Cardigan Sweaters

The classic cardigan is the ultimate in versatility. It can be dressed up, dressed down, layered and is always grab-and-go ready. It’s the blazer’s number one understudy, pairing seamlessly with suiting to soften the stiff, structured lines. But there’s something psychologically powerful about them that makes them a wardrobe must-have. Cardigans imbue cozy, safe feelings that are comforting to the mind, body and soul — something Taylor Swift knows at thing or two about given her hit single Cardigan.

The genesis of the cardigan sweater dates back to the British army in the 17th century, making it a trend rooted in menswear. It was later popularized by Coco Chanel as part of her mission to free women from restricting, structured garments. It’s no surprise cardigans are back in the spotlight given the current oversized menswear-inspired fashion craze. Combining form and function, it’s a fresh new twist on the blazer and great reason to keep the menswear trend going. However if you want your cardigan to last, there are a few boxes to check when shopping for it:

1. Quality
   When it comes to knitwear, quality matters. Shop tightly-knit, high-end fibers to avoid future pilling. Pilling is caused by short fibers that loosen, break and tangle over time. Higher quality fibers have longer strands that, when knit tightly together, mitigate wear and tear. For chunkier knits, go with blended fibers to help prevent pilling. Plus, in case your body temperature runs hot, a mix of natural and synthetic fibers will keep you from overheating.

2. Color
   Shop your best colors to maximize a cardigan’s versatility. Go for your most reliable neutral, picking a cardigan that matches to pants for a head-to-toe monochrome color column that elongates. Or, go for your strongest accent hue for a less serious look and fun pop of color. For the fashion-forward, consider Pantone’s Color of the Year to be über on-trend, which for 2024 is Peach Fuzz.

3. Scale
   Always consider scale to ensure you wear the cardigan and the cardigan doesn’t wear you. Design details like ribs, cables, stripes, pom poms and buttons should match your physical scale so they don’t overpower, or disappear. If you’re petite, go for tightly-knit sweaters with diminutive details. If you’re large framed, go for chunkier knits, statement buttons, volume silhouettes, textured patterns and on-trend design details.

4. Proportion
   Cardigans can be bulky so it’s important to know your best proportions and stick with them. Dressing in thirds is most flattering to the eye, so pick a cardigan that either ends at the waist (one-third) or below hips (two-thirds) to look your best. Belted cardigans are a great look, so cinch with your favorite statement belt to minimize bulk.

5. Fit
   Knitwear grows over time so consider this when deciding on size, design and shape. For example, drop-shoulders will continue dropping and over-sized silhouettes risk becoming jumbo-sized. Choose wisely!

See PEOPLE.com press feature here.