Joe's Picks

← Tops Worth Adding to the Rotation

Cardigans Worth Knowing About

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Joe's Top Picks

Cardigans With a Textured Edge That Works THE LUXURY CLOSET M Missoni Black Pointelle Knit Cardigan Jump to section ↓

$219.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

Check Cardigans Worth a Place in the Rotation VALICO GANNI Grey Checked Cashmere Blend Cardigan Jump to section ↓

$180.00 VALICO

Heavyweight Cardigans We'd Happily Recommend VOGHION GLOBAL Men's Clothing Menswear Trendy Brand Heavyweight Knitted Sweatshirt Cardigan Set With Embroidered Logo Casual Hoodie Set Jump to section ↓

$33.41 VOGHION GLOBAL

Lightweight Cardigans That Don't Try Too Hard THE LUXURY CLOSET M Missoni Black Pointelle Knit Button Front Cardigan Jump to section ↓

$163.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

Plain Cardigans We'd Happily Recommend VOGHION GLOBAL Men's Clothing Cardigan Hoodies Full Face Zipper Sweatshirt Plain Hoodies Jump to section ↓

$17.11 VOGHION GLOBAL

Stripe Cardigans That Actually Earn Their Keep SPLENDID Splendid - Beckham Stripe Open Cardigan - WhiteNavy Jump to section ↓

$188.00 SPLENDID

Cardigans With a Textured Edge That Works

Most cardigans play it safe and end up looking like they came with a golf membership. The ones that actually earn a place in a wardrobe have something going on texturally, a bouclé weave, a waffle stitch, a slubbed yarn that catches the light differently at different times of day. That surface interest is what elevates a cardigan from functional layering piece to something you actually think about when you're getting dressed. We've been looking specifically for cardigans where the texture feels considered rather than decorative, pieces that hold their structure through a full day and look better open over a shirt than they do folded on a shelf. Fit still matters. Too oversized and it reads sloppy. Too fitted and you lose the relaxed quality that makes a cardigan worth wearing. The ones here get that balance right, and they bring enough visual weight to work without needing much else around them.

THE LUXURY CLOSET M Missoni Black Pointelle Knit Cardigan $219.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

EILEEN FISHER Organic Cotton Terry Cardigan $99.00 EILEEN FISHER

EILEEN FISHER Organic Linen Crepe Duster Cardigan $143.40 EILEEN FISHER

RENT THE RUNWAY Peter Som x RTR Textured Knit Cardigan Cream $310.00 RENT THE RUNWAY

EILEEN FISHER Organic Cotton Boucle Long Cardigan $239.00 EILEEN FISHER

EILEEN FISHER Organic Linen Crepe Sparkle Long Cardigan $99.00 EILEEN FISHER

WILD OAK BOUTIQUE Jenica Textured Cardigan $62.00 WILD OAK BOUTIQUE

SHOPBOP Sablyn Bianco Cashmere Cropped V Neck Cardigan Azureous $357.00 SHOPBOP

GOBI CASHMERE Organic Color Textured One Button-Front Cashmere Cardigan - L Off-White WK-H- $183.60 GOBI CASHMERE

SHOPBOP th & Reckless Katya High Neck Cardigan Camel $43.00 SHOPBOP

SHOPBOP Sea Hester Solid Zip Cardigan Multi $297.00 SHOPBOP

DAILY SALE, INC. Solid Button Down Cable Knit Cardigan, Casual Long Sleeve Comfy Sweater - $35.00 DAILY SALE, INC.

Check Cardigans Worth a Place in the Rotation

The plain cardigan gets a lot of attention and we understand why, but there is a version of this conversation we think gets skipped too quickly. A check cardigan, done right, is not a novelty piece. It is not something you wear ironically to a Halloween party dressed as a professor. The right one adds visual interest without demanding that the rest of the outfit disappear around it, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. We have been looking specifically at checks that work at different scales, because a large windowpane and a small grid read very differently on the body and pair with different things. These are cardigans that sit well over a simple tee, layer under an overcoat without bulk, and bring enough personality to earn their place without overworking it. The construction matters too. Loose knits lose their shape fast. The ones here hold. A check cardigan is not a statement. It is just a smarter cardigan.

