Ask Belle: Cardigan Suggestions
Mar 10, 2015
Hi Belle,
I have tattoos on my arms and I work in a corporate office. I have difficulty choosing most of your lovely dresses because I need to always wear a sweater or blazer over them.
Do you have any great choices for work-appropriate button-down sweaters, please? Siobhan
For many working women, cardigans are a workplace staple. They complete at an outfit and keep you warm in a chilly office. Here are a few of my favorites:
Jackie Cardigan ($65, also in petites)
A classic, this Jackie cardi comes in a variety of colors. Need a long sleeve instead of 3/4? Their Tippi sweater has you covered. Looking to spend less? J.Crew Factory also offers their versatile (and substantially similar) Clare cardigan.
Several readers raved about this cardigan in past comments sections. It doesn’t come in the wide variety of colors you find at other retailers, but it comes in a few staple neutrals.
Ann Taylor V-neck Cardigan ($79)
The AT cardigan is another reader favorite. If you don’t like the look of the v-neck, they also make a crewneck in long sleeve and short sleeve.
Halogen 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan ($46, also in petites)
Halogen offers a good selection of cardigans in neutrals, colors, or prints. I have two, and they’ve help up pretty well.
Land’s End Classic Cashmere Cardigan ($90)
Plus-size? Land’s End is a great place to go looking for sweaters. I also like the look of this Charter Club sweater.
I’ll plug the Target Merona cardigans. I have approximately 15 of them and like them better than any I’ve tried at a higher price point. They also go in the washing machine (and dryer if I am being lazy), come in 3/4 and full-length sleeves, crew and v-neck, a variety of colors and patterns, and are easy to find.
I am a fan of J.Crew’s Classic Merino Wool Cardigan. Its longer length covers the hips, and I find this more slimming. It comes in many of the same colors as J.Crew’s other merino wool sweaters like their Turtleneck and Tippi, so you can make a twinset or wear the cardi with other garments. It comes in basic neutrals (black, gray, brown), jewel tones, and pastels. J.Crew tends to release similar versions of colors each year, so if you missed a royal blue cardi last year, chances are you can find it again this year, just renamed and in a slight variation on the shade. They are $89.50, but have seemed to go on promotion for 25% off pretty frequently over the past couple months.
J.Crew Factory’s cotton cardigans are fantastic for those in warm climates, and for those who don’t like polyester blends. Most of J.Crew’s cardigans have poly blended in the wool, and the factory version is pure cotton. It also comes in many colors!
Uniqlo also has great and affordable merino cardigans. Mine are pretty long, and have nice long sleeves. Sometimes I don’t always want a shrunken hip-length fit! My white one is a little sheer, but the darker colors are perfect.
I second merona