Girl walks in to a store, girl tries on all the cardigans, girl is disappointed. Girl walks in to another store, girl tries on all the cardigans, girl is less disappointed. Girl walks in to Anthropologie, girl tries on all the cardigans, girl is happy. Yes…this has been my week.
I love cardigans. All varieties. Including, and maybe even in first place: a good sweater-coat-cardigan mashup (you know it as the coatigan.) I’m not a denim jacket gal (feels too constricting), I don’t do leather jackets (not my thing), I look like I’m playing dress-up in blazers, but a solid cardigan? Yep.. always does me good. Once upon a time, Boden made AMAZING coatigans that I loved loved loved. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. I’ve worn my Boden coatigan for SO many years though, that it really is time for an update.
I had terrible luck at Madewell and J.Crew, better luck at Free People, and the best luck at Anthro. Here’s what I found:
**The Paloma Sweater Jacket and Cable Knit Sweaters are 50% off right now at Anthro — they are selling out FAST, though. Both would make GREAT gifts, and Anthro has free upgrades right now on fast shipping with delivery by Christmas **
Paloma Sweater Jacket
Paloma Sweater Jacket: I loved both of these (wearing xs). Perfect weight if you want something truly in-between a sweater and a coat. I thought the boiled wool might be scratchy, but in person it’s soft and easy to wear. As you can see below, they both came home with me (for a try-on with my own mirror), and I think I like them even better with my gray straight jeans vs the pilcro flares. 
Hygge Cardigan
Hygge Cardigan: This comes in 5 different colors (including two-toned options), and the terrible dressing room lighting does not do this dark turquoise color justice. I also have to tell you…this cardigan is like wrapping yourself in the coziest, softest, most wonderful blanket, and then being allowed to wear it all day long and look pretty good while your’e doing it — not a bad plan, right? Wearing xs/s with with Pilcro Slim Boyfriend Jean.
Berber Checked Coat
Berber Checked Coat: No, it’s not a cardigan…no, it’s not even a coatigan…and yes, I think it’s a little too big for me (wearing xs — reviews say it runs big), but I still love it. Should I get it, and just pretend it’s not too big and it meets my requirements for an in-between cardigan-sweater-jacket-coat? I need to decide quickly, though, one size has already sold out. Hmm…
Cable Knit Cardigan
Cable Knit Cardigan: Comes in 4 fabulous colors, but I have a taupe Anthro cardigan from years ago that I wear all the time, so I was of course drawn to the one on the left. Ridiculously soft and cozy, hangs nicely, and cut to go with everything. Not quite heavy enough for what I’m looking for right now, but definitely a good closet staple if you’re needing a basic cardigan update. Wearing xs in taupe and s in gray.
Loviisa Textured Cardigan: A really soft and light cardigan to lounge in with your pajamas, or wear out and about. Wearing an xs/s — available in petites (which would have fit me better).
Morganne Longline Jacket
Morganne Longline Jacket: I totally fell in love with this jacket/coatigan! Really lightweight (perfect for in the car, indoors, and wearing all year round) and nice clean lines. Wearing a small (some of the regular sizes are sold out, but lots of availability still in petites, which actually would have fit me better). Wearing with Ludington Waffle Pullover (also really soft and comfy), Pilcro Ultra High Rise Boot Cut Jeans and Danskos.
Taffy Sweater Cardi
Taffy Sweater Cardi: These two cardigans (wearing xs) from FreePeople most match what I set out looking for. Soft, a nice in-between weight, and I LOVE the buttons. I’m more of an open-cardigan kind of gal, but It has a belt/tie to cinch around the waist too as a nice option. Henley underneath with Lucky Jeans and my fav Danskos.
Madewell Cardigans
1: Camden Sweater-Coat in Black: Totally fine, but nothing really special — a good basic, though. 2. Camden Sweater-Coat in Heather Elm: Also fine, but again…nothing special. 3. Donegal Kent Cardigan Sweater: Click through here to see color up close. It’s a really nice speckled black yarn that’s really soft too, but not quite the right cut for me. Didn’t help that the jeans and Danskos weren’t quite right together either…ugh. No luck at all with Madewell. The Whisper Cotton Striped Tee, though was great — hard to go wrong with a striped tee.
J. Crew
So…I’m not even going to put the J.Crew pics in…they are NOT good. NOT good at all. I’m not giving up, though. I have found great pieces at J.Crew in the past, but not this shopping trip.
Below is everything I tried on (a bit easier than scrolling up and down if you’re looking for the links):
Hope this has been helpful for any of you who are fellow coatigan fans. I’m pretty sure my favorites are the Paloma Sweater-Coat and the Free People Sweater Cardi….oh and also the Morganne Longline Jacket…and of course the Berber Checked Coat. Thoughts? Opinions?
-Linzi
The coatigan always confuses me. Are these meant to be worn under a winter coat? Or are they jackets in and of themselves?
Good question, Cortney. I have to admit, for most people it’s a bit of a funny time of year to talk about coatigans, but there are A LOT of options out there right now and I figured I’m happy to talk about them any time of year. 🙂 I wear them constantly in the fall and spring as a transitional top layer