Even though the warm weather still persists in L.A., all of us at EHD are more than ready for the cozy fall/winter season. I for one, wake up almost everyday praying for anything besides 90 degree weather — especially ever since I’ve fostered a deep emotional love for cardigans.
I used to be more of a sweater gal until I realized the myriad of styling options that cardigans offer. For one, with cardigans you can stay warm while also showing off your top underneath, which is not an option with a pullover sweater. Pairing a chunky or long cardigan with graphic tee, ruffle top, or turtleneck adds so much more dynamic to an outfit. Secondly, cardigans come in SO many different styles. They can be sculptural, chunky, balloon sleeved, ruffly, long, cropped, etc etc. The list goes on and on. I am passionate about cardigans this fall and am excited to add more to my wardrobe, so in classic EHD fashion I asked the rest of the team to share their favorites. All I will say is get your wallet ready because the EHD cardigan game is STRONG.
Emily’s Favorite:
Urban Renewal Sweater, $49: This is my first grandpa sweater which feels ironic as it was so popular when I was in junior high.. I LOVE putting it on every morning/night almost like its a robe, but more pulled together than that (and looks cute enough on zoom calls). The bottom is snug enough (in a good way) to billow out in a strangely flattering way. Long Live the 90’s.
Jess’s Favorites:
Ruffle Cardigan Sweater, $98 – What an unexpected win! I only tried this one on because my cousin told me to and I ended up loving the ruffle (the color was always heck yes). It’s really nice how the ruffle draws your eye up and gives the optical illusion that your waist is more narrow. Plus it feels “fancy” without having to try to actually look fancy and put together. Last thing I’ll say is the weight of it is great and feels really high quality. All in all, a really great cardigan that is ALSO on sale right now! Got a medium in this one.
Espresso Cardi, $168 – Man do I LOVE this one. Long, chunky knit cardigans are my jam! This guy feels like a fall hug but still cool enough (did you see the buttons?) to throw on for a trip to the store or a social distance friend date. Once this puppy is on, it’s hard to convince myself to take it off (which is good since this one also isn’t cheap). O and I got a size medium.
Eclair Cardi, $128 – This is probably my dream “classic cardigan”. It’s soft, has the perfect not “too oversized” look so it looks cute but comfortable, and I love the light cream color (good for all seasons). I actually got a size small in this one when I normally go medium to large in tops. So it for sure runs BIG. I know it’s pricey but short cardigans that I like are SO hard for me to find that this felt like a huge win that I was willing to splurge on.
Albie’s Favorite:
Loose Knit Cardigan, $13: I love to layer and this is the ultimate all season layering cardigan. I’ve thrown it over a tank top to look more put together or paired it with a button down for a casual yet professional look. It’s light weight and breezy but has also survived a lot of washes.
Caitlin’s Favorites:
Cheri Longline Cardigan, $148: Guys, eschew your lightweight fall jackets for one of these!!! I decided to try this out because I liked the idea of looking like I was ready for business while wearing a comfortable glorified robe, and I LOVE IT. This cardigan is the perfect weight for autumn — it has a tight enough weave that it’ll actually keep you warm at night (I was good when temperatures dipped into the mid-50s) but it’s also breathable enough and without a weird lining so that you won’t feel gross or sticky while doing cute, more physical things like picking apples or pumpkins. It also comes in a super cute orange color AND it’s 25% off this weekend! 10/10, timeless design, will wear for all future autumns, WORTH IT. (PS. I got a Large and like how much room there is because I’ll be able to layer it over a thicker sweater later this winter, but you can go one size down if you want.)
Virginia Sweater Cardigan, $138: First, I’m obsessed with ABLE in general. (If you’re not familiar, think of them as Madewell except sustainable and ethical. The design and prices are similar but ABLE’s quality is WAY better, IMO). Anyway – I have 36F boobs and cardigans are normally a no-go for me, so I love the way that this one drapes. It definitely has “smart grandpa settling in to do some reading in his easy chair” vibes, which I *love* for fall. It also looks super cute buttoned over a t-shirt dress (obviously not pictured here, but the site model does it) and comes in a few other color variants! VERY COZY, very Thanksgiving appropriate, wholeheartedly recommend.
Mallory’s Favorites:
Bobble Cardigan Sweater, $98: Have you heard I’m only exclusively wearing balloon sleeves for the rest of my life? At least for cardigans, anyway. I’ve had my eyes on this Madewell cardigan for QUITE some time and when the EHD ladies said we’re doing this cardigan post, I dropped everything and sprinted to Nordstrom to retrieve it because we LOVE an excuse to buy something we’ve been eyeing for “blog purposes.” I can say I am VERY happy with the outcome, it really does live up to the hype because it has POCKETS and those cute little dingleballs on the sleeve for a fun added detail. The only thing that would’ve made this better would’ve been a better hair day for me personally, but you can’t always get what you want. You can, however get this sweater, and if it wasn’t clear before, I definitely approve. OH AND IT COMES IN RED WHICH IS ALSO CUTE.
