18 cardigans you can style all season long; ready to go with you anywhere and everywhere.
Cardigan season
When it comes to your fall and winter wardrobe, cardigans are among the most important essential any chic woman can own.
Not only is the layering potential endless, but you can also fashion the button-front knit as a shirt and wear it solo—it’s our very favorite way to style the cold-weather top especially when we are traveling.
how to shop
Pro Tip 😎
When shopping for a cardigan, it’s important to consider four essential details: color, material, neckline, and length.
The first pillar is quite simple. You know whether you’re seeking a bold and colorful or whimsically patterned knit that will have heads turning with little else besides a pair of jeans or black midi dress.
Then for the material. While cashmere is more luxe than other materials and offers warmth without the bulk, you might prefer a loftier knit that comes by way of a heavy cotton or high gauge wool.
how to wear
If you’re planning to wear your cardigan layered over a camisole or dress, the neckline is less important, though individuals who choose to button up the front of the knitwear and wear it solo might have a preference as to how much skin they’re willing to show.
cardigan length
The final ingredient? Length.
Consider a long cardigan that you might want to style into a chunky, ‘90s-inspired, grungy slip dress look, on the other hand a cropped cardigan looks effortless while a top, half-tucked into a pair of jeans or tailored trousers.
No matter what your cardigan preference, we’ve got a button-front top for you. For all styles, occasions, and at a variety of price points, shop our favorite cardigans of the moment right here.
OUR TOP PICKS
Want to get the classic look?
Few make a classic cable knit cardigan quite like Ralph Lauren, and they’ve taken their chunkier texture to the next level this season with an oversized V-neck swing style that boasts tortoise buttons and two front patch pockets.
If you love a chunky fisherman knit, this is the cardigan style for you.
It’s cropped for true ‘90s appeal, with a deep V neck and tortoise buttons. It’s a great top when buttoned up and worn all on its own.
We love the fun pop colors! Be bold with a colorful splurge by way of this head-turning tie-dye cashmere cardigan from The Elder Statesman.
Are you looking for a cute cropped cardigan? Look to one of Amazon’s in-house brands for a chunky marled knit that will make you feel cozier than ever on your more low-key days.
There’s nothing quite like a classic, especially in a seasonless lightweight merino wool. In a range of colorful hues, this wool cardigan is the perfect addition to your wardrobe for morning, noon, and night.
And more? It is also great for traveling to warmer destinations. Pair it with your favorite Bermuda shorts for a breezy night out at the resort.
Our editors’ favorite!
This cropped cardigan is a variation on one of La Ligne’s first best-selling sweaters and comes in a colorful array of stripes that add a great amount of whimsy to your every look.
A black cardigan is a must but we also need some fall colors in our wardrobe.
For an easy pop of color for all your denim looks, shop this cropped cardigan with mid-weight knit in a seasonless tone of pumpkin orange.
This cardigan can be your wardrobe staple! Keep it classic with a black V-neck cardigan, but shop one like this that boasts a whimsical scalloped trim.
If you want the best black tank tops to wear underneath, you can find them here!
Who doesn’t like an oversized cardigan?
Your grandfather’s knitwear style has never looked better than it does with this ribbed knit V-neck that you can style with the coordinated pants and denim alike.
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This colorful cardigan is pulled straight from your early-aughts closet and a great styling option for your other throwback essentials, like a silk slip dress, low-rise jeans, and tennis skirts.
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Attention to the details! With a mixed-media style that Sacai is so well known for, this cardigan is all you need for the perfect eye-catching look that feels elevated and casual all at the same time.
We love the soft touch. This might very well be the softest cashmere cardigan you will ever own.
It’s a bit loftier for added warmth and looks equally killer when styled buttoned-up like a shirt or layered over a white tank top and hung open.
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Go rainbow with a colorful striped cardigan that makes for a statement look, even if you’re only pairing it with jeans and a T-shirt.
This wool cardigan has a ton of loft, crafted of a ribbed texture with a shrunken, let chunkier body to it that makes it a great layering option for the colder weather.
Long cardigan
We recommend a long cardigan if you don’t know where to start. This length should reach your hips and thighs, providing extra warmth when the weather gets cold. That makes long cardigans the perfect cozy loungewear piece.
Pro Tip 😎
At the same time, long cardigans can be very elegant. A chic long cardigan instantly elevates your outfit, making it great for the office or even a formal occasion.
But cardigans are super versatile and are appropriate for casual or even sporty events too.
Possibly the most flattering type of sweater is a belted long cardigan because the belted waist will emphasize the smallest part of your figure.
There’s always room for a classic in your closet. This long cardigan features two patterns that never go out of style: checks and stripes.
This long cardigan features a trendy high low length that will bring in loads of compliments. Go for an ultra preppy look by wearing it with a pleated skirt this fall.
If you’re looking for a luxurious cardigan, this is your pick. The fiber blend features warm merino wool and mohair. Coordinate the neutral heather oatmeal color with a chic white bodysuit.
Pro Tip
😎Instead of layering a cardigan like you always have, consider buttoning up the front and treating the knit top as a shirt, with little underneath it to speak of.
Whether you’re opting for ‘90s grunge, ladylike ‘50s styling, cropped ‘00s silhouettes, or something else entirely, make sure you start to build your cardigan collection now.
You won’t regret it.
what is a cardigan?
Simply put, a cardigan is a sweater that opens at the front. This sets it apart from a pullover sweater that you put on over your head. A cardigan can fasten in the front with buttons or a full-length zipper or might have none at all.
Cardigans are a classic layering staple, especially for transitional weather when it’s still too warm for a coat.
They can be cropped like a bolero or shrug, waist-length or extra long to provide additional back coverage. Wear them tight and form-fitting, or dive into a cozy oversized boyfriend cardigan.
how do you style a cardigan?
The beauty of styling a cardigan is that it’s totally transformable, for morning, noon, and night.
Be it an extra layer you’re looking for when the temperature begins to dip, some added texture even in warmer months, or a way to play with proportions—a button-front sweater is the way to go. Underneath, pretty much anything goes.
Pro Tip 😎
Our new favorite way to style a cardigan, however, is to button it up and wear it like a shirt.
Lean into the ‘90s styling by pairing it with pleated skirts, tennis skirts, skorts, and the like when it comes to your buttoned-up options.
what to wear under a cardigan?
When going out for a night on the town, top a little black dress with a cashmere or silk cardigan to make all of your spaghetti straps seasonally appropriate, or keep it totally classic with a black tank top and jeans for daytime errand runs.
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All products featured on Viva Cabana are independently selected by our editorial team, and the company may earn commission through affiliate links.