Your Winter Cardigan Shopping Guide

When it comes to dressing for colder temperatures, layering is key.

I’ve lived in the northeast for my entire life, and I’ll still never fully be ready for the chill that seems to reappear year after year, marking the start of a new season.

However, I’ve learned to appreciate having all four seasons because it makes me appreciate the ones I like best more.

And for the seasons I’m not as big of a fan of—cough, cough, WINTER—I like to find ways to make them more enjoyable and that often starts with my outfits.

For winter and fall, knitwear reigns supreme in my wardrobe and that’s why I wanted to create a whole guide to one of my favorite pieces of knitwear: the cardigan.

What is a cardigan?

A cardigan is an open-front knit sweater that may have buttons or a zipper closure. It can be loose or tight-fitting.

Is a cardigan a sweater?

Yes, a cardigan is a type of sweater! The biggest thing that differentiates it from other sweaters is the open-front quality.

Most other sweaters are classified as pullover sweaters where—you guessed it!—you’d have to pull the sweater over your head in order to wear it.

Some pull-over sweaters do incorporate zippers (known as quarter-zips) or buttons too, but unless the entire front can be opened so that it can be slipped on or off, those wouldn’t technically be considered cardigans. 

History of the cardigan

Cardigans have been around for quite a while—they actually get their name from a British Army major general named James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan. 

The design was reportedly modeled after the knitted wool waistcoats that British officers would wear during the Crimean War, fought between 1853 and 1856 in Europe.

It’s pretty impressive that the cardigan has stood the test of time since it was first introduced back then and it is still worn universally today.

When I think about some of the most popular silhouettes in modern fashion history the first one that instantly pops into my mind is the Little Black Dress, which wasn’t popularized by Chanel until almost 70 years later.

Pretty cool right? I’m always curious to hear the origin story of different fashion items.

Different types of cardigans

As I mentioned earlier in this post, even though the cardigan is generally defined as a sweater with an open front, there are plenty of different variations on the classic cardigan silhouette.

Boyfriend cardigans 

As the name might suggest, a boyfriend cardigan tends to be a bit oversized, almost as if you’ve swiped it straight from your partner’s closet.

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Buttoned cardigans

A cardigan that buttons in the front is a wardrobe classic, and can vary from smaller buttons on a more tight-fitting cardigan to larger buttons on one that has a roomier fit.

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Cropped cardigans

While not entirely practical, cropped cardigans can be cute during transitional seasons like spring or fall and they can be great for layering.

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Long cardigans 

A long cardigan is one that extends down past your waist. It may reach your thighs or even go down to your calves, making it an ultra-cozy option.

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Wrap cardigans 

If you want to be comfy while still looking presentable, a wrap cardigan is a great option because it will allow you to tie it at the waist, giving you a more cinched silhouette.

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Zipped

You can also try out a cardigan that zips in the front—this is most similar to a sweatshirt but it doesn’t have a hood.

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Choosing a fabric

Pretty much all cardigans will be made up of knit fabrics, but there are more choices than you might think within the knit category. Let’s review some of my favorites:

Cable knit

First up: you can’t go wrong with a classic cable knit. These cardigans tend to be thicker because of the weave pattern that emulates (you guessed it) ropes or cables.

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Jersey

A jersey cardigan fabric will be much thinner than cable knit cardigans but sometimes can be just the perfect outfit topper, especially on a mild night. Jersey fabric is super stretchy and soft, so you’ll

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Ribbed 

If you’re looking for a more elevated fabric, I love the look of a ribbed cardigan. This knit pattern creates the illusion of indentations in the fabric giving off the “ribbed” effect.

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Cardigan outfit ideas to try 

1. Monochrome cardigan outfit

Try wearing all one color (in this case black) when you style your cardigan.

2. Printed statement cardigan outfit

Sometimes the cardigan can be the centerpiece of your entire look. I wore a white dress and tan boots to let the pattern of this cardigan really take priority.

3. Mixing fabrics outfit idea

I love pairing a cozy cardigan with dressier fabrics like leather or jacquard for a more interesting look overall.

 

 

4. Textured cardigan outfit

Sometimes you’ll want to wear a cardigan that has a unique fabric in order to turn up the volume on a simpler outfit.

 

 

5. Relaxed fit cardigan outfit

In 2022, we continued to embrace comfier clothes and I love the idea of pairing mom jeans with a slightly oversized cardigan. It’s all about how you wear it!

 

 

Cardigan styling tips

Long cardigans are great over leggings and skinny jeans—any kind of bottom that is more fitted to balance out the extra volume on the top.

Medium-length cardigans can be layered under bulkier pieces like a denim jacket or a shacket.

For more versatility in your closet, short, cropped cardigans can be worn alone as a top if they have a button or zip front closure. 

Shop all cardigans:

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I hope you loved this post and got lots of ideas for what type of cardigans to buy and wear this year.

yours,

Austen 

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Not sure if you have heard, but the cardigan sweater is making a comeback and I’m all in! I’m a classic, conservative dresser and the cardigan has always been something that fits in that bucket. But never before have I seen such a hoopla around it. Cardigans are HUGE right now and I’m loving it! The specific cardigan sweater I’m talking about is the Chanel or Celine inspired cardigan. Ones that are polished, have huge buttons and look more like a jacket. 

The “It” cardigan of 2023 is short, fitted and made of sturdy, yet flexible fabrics. They are ultra-feminine with gorgeous buttons and can be worn virtually anywhere. The versatility of these cardigans is a huge selling point. Wear it to the office with a trouser, on the weekends with jeans and sneakers, and out at night with skinny ankle pants. This cardigan sweater is truly a hybrid lifestyle piece.

The cardigan I am wearing is a beauty that I can easily wear now and into spring. I love the soft feminine color of it and the vintage vibe of the cardigan. The weight of the sweater makes it ideal to wear as a jacket as well.

Cardigans I’m Loving

Check out all the other cardigans that are having their moment in 2023

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If you like this cardigan then pair it with this saddle bag!

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