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- Cardigans are the perfect piece of clothing to throw on when you catch a chill or just want an extra layer of warmth.
- LOFT has a great selection of cardigans that are relatively affordable and made from great materials.
- That's why it's our favorite place to shop for cardigans.
When in doubt, don a cardigan. That seems to be the unofficial rule for turning any casual outfit into its business casual equivalent. A classic cardigan has saved me many a time from being woefully underdressed - really, it is a wonder that I don't carry one with me everywhere I go. Keys, check; cellphone, check; cardigan, double check.
Capable of bridging the gap between work and weekend clothes, the perfect cardigan is a closet staple worth stockpiling. After all, in addition to keeping you sharply dressed, it also helps keep you warm in frigid office environments. When it comes to picking out your perfect cardigan, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you'll want to consider the fit. While some cardigans make slouchy look elegant, others are slightly more buttoned up, and could almost pass for a less structured blazer. You should also think about whether or not you want your cardigan to be of the buttoned variety - I've found that some of my favorite cardigans look perfectly sleek even kept open. Depending on the formality of your environment, you may want to adjust your standards for the ideal cardigan.
Also important to keep in mind is the material of your cardigan. Wool probably won't work as well in warmer environments, while a thin cotton won't do much to keep you cozy in the winter. While some cardigans are made with heavier materials, others look as wispy and delicate as a spring day.
Of course, you'll also want to think about your preferred color scheme. Whether you prefer to maintain an all-black wardrobe or add some accent pieces, a cardigan can match your aesthetic, whatever it may be.
Finally, you'll want to keep price points in mind. Cardigans are not, in fact, blazers, and as such probably shouldn't cost you quite as much. In fact, you can get a perfectly decent piece for under $20, especially when shopping at some of our favorite places.
No matter which of our favorite stores you choose to buy your next cardigan, we're sure you won't be disappointed.
Here are the best cardigans you can buy:
- Best cardigans overall: LOFT
- Best minimalist cardigans: Everlane
- Best inexpensive cardigans: Forever 21
- Best ridiculously comfortable cardigans: Pact
- Best long cardigans: Topshop
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.