The Best Cardigans, According to People Whose Taste We Trust

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.

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.

This classic number from J.Crew Factory is 100 percent cotton and a favorite of personal stylist and Kule content directorElizabeth Cardinal Tamkin. “You can pair it with the littleshellunderneath to make a cute little sweater set,” she points out.

The author of the newsletterThe 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.

Strategist contributor Nicolaia Rips was searching for an easier way to get dressed when she discovered this pointelle cardigan fromCou 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.

Free People’s slouchy Matilda cardigan has been on my list to try for a while now. Right out of the box, the thick material, which feels almost like cotton terry, was super soft and cozy, and I loved the contrast stitching. It’s pretty oversized and the drop shoulders contribute to the roomy fit, and it’s full-length (rather than cropped), so the bottom hem hits right at my hips. The pearl-like buttons and mid-length sleeves give it a summery feel, but I can also see myself wearing this into fall, as the fabric is heavier than some of my other cardigans.

Aritzia’sWilfred Golightly Cardiganwith long sleeves launched last year, and the company released a sleeveless version for this summer a couple months ago. It features the same ribbed detailing as the long-sleeve version through the waist, which I found cinches me in really nicely. I like that the mostly viscose material has some structure, but it’s still lightweight with plenty of stretch. After trying out a few sizes in store, I decided to go up a size to prevent the buttons from gaping too much in my chest area.

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 herred 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).

An even lighter-weight cardigan is this one from recently launched brand All Three. The line offers neutral and earthy-toned basics in natural fibers — slubby cottons, silks, poplin — and this collared cardigan, which Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid owns in the (currently sold-out) white, is made from a slightly sheer, very soft, tissue-weight cotton. She thinks of it as a “going-out” cardigan that looks subtly sexy when layered with awhite Hello Beautiful braunderneath, and she loves the closely spaced fabric-covered buttons down the front.

Reid bought the Elle Sweater a few weeks ago and says it’s perfect for layering over summer dresses. Thanks to the lightweight cotton-linen blend, it’s ideal for in-between weather and can be worn fully buttoned up as a top, too. The knit has a nice, high-end, all-natural feel like most of Alex Mill’s textiles, Reid says, and she loves “the grayish pearlescent buttons, which keep it from looking dowdy.”

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 companyBlack 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.

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.

“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 consultantAemilia 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.

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.

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.

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.”

[Editor’s note: While Reid’s original style is no longer available, C by Bloomingdale’s offers avery similar crewneck style.]

For a thicker knit, I’m a fan of this collared Buck Mason. The product description says it’s been washed to achieve a lived-in feel, which I’d agree with. It feels like a homey sweater I’ve pulled out of my grandma’s closet, and I mean that in the best way possible. The collar gives it a dressier look, so I’ve paired it with trousers when I’m heading out for dinner with friends, but I’ve also slipped it on over my pajamas before letting my dog out on chilly early mornings. The soft cotton is just so comfortable. The silhouette is on the shorter side through the body; the hem ends right around my hips, but I found the sleeves to be the perfect length, and I took my usual size, S.

The ever-popular snap-button cardigans from Agnès B. are favored by former and current Strategist writers alike. The brand’s Le Classique appears in ourguide to the best sweaters for women, as the straight-and-square cut is highly versatile and a great option for just about everyone.New York’s features editor Katy Schneider describes the fabric as heavy and structured, andShop Ratnewsletter writer and former Cutstaffer Emilia Petrarca oncecalledthe cardigan the “Chanel tweed jacket of New York.”

Another one that Reid bought for layering over summer dresses and pairing with skirts and summer pants. She found hers on Poshmark (where there are plenty ofSnap Cardigans of all kinds), and loves that the short-sleeves make it like a “slightly punchier version” of the classic Agnes B. long-sleeve one above. Reid’s cardigan is 100 percent cotton, so she says it feels lightweight while still having some structure thanks to the buttons down the front.

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 it in a purple colorway.

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.