VALICO GANNI Grey Checked Cashmere Blend Cardigan $180.00 VALICO

COOFANDY Cardigan Cable Knitted Button Down Sweater $35.99 COOFANDY

VOGHION GLOBAL Men's Clothing Autumn And Winter New Niche High End Diamond Check Knitted Jacket Men's Lazy Style Cardigan Sweater $19.20 VOGHION GLOBAL

RENT THE RUNWAY Splendid Lisette Texture Cardigan White-black-print $168.00 RENT THE RUNWAY

RENT THE RUNWAY Sandro Eurayne Argyle Cardigan Multicolored-grey-print $380.00 RENT THE RUNWAY

SHOPBOP RAILS Aurora Cardigan Black White Gingham $228.00 SHOPBOP

VOGHION GLOBAL Men's Clothing Autumn and winter new niche high end diamond check style knitted jacket men's lazy style cardigan sweater $22.57 VOGHION GLOBAL

THE WEBSTER Pull On Cardigan Almond Check $276.00 THE WEBSTER

SHOPBOP English Factory Check Cardigan Green Multi $120.00 SHOPBOP

THE LUXURY CLOSET Self-Portrait Blue Tweed Boucle Embellished Check Cardigan $279.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

IFCHIC Burberry Kids Wool Check Cardigan - Month T $357.00 IFCHIC

SHOPBOP Vince Gingham Cardigan BlackOff White $348.00 SHOPBOP

Heavyweight Cardigans We'd Happily Recommend

The lightweight cardigan has its place, but this is not a collection for that. When the temperature actually drops and you want something that does real work, you need weight behind it. A heavyweight cardigan worn over a shirt with the collar sitting cleanly above the neckline is one of those combinations that requires almost no effort and lands every time. The problem is that most of what's out there in this category is either too shapeless, too scratchy, or built thin enough to defeat the purpose entirely. We've been looking specifically at pieces with substantial gauge, good structure through the shoulders, and yarns that feel considered rather than cheap. Wool and wool blend options that hold their form after washing. Shawl collars, button fronts, the occasional zip version done well. These are the cardigans that work as a proper layer rather than a stylistic afterthought. Cold weather dressing doesn't have to be complicated when the piece itself is doing the heavy lifting.

VOGHION GLOBAL Men's Clothing Menswear Trendy Brand Heavyweight Knitted Sweatshirt Cardigan Set With Embroidered Logo Casual Hoodie Set $33.41 VOGHION GLOBAL

W CONCEPT (US) Double Volume Heavyweight Wool Cardigan [Brown] $200.00 W CONCEPT (US)

HARVEY NICHOLS US Our Legacy Ribbed Merino Wool Zip-through Cardigan - Off White - IT S $448.23 HARVEY NICHOLS US

VOGHION GLOBAL Men's Clothing Menswear Trendy Brand Heavyweight Knitted Sweatshirt Cardigan Set, Hello Letter Casual Hooded Sweatshirt Set $33.41 VOGHION GLOBAL

W CONCEPT (US) Striped Round Neck Cotton-Acrylic Cardigan [Dark Navy] $120.00 W CONCEPT (US)

HARVEY NICHOLS US Free People Clear Skies Intarsia Cotton-blend Cardigan - Multicoloured - S - S $386.40 HARVEY NICHOLS US

W CONCEPT (US) SOFT CARDIGAN [WHITE] $156.00 W CONCEPT (US)

DRESTIGE US Halecrest Men's Cardigan Charcoal Heather Cardigan $169.10 DRESTIGE US

STUARTS LONDON (US &AMP; CANADA) FrizmWORKS Heavy Wool Round Cardigan - Black $231.00 STUARTS LONDON (US &AMP; CANADA)

W CONCEPT (US) Double Volume Wool Cardigan [Navy] $200.00 W CONCEPT (US)

SHOPBOP English Factory Knit Striped Sweater Cardigan ButterWhite $110.00 SHOPBOP

SHOPBOP English Factory Stripe Cardigan NavyOff White $98.00 SHOPBOP

Lightweight Cardigans That Don't Try Too Hard

The cardigan has an image problem that has nothing to do with the cardigan itself. Oversize it, make it too chunky, or push it too hard into either camp and it starts working against you. What most wardrobes actually need is a lightweight version that sits flat under a jacket, layers over a t-shirt without adding bulk, and reads as considered rather than casual. That specific item is harder to find than it should be. We've been looking at options in fine merino and cotton blends that hit the right weight for year-round use. Not so thin they lose their shape after three wears, not so heavy they limit when you can reach for them. Button count, collar roll, and fit through the shoulder are what separate the ones worth buying from the ones that look fine online and disappoint in person. These are cardigans that work without announcing themselves. That is exactly the point.

