How to Choose the Perfect Cardigan for You

Your Guide to buying the best Cardigans

Overview

Cardigans are a versatile and stylish wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. From lightweight knits for summer to heavier wool styles for winter, there is a wide variety of cardigans to choose from. This buying guide will provide helpful information on everything you need to know when shopping for cardigans, including styles, fabrics, and fit. With this guide, you will be able to find the perfect cardigan for your wardrobe.

Key features

  1. Style: Consider the style that best suits your needs. Popular styles include V-neck, cable knit, full-zip, and button-up cardigans.
  2. Fabric: Check the cardigan’s fabric composition to determine if it is the right material for your needs. Common materials include wool, cotton, cashmere, and acrylic.
  3. Fit: Be sure to select a cardigan that offers a comfortable fit. Common fit options include classic, slim, and oversized.
  4. Color: Choose a color that compliments your wardrobe. Popular cardigan colors include neutrals like black, grey, and navy as well as brighter tones like pink, blue, and purple.
  5. Extras: Look for additional features like pockets, trims, or embellishments that can add a unique touch to your cardigan.

See the most popular Cardigans on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Style: Cardigans come in a variety of styles such as classic, oversized, and tailored, giving buyers a lot of choices to match their individual tastes and body types.
  • Multi-Purpose: Cardigans can be worn in both casual and dressy settings, making them an extremely versatile piece of clothing.
  • Warmth: Cardigans are light and comfortable, but can still provide warmth as the weather gets cooler.
  • Layers: Cardigans are great for layering with other clothing items such as long-sleeved shirts and blouses to create a unique look.
  • Easy Care: Cardigans are usually easy to care for and can often be machine washed.

Cons

  • Price: Cardigans can vary significantly in price, depending on the brand, material, and design. Some may cost as little as $20, while others can exceed $100.
  • Material: Not all materials are suitable for cardigans. Some materials, such as cotton and wool, are better suited for colder climates and may be uncomfortable in warm climates.
  • Maintenance: Cardigans made from delicate materials, such as silk, require more frequent washing. Some materials may require dry-cleaning.
  • Fit: Cardigans come in a variety of fits, such as regular, slim, and relaxed. Finding the right fit can be difficult, especially for those who are in between sizes.
  • Style: Cardigans come in a variety of colors and styles, which can make it difficult to choose the right one. Moreover, some styles may be more suited for certain occasions than others.

Best alternatives

  1. Sweaters - A knitted item of clothing, typically with long sleeves, made from thick wool or cotton.
  2. Blazers - A tailored jacket, typically in a solid color, with lapels and buttons.
  3. Jackets - An outer garment with sleeves, covering the upper part of the body.
  4. Hoodies - A lightweight jacket with a hood and often a front pocket.
  5. Vests - Waistcoat, a sleeveless upper-body garment.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Buttons - Buttons are an essential accessory for cardigans as they are usually the only closure for the sweater.
  • Thread - Thread is necessary for attaching buttons, or for any other repair or alteration that one may need to do to a cardigan.
  • Measuring Tape - Measuring tape is necessary for finding the right size of cardigan, as well as for any alteration or repair that one may need to do.
  • Needles - Needles are essential for sewing on buttons, or for any other repair or alteration that one may need to do to a cardigan.
  • Yarn - Yarn could be used for any repairs or alterations that one may need to do to a cardigan.
  • Scissors - Scissors are necessary for any snipping of threads or for any other repair or alteration that one may need to do to a cardigan.

Common questions

  1. What types of cardigans are available? Cardigans come in a variety of styles, including sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved, crew neck, v-neck, cardigan sweaters, pullover sweaters, and more.
  2. What fabrics are used to make cardigans? Cardigans can be made from a variety of fabrics, such as wool, cotton, cashmere, acrylic, polyester, and other fabrics.
  3. What factors should I consider when choosing a cardigan? When choosing a cardigan, consider factors such as body type, preferences for fit and fabric, color, and occasion.
  4. What colors are available? Cardigans come in a variety of colors, such as black, navy, gray, brown, white, pastel shades, and more.
  5. What sizes are available? Cardigans come in a range of sizes, from petite to plus. Sizing may vary depending on the brand.
  6. What occasions are cardigans appropriate for? Cardigans are appropriate for a variety of occasions, including casual wear, work wear, evening wear, and more.
  7. Are cardigans machine washable? Most cardigans are machine washable. However, it is best to check the care label to make sure the garment can be machine washed.

Trivia

A fun fact about Cardigans is that they are the only type of dog to win the coveted title of "Best in Show" at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Cardigans have a long history of winning the show going all the way back to the first dog show in 1877. The last Cardigan to win the honour was in 2019, taking home the highly coveted trophy. Additionally, Cardigans have consistently been among the top five breeds at the show for many years. It's no wonder why Cardigans are such a beloved breed. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.