10 Wear-Anywhere Cardigans Perfect For Winter
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For us, we think the key to nailing fall fashion is all in the layering. Sure, it's important to have a few staple sweaters and coats incorporated into your closet, but the real trick is figuring out how to style all of those pieces together. Enter the cardigan — aka one of fashion's most timeless and trusted wardrobe essentials that you could argue is a basic worth having on hand in any season (though it's especially great for fall and winter).
Cardigans have long had a reputation for being more of an understated, even boring, layer, but our latest online shopping spree proves that they're actually anything but. We've fallen back in love with the classic cardigan style, not only because of all the modern silhouettes you can shop, but also because there are so many creative ways to wear them. So long as you've got a white tank top, a great pair of jeans, and a cute cardigan, you have an outfit that can take you pretty much anywhere you need to go.
Our shopping experts narrowed down our picks for the best cardigans for women that we think are worth adding to your fall wardrobe ASAP. Whether you want an editor-loved cashmere piece, something vibrant and colorful, or a cropped cardigan that's cut in all the right ways, the options are endless. Keep reading to shop our selects!
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Best Everyday Cardigan
Amazon Essentials Lightweight Vee Cardigan Sweater ($22)
Make a bold statement in any room with the help of this lightweight cardigan from Amazon. The open-front piece is hailed for being one of Amazon's bestselling cardigans — and there are more than 12,000 near-perfect reviews to support its popularity. If the cherry red isn't your shade of choice, the style is also available to shop in 23 other colors, including camel, burgundy, and navy, among others.
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Best Oversize Cardigan
Dokotoo Open-Front Knit Cardigan ($25-$32)
Frankly, it feels nearly impossible to claim one single cardigan as being "the best," but this oversize cardigan comes pretty close. We love the style's relaxed design, which makes it ideal for layering with basic tanks and T-shirts. Plus, it's available to shop in other fall-friendly colors like light heather gray.
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Best Bolero Cardigan
Commense Solid Open-Front Shrug Sweater ($42)
Whether you live somewhere with a warmer climate or simply want a more lightweight cardigan that you can wear year-round, this bolero sweater is sure to prove to be a worthwhile investment. We adore the style's fresh green coloring, especially when paired with a dark-wash jean or trouser pant.
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Best Printed Cardigan
Cider V-Neck Floral Cardigan ($43)
Elevate any outfit with a more playful flair, courtesy of this floral cardigan from Cider. The patterned piece is such a standout layering essential (looks great alone, as well), allowing users to easily dress the accent piece up or down, depending on the occasion or desired aesthetic.
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Best Preppy Cardigan
Zara Cable Knit Cardigan ($50)
With colder weather nearing, now's the perfect time to freshen up our wardrobes with a few more staple, seasonal styles — ideally wrapped in a plush cable knit design, of course. Preppy enough for both work and play, this colorblock cardigan is currently at the top of our shopping wishlist.
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Best Button-Down Cardigan
Free People It's On Thermal Rib Button-Up Shirt ($51, originally $68)
If you're looking for a practical, button-down design with a modern take, consider your quest solved. To style, leave the cardigan open for a more relaxed look, or simply button it up half way (we recommend pairing with high-waisted jeans) to show peeks of skin.
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Best Cashmere Cardigan
Naadam Featherweight Cashmere Cropped Cardigan ($138)
Cashmere and luxury are practically synonymous with one another. Perhaps that's why we love the look and feel of this plush style from Nadaam so much. The lightweight layer is crafted from a 100 percent, responsibly sourced mongollian cashmere material, so you can feel good about what you're wearing. It's also available to shop in a variety of colors like beige, black, and gray.
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Best Long Cardigan
Mango Oversize Long Cardigan ($140)
Don't mind us, we're just dreaming about snuggling up in this long cardigan from now and through eternity; can you blame us? This style is soft to the touch, yet still thick enough to keep you feeling warm all winter long.
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Best Red Cardigan
Reformation Clara Cashmere & Wool Crew Cardigan ($198-$248)
This standout red cardigan allows you to still feel super cozy without compromising on fashion. Hint for WFH-lovers: Keep it thrown over your office chair so that you can easily slip into the work style for video calling.
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Best Travel Cardigan
Leset Zoe Knitted Cardigan ($300, originally $750)
Comfort is key when it comes to travel, and few fashion pieces feel more comfortable than this knitted cardigan from Leset. The chunky style is a bit thicker than the classic cardigan, but it's sure to keep you feeling cozy whether you're embarking on a long flight, train ride, or even road trip.
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- Additional reporting by India Yaffe and Natasha Marsh
Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.
India Yaffe India Yaffe was an associate editor on the Shopping team at PS for five years. She focused on curating the best fitness, fashion, beauty, and home products on the market for the PS audience.
Natasha Marsh is a freelance writer who writes about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Prior to freelancing, she held styling staff positions at The Wall Street Journal, Burberry, Cosmopolitan, British GQ, and Harper's Bazaar.