Everyone’s Wearing Long Cardigans Right Now, and We Know Exactly Why

This super soft, open-front knit is an excellent place to start if you’ve never worn a long cardi before. With six neutral hues to choose from, there’s bound to be one that fits in with your existing fall wardrobe of black leggings and basic tees.

The black and white trim and oversize pearlescent buttons give this sweater a vintage vibe we can’t get enough of. And we love that it can double as a dress, too.

We came for the stunning deep green hue and stayed for the 95 five-star reviews. Shoppers rave about the versatility and the incredibly soft fabric of this Lulus piece, but note that it is very lightweight. So, while it will certainly look fabulous over your slim-fit turtleneck tees and plaid trousers, it isn’t warm enough to work as a coat.

Like many of the button-front styles on this list, this striped cardigan can be worn as both a dress and an open sweater. Subtle glitter threads are woven throughout, to make this L’Agence number special enough to wear for Thanksgiving dinner.

Tall gals, this one’s for you. This maxi knit is 46-inches from shoulder to hem, which may be too much on shorter frames but will hit just right on the 5’ 9”-and-up crowd. (Psst, there’s also a gorgeous camel hue, available for pre-order.)

This gorgeous cardi was designed in collaboration with Bethany Yellowtail, a Native American artist and member of the Crow (Apsaalooke) and Northern Cheyenne (Tsetsehestahese & So’taeo’o) Nations in Montana. It incorporates traditional motifs, like dragonflies for abundance and the red road as a path of wellness, and was hand-knit in Peru.

Buy it ($358)

^{Available in sizes XS to XXL}

There are no pockets, buttons or intricate collar treatments to complicate this stunning rust-hued cardigan. Which is precisely why our minimalist-minded hearts love it so.

We love how the fringed trim gives this sweater a western vibe that will go wonderfully with last year’s cowboy boots trend. Of course, it will pair equally well with some cropped wide-leg jeans and a silky cami for a more classic look, too.

Lean into fall’s cabincore trend and pair this oversize Buffalo check style with some hiker boots and a chambray button-down. Or, go the posh route and wear it with a mod black-and-white ensemble instead.

If you thought we were done with cozy matching sets, think again. Rather than rocking oversize sweats, now we’re reaching for sleeker pieces with a more flattering and versatile fit. For instance, you can sport White Fox’s matching cropped tank and pants with this lightweight cardi on the weekends, or layer it over a black turtleneck for any mid-week Zoom meetings.

Buy it ($65)

^{Available in sizes S to L}

There are 14 different stripe and color combinations to choose from with this easy Amazon cardi, which has more than 2,500 five-star reviews. “This sweater is so nice” writes one recent buyer. “Perfect lightweight long cardigan for the fall! The XL size was a great choice fit perfectly with a little room to spare! The quality is excellent!!” One thing to keep in mind: multiple shoppers noted the colors looked a bit different in person than they did online, so be sure to check out the user submitted photos as well.

While advertised as a sweater dress, this balloon-sleeve knit can just as easily be worn as a regular cardigan simply by undoing the buttons down the front. Multiple reviews note how warm and snuggly the fabric is. “It’s heavy enough to be a winter piece, but not so heavy that it weighs you down,” says one shopper. “It’s going to look great with some tights and knee boots and can also be worn to work. I just love it!”

Two things drew us to this simple cardigan: the cashmere blend that’s incredibly soft, and those generous front pockets. In much the same way that dresses with pockets will never lose their novelty, sweaters with storage capability will always seem like a practical option, even if all you stow in there is your lip balm and crumpled tissues.

Reviewers rave about just how stunning the colors of this chunky knit look in person, with some even calling it wearable art. The fabric is thick enough to be worn alone during the crisp autumn months but would need additional layering come the depths of winter. That said, those balloon sleeves and the oversize fit could easily accommodate another sweater underneath, rather than a bulky coat over, so you can stay warm and still be able to show off your beautiful knit.

This superfine merino wool style has a clean, minimalist finish that goes with everything from slinky slip dresses to relaxed jeans. Some reviews do note they found the arms and shoulders to run slightly small, so rather than go a size down as with some of the above, we suggest sticking to your regular size or going up one for this Babaton cardigan.