of great options. Shop our collection today!