Cropped Balloon Sleeve Cardigan, $45: We used to do lil clothing swaps in the office (pre-pandemic, of course) where some of us (usually Veronica or Sara) would bring in big bags of goodies for the taking. This was one of my scores from Veronica (miss you vbaby!!) and OH MY GOD I LOVE IT. I’ve been living in this cardigan everyday, even when it’s 100 degrees out. It’s comfy and cozy and a lil cropped (but not too cropped) and it just drapes perfectly. I wear it over my outfits but I’ve also just worn it as a shirt before and if you’re part of the ITBC, then it’s the perfect no-bra or bralette-only kind of thing.
Ryann’s Favorites:
Oatmeal Cardigan, $35: I am so impressed with the shape, color, detail, and price of this cardigan. It’s REALLY good you guys and it feels and looks way more expensive than it is. It’s also that classic oatmeal color that I love and it looks good dressed down with jeans or dressed up with a dress and heels.
Ribbed Cardigan, $59: The color of this one is so good. It has a very subtle red/dark purple multicolored weave and I like that it sits right at my waist (I am wearing a Medium- but the Small oddly fits just fine too). It also has a balloon sleeve which is KEY especially for a cropped sweater. Though I have no clue what Thanksgiving looks like this year, I know I will be wearing this cardigan.
Alright, that’s all from team EHD, but I am curious to know if you are team cardigan or team pullover sweater?? Let me know in the comments and have great weekend. xx
Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: Six Fall Sweaters I’m Loving (+ How To Wear Them)
Love cardigans!! All shapes n colours!
In Australia we shorten everything…e.g. tradesperson = TRADIES.
So cardigan = CARDI.
Can I just smugly note that I’ve ALWAYS been Team Cardigan. 😉 One of my favorites is by Everlane, the “Texture Cotton Cardigan.” Sometimes wool/alpaca sweaters are too itchy for me but this cotton cardigan is perfect. Thick, well made, and cozy.
Where can we get the sweater in the opening picture (on Emily)? You all look beautiful in your sweaters, but that one is stellar.
This! I was waiting for that one when reading the post and was quite bummed it wasn’t there. It’s so cute, especially with the dress.
Yes!! I would love to find out what sweater Emily is wearing in the opening picture too!
It’s the Madewell Maguire Cardigan (https://www.madewell.com/maguire-cardigan-sweater-AC801.html) but it’s sold out on Madewell/Nordstrom. They linked to it in the opener image credit line at the bottom. Maybe still available on Poshmark?
Too cute! It’s too bad I am terrible at shopping online and cardigans are very hit or miss for me. Y’all should start a service where we can receive a box with each of the things you share and then we return the ones we don’t want 🙂
Hahaha…like Oprah’s favourite things?!
So Mallory if you HAD to buy the bobble cardigan for “blog content”, does that make it tax deductible? It’s for work after all. Maybe the team could research handbags next … or winter coats.
I have SOOO MANY cardigans. I live in Texas and wear them year round – thin ones over sun dresses, thicker ones instead of a coat most of the year. I think my fave has to be a long camel colored ones with pockets.
Well, consider me influenced! I just ordered Caitlin’s longline cardigan. I love the tailored look of a camel wool coat, but those never fit my shoulders right and I’m allergic to wool. Fingers crossed, I am excited about this sweater!
Albie, I love you. Your cardigan pick is $13, the only one I can afford, and also awesome. “Thick” and “chunky” and short are not what I need in a clothing item, as I am all of those adjectives. A lightweight, longer cardigan that survives multiple washes: perfection.
Also why it’s one of my favs! Lol. So glad you could relate 🙂
I love cardigans! I have sooo many.
Mallory- What size are you wearing in the Madewell Bobble Cardigan? I’m thinking of getting it in red!
Team Pullover. I feel like cardigans died about 8 years ago. Prefer a blazer to a cardigan 🤷🏻♀️
I used to only wear pullovers but then I went to work in a building where even in the summer I needed a sweater because the men decided they were in charge of the thermostat and froze all of the women:)
I have purchased cardigans from Lands
End over the years and they all are still in rotation. The key is just to keep an eye
on the ones you like and early in the season they go on sale for 40% off and then closer to Christmas there will be days when you can get 50% off although you may not get your first choice in color that late.
I have sweaters from there that are ten years older or more and they still look new.
I also want to say that over thirty years ago I had what was called a sweater coat which is a long heavy cardigan and loved it and wore
it every winter for about five years. Then I moved to south Florida and no longer needed it. Now I am back in the mid Atlantic area and wished I had it.
My favorite is the super long chunky one, though I will probably have to look for a pricing alternative. Love it though!! I’ve always thought sweater/cardigan names were more about the weight than whether it was pulled over the head or buttoned. If it’s thicker, I think of it as a sweater, and if it’s lightweight, I think of it as a cardigan….except not if it goes over your head 😂 I guess it makes sense in my brain. I just bought a polka dot cardigan from Thred Up, and layering other patterns with it is making me SO happy right now.
Um, where is that adorable bag from in the opening picture that Emily is wearing???
Too cute!!
It’s Clare V!! I believe that particular one is sold out but here is a similar version! https://rstyle.me/+UJncY2mmYw_a841z9avVdA
Link doesn’t work!