THE LUXURY CLOSET M Missoni Black Pointelle Knit Button Front Cardigan $163.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

GOBI CASHMERE Organic Color Ajour Knit Open-Front Cashmere Cardigan - M taupe WK- $259.00 GOBI CASHMERE

GOBI CASHMERE Hidden Button-Front Cashmere Silk Cardigan - Dark Indigo WK- $399.00 GOBI CASHMERE

GIFTOMORY Brotherhood Peaks Knitted Cardigan Gift $85.50 GIFTOMORY

UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM Zip Up Long Sleeve Cardigan $44.00 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM

ZEAGOO Long Sleeve Choker Top Lightweight Vee Cardigan Sweater - Blue M $21.89 ZEAGOO

ZEAGOO Open Front Knitted Long Cardigan Long Sleeve Casual Lightweight Knitted Cardigans Outerwear - Beige S $33.99 ZEAGOO

ARTLESS FOREVER Eloise Cardigan & Tank $88.00 ARTLESS FOREVER

ZEAGOO Relaxed Linen Blend Cardigan with Matching Cami Set $61.99 ZEAGOO

OLAOLA OLAOLA Men Raccoon Kimono Robe Bathrobe Summer Printed Beach Smock Lightweight Outwear Open Front Long Cardigan Cloak $26.99 OLAOLA

SHOEMALL.COM Masseys Bow Anywhere Cardigan Yellow Knit Tops X $25.00 SHOEMALL.COM

RAMY BROOK Cathy Pointelle Silk Cashmere Cardigan Sweater in Sandstone $276.00 RAMY BROOK

Plain Cardigans We'd Happily Recommend

The plain cardigan is one of those pieces that does most of its work quietly. No pattern to carry the look, no statement to make on your behalf. Just cut, yarn, and whether the proportions are right. That's a harder brief than it sounds, and most cardigans fail it somewhere. Too boxy and they swamp you. Too fitted and they pull across the shoulders. The buttons are cheap, the ribbing loses its shape after three washes, and suddenly you've got something you only wear around the house. We've been looking specifically at cardigans that hold up past that point. Pieces that sit well over a shirt, layer under a coat without bulk, and work in the kind of situations where you need to look like you made an effort without looking like you tried too hard. Merino and lambswool are doing most of the heavy lifting in here. The color options matter too. We've avoided anything that requires explaining.

VOGHION GLOBAL Men's Clothing Cardigan Hoodies Full Face Zipper Sweatshirt Plain Hoodies $17.11 VOGHION GLOBAL

MAJE US Rhinestone knit cardigan $375.00 MAJE US

SHIEKH Men Twin Dragon Cardigan BlackWhite Outerwear BlackWhite $49.99 SHIEKH

THE LUXURY CLOSET Dolce & Gabbana Printed Silk Knit Cardigan $461.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

SHIEKH Men Twin Dragon Cardigan BlackWhite Outerwear M BlackWhite $49.99 SHIEKH

CERQULAR BREIDHOF Mens Navy Plain Button Up Cardigan V-Neck Basic Knit M Classic Knitwear $19.49 CERQULAR

THE LUXURY CLOSET M Missoni Multicolor Striped Stretch Knit Cardigan $217.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

THE LUXURY CLOSET Boutique Moschino Black Wool Open Knit Floral Applique Cardigan $175.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

SHIEKH Men Twin Dragon Cardigan BlackWhite Outerwear S BlackWhite $49.99 SHIEKH

CERQULAR Tommy Hilfiger Cardigan - Medium Blue Cotton $46.89 CERQULAR

CERQULAR Gant Cardigan - Large Pink Cotton $12.05 CERQULAR

W CONCEPT (US) Paper Essential Cardigan [grey] $182.00 W CONCEPT (US)

Stripe Cardigans That Actually Earn Their Keep

Stripes on a cardigan are one of those details that can go either way very quickly. Done badly and you're wearing something that looks borrowed from a beach hut. Done well and it's one of the most characterful pieces in a fall or winter wardrobe, the kind of thing people ask about. We've been paying close attention to weight, stripe width, and how these sit over a shirt versus worn on their own, because a stripe cardigan that only works in one situation isn't earning its place. The ones worth buying tend to have a certain restraint about them. Not so loud they demand the whole outfit bend around them, but with enough presence to actually mean something. We've also been looking hard at how the ribbing holds up and whether the colors stay true after washing, because that's where cheaper versions fall apart fast. These are the stripe cardigans that reward wearing, not just buying.

SPLENDID Splendid - Beckham Stripe Open Cardigan - WhiteNavy $188.00 SPLENDID