Fall is all about sweater weather, and if you don’t have a good selection of cardigans in your closet, well, what are you waiting for? You don’t have to be a fashion editor to recognize their wardrobe power. The best cardigans for women—including our top picks from Reformation, Quince and Jenni Kayne—provide that much-needed layer of warmth on chilly days, and a bit of style and coziness to round out your fall outfits.
Whether you’re looking for a specific fit (cropped, v-neck), material (cashmere, cotton) or design (cable-knit, patterned), these are the best cardigans that we highly recommend reaching for this season.
Materials: 95% recycled cashmere, 5% cashmere | Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 12 total
Reformation’s cardigan is the most versatile option on this list. It’s made of cashmere, which adds a luxurious touch, has a classic fit and design (not too cropped, not too long) and comes in more than 10 colors. The only downside is that this cardigan is slightly pricey, depending on your budget (again, it’s made of cashmere), and the sizes only extend up to XL.
Best Affordable Cardigan
Responsibly Made, Reasonably Priced
Quince Lightweight Cotton Cashmere Cardigan
Materials: 65% organic cotton, 32% ecovero viscose, 3% cashmere | Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 5 total
Quince has mastered the art of sustainably-made, affordable basics, and their cashmere cardigan is an excellent example. It’s soft, well-fitting and costs less than $50, which is hard to find for quality knitwear. It’s not the thickest option on this list, however, so unless you live in a warm climate, it’s best for fall and spring weather.
Best Oversized Cardigan
Luxuriously Soft And Cozy
Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan
Material: 100% cashmere | Sizes: XXS to 3X | Colors: 9 total
If you’re going to splurge on a cardigan, make it this pick from Jenni Kayne. The California-based brand’s popular Cocoon Cardigan is among its bestsellers and made from 100% cashmere. It has a slouchy fit that’s great over jeans, leggings or even shorts (as seen here), which makes this cardigan wearable year-round.
Best Chunky Knit Cardigan
Stylish For Weekends And Work
Alex Mill Nico Cardigan In Cotton
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 5 total
It’s hard to resist chunky cardigans in fall. Alex Mill’s design is perfectly nostalgic of the kind your grandmother might have knit but with a slimmer fit that hits at the hip. It comes in five versatile colors, including this ivory pick that’s great as a winter white with work trousers or weekend jeans.
Best Cashmere Cardigan
Editor Favorite That’s Also Affordable
Naadam Fancy Cashmere Cardigan
Material: 100% cashmere | Sizes: XS to 3X | Colors: 3 total
Naadam’s cashmere sweaters were included in our tested review of the best cashmere sweaters. The cardigan is made with 100% cashmere sourced from Mongolia, which has an extremely soft hand feel, and is finished with a button-front and patch pockets for added visual interest. This pick is also well priced, at less than $200.
Best Cable Knit Cardigan
Coastal Chic Vibes
L.L.Bean Cotton Fisherman Short Cardigan
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: XS to 3X (standard, petite, plus) | Colors: 4 total
L.L.Bean is a classic for fisherman sweaters and their cardigan combines a soft cable knit with tortoise-shell-toned buttons. The brand updated the fit so it hugs closer to the body and hits at the waist, which has a modern feel. Pull this on for campfires, tailgating, apple picking, leaf peeping—i.e. all your quintessential fall moments.
Best Cropped Cardigan
Boxy, Ribbed Design
Everlane The Boxy Cardigan In Everyday Cotton
Material: 100% organic cotton | Sizes: XXS to XXL | Colors: 9 total
Great with high-waisted jeans, dresses and skirts, Everlane’s cropped cardigan keeps you warm without completely covering up your outfit. It comes in nearly 10 colors, although popular shades (like this dusty rose) sell out quickly.
Best V-Neck Cardigan
Slim Fit And Made For Layering
Banana Republic Forever V-Neck Cardigan
Materials: 60% cotton, 40% Birla Livaeco viscose | Sizes: XXS to XXL | Colors: 7 total
V-neck cardigans come in handy for layering over blouses, dresses and other slim-fitting pieces. Banana Republic makes a great one that’s not super expensive, comes in many colors and is cut from viscose, which is breathable and tends not to pill as easily as cotton or cashmere.