We have all been obsessing over J.Crew’s line of beautiful classic fall pieces this season, but are there any other cardigan-lovers out there who are having a difficult time deciding WHICH of the fantastic cardigan or sweaters to order?
I’m here, of course, to save the day — Da, da, da, DAH!
Some may want to call me the Cardigan Hero?? Shana…can we have a cardigan cape made for me please, ASAP? Your friendly cardigan hero has brought home ten of J.Crew’s cardigans and tried them with three go-to basic looks to determine the pros and cons of each (seven cardigans made the cut).
Now these are not the typical statement cardigans I often like to cover for TME this time of year. For statement cardigans, I almost always find something fabulous at Anthropologie (I’ve been eyeing this plaid one and this animal print), but for versatile, classic, everyday, wear-with-everything cardigans?
J.Crew has the best selection by far.
J.Crew carries the best everyday, regular cardigans, cardigan-blazers, and cardigan-jackets; relaxed, structured, long, short and in-between; wool, cashmere, cotton, blends; and every shade of easy-to-wear neutrals. They even have a few options for a pop of color. Many of their cardigans come in extended sizing XXS-3X, and J.Crew has stepped up its game in producing many pieces with sustainable materials as well. We are BIG fans.
The Best J.Crew Cardigans, By Type
The One That Spoofs a Blazer: J.Crew’s Eloise Sweater-Blazer
The Most Versatile: J.Crew’s Juliette Collarless
The Coziest: J.Crew’s Cable-Knit Open Cardigan
The Most Luxe: J.Crew’s Tie-Waist Cashmere
The Warmest: J.Crew’s Cocoon Sweater-Blazer
The Best Cardigan For Tall Gals: J.Crew’s Long Sweater-Coat
My 3 Personal Favorite J.Crew Cardigans
If you’re in a hurry, my personal top three cardigans at J.Crew right now are J.Crew’s Sweater-Blazer (perfect for adding polish to everyday pieces), J.Crew’s Cable-Knit Cardigan (the coziness and pretty lines do it for me), and J.Crew’s Cashmere Tie-Waist Cardigan (super luxe and soft).
Sweater-Blazer | Cable-Knit | Cashmere Tie
Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Note on Clogs: SUPER cute (4 colors) and roomy toe box, but size up by half. My usual size was too short.
A Review of J.Crew Cardigans & Sweater Blazers (With Outfit Ideas)
For the seven cardigans, I’m trying each on with my usual go-to outfits, to better assess versatility: jeans and flats (my everyday look), black jeans and clogs (for a dressier version — may be office appropriate for some), and an easy weekend look with joggers and sneakers.
I’ve also included fit notes and pros/cons for each.
1. The Best Sweater-Blazer (In Black)
Cardigan | Denim | Stripe Sweater | Flats
Pros: Technically a “sweater-blazer”, this guy INSTANTLY polishes any look you’re wearing. Soft and comfy cotton blend. Feels really nice on. Six colors (I now REALLY want to order the gorgeous dark brown too!). XXS-3X sizing. The perfect structured (but not too structured) shape for those of us who don’t typically wear blazers.
Cons: I love the belted look shown here in the heather walnut, but couldn’t get that look to work for me. I may need to size up for that. Not cashmere-soft, but has that nice lightweight cotton softness.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS and happy with the fit. Would maybe need to size up, though, for the belted look. I’m 5’2, 138 lbs, pear-shaped for reference.
Cardigan | Black Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Joggers | Tank | Sneaks | Backpack
2. The Best Sweater Blazer (In Khaki)
Cardigan | Denim | Stripe Sweater | Flats
Pros: This sweater-blazer was so good in the black, that I had to try the khaki as well. It’s a great khaki tone…just enough yellow/tan for the color to feel especially warm. Easy-to-wear cotton blend, polishes any outfit, extended sizing, and lots of color choices. A really great option if you want a blazer-type look, but don’t like the structure or feel of a typical blazer.
Cons: Couldn’t get the belted look to work for me. You can see the belted look in the heather-walnut color here…I maybe would need to size up for that. Not cashmere-soft, but has that nice lightweight cotton softness.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS and happy with the fit. May need to size up, though, if you want to belt it. I’m 5’2, 138 lbs, pear-shaped for reference.
Cardigan | Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Joggers | Tank | Sneaks | Backpack
3. J.Crew’s Most Versatile Cardigan
Cardigan | Denim | Stripe Sweater | Flats
Pros: This cardigan works with everything. It’s relaxed, but can be dressed up, and is often the answer when you’re looking for just the right top layer on a slightly cool day. Same great cotton blend as the Eloise (medium weight-soft). Five fabulous colors…someone please order the dark green and report back! The bright cerise also looks so fun. XXS-3X sizing.
Cons: It’s not super exciting (unless maybe you order the green or bright cerise). It really is the cardigan that lives in your closet forever and doesn’t wow anyone, but is always reliable. Not cashmere-soft, but has that nice lightweight cotton softness.
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS and happy with the fit. I think it could easily work on folks taller or shorter –I’m 5’2, 138 lbs, pear-shaped for reference.
Cardigan | Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Joggers | Tank | Sneaks | Backpack
4. J.Crew’s Coziest Cardgian
Cardigan | Denim | Stripe Sweater | Flats
Pros: Definitely the style I’m most drawn to. Wide sleeves, interesting weave, and a great taupe tone. Feels like you’re wearing a blanket, but the cable-knit detailing, trim and wide sleeves give it a really nice effortlessly stylish feel.
Cons: Very oversized. Unfortunately, a little too big for my frame I think. So sad. Just wish they offered one size smaller. Or PLEASE feel free to tell me it looks fine and I should keep it!!! This is the one I WANT to wear. Has wool in the blend if you are sensitive to wool–I found it VERY soft and cozy, though.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS-S and I love the oversized look, but I think it’s unfortunately just a little too big. I’m 5’2, 138 lbs, pear-shaped for reference.
Cardigan | Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Joggers | Tank | Sneaks | Backpack
5. J.Crew’s Most Luxe Cardigan (100% Cashmere)
Cardigan | Denim | Stripe Sweater | Flats
Pros: Oooooooh. This one is GOOD! So chic and the cashmere is luxuriously soft, but not a terrible price for cashmere cardigans. You can see Shana in the gray one here. Cashmere sourced through AbTF’s The Good Cashmere Standard.
Cons: On the pricer end for J.Crew cardigans. No extended sizing.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS-S and like the fit. I’m 5’2, 138 lbs, pear-shaped for reference. I think I could have even gone a size up for a more relaxed drapier feel with the tie.
Cardigan | Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Joggers | Tank | Sneaks | Backpack
6. J.Crew’s Warmest Cardigan
Cardigan | Denim | Stripe Sweater | Flats
Pros: Thicker and warmer than many of J.Crew’s other cardigans. Four colors and XXS-3X sizing. Could definitely be worn more as a sweater-coat and layered over other sweaters.
Cons: If you’re not a wool fan, this is soft wool, but it still definitely feels like wool. It’s soft enough for me, but not as cozy as some of the others. I don’t find myself reaching for it in the same way I’ve been wanting to wear the cotton blend, cashmere, or wool blend cable-knit one.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS and happy with the fit. If I was going to wear it like a coat over thicker sweaters, I would consider the S instead, but I’m wearing it over a thin sweater above, and it fits just right. I’m 5’2, 138 lbs, pear-shaped for reference.
Cardigan | Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Joggers | Tank | Sneaks | Backpack
7. The Best J.Crew Cardigan For Tall Gals
Cardigan | Denim | Stripe Sweater | Flats
Pros: Long-line sweaters are SO fun to wear. It’s like you’re allowed to wear a robe out of the house and then get praised for looking so cute! This is an especially great stripe (totally wears like a neutral), but it also comes in two solid colors as well.
Cons: It’s definitely long. Likely too long for me to wear on the regular with flats and sneaks, but I did like it with clogs. It has wool in the blend if you’re sensitive to wool–plenty soft for me, though. No extended sizing.
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS-S. Too big for my smaller frame I think. I’m 5’2, 138 lbs, pear-shaped for reference.
Cardigan | Denim | Tee | Clogs | Similar Bags
Joggers | Tank | Sneaks | Backpack
I know a bunch of you have some of these cardigans already…shout out your favorites and how you wear them! As always, I love hearing from you.
-Linzi
