There is a garment that every September returns to occupy a privileged place in the wardrobe: the cardigan. When it is still too warm to pull out jackets and coats, but mornings and nights begin to cool, a lightweight knit model becomes the simplest solution to dress well without overthinking it.
And that is precisely one of its great advantages. All you need is to wear it over a white T-shirt, pair it with jeans, and add some ballet flats to achieve one of those transitional-season uniforms that practically always work. Although it can also be worn fully buttoned, as if it were a sweater, with dress pants, mid-length skirts, or even over a dress.
Moreover, this season cardigans move slightly away from their most classic version. They continue to feature basic designs in gray, camel, navy blue or black, but there are also models with stripes, polo-style collars, special buttons and slightly looser silhouettes that allow for layering play.
The classic cardigan that goes with everything
The fine-knit model, crew neck, and small buttons remains one of the easiest to incorporate into the wardrobe. Especially in neutral tones like beige, gray, or navy, which allow for virtually any pairing.
You can wear it open over a basic T-shirt during the early days of autumn and, when the temperatures drop a bit more, use it as a jersey underneath a trench coat or a coat.
Red cardigan by Sézane.
Red cardigan in Sézane color
This Sézane cardigan has a very clean silhouette, crew neck, and contrasting buttons. It’s perfect to wear open over a white T-shirt, as in the image, and to pair with raw-bleached pants, jeans, or even a midi skirt. The terracotta/red shade fits especially well with the autumn palette.
Double-knit cardigan by Stella Rittwagen.
Double-knit cardigan by Stella Rittwagen
Bigger in fit and with a V-neck, it is probably the most comfortable piece of the selection for layering. Over a T-shirt, a blouse, or even another light cardigan, it works as that mid-layer you wear when it isn’t cold enough yet to reach for a coat.
Camel cardigan in Sfera color.
Camel cardigan in Sfera color
If we’re talking about a timeless wardrobe staple, this would be one of the most enduring. Fine-knit, simple silhouette and small buttons; it can be worn closed as a sweater or open over a T-shirt. With white pants, as in the image, it also extends that kind of light combinations that work especially well at the start of autumn.
Striped cardigan by Tommy Hilfiger.
Striped cardigan by Tommy Hilfiger
Red and navy stripes give this model more presence without making it hard to wear. The gold buttons finish giving it that slightly sophisticated air that works with both jeans and dress pants. It’s one of those pieces that can replace a lightweight jacket during the first weeks of autumn.
Cardigan in gray with ruffles by Southern Cotton.
Cardigan in gray with ruffles by Southern Cotton
This is a romantic, highly versatile cardigan. It features a collar and cuffs finished with small ruffles, giving it a more feminine air, while the gray makes it easy to pair with almost anything. I especially like the idea of wearing it with jeans in the same shade to create an almost monochrome look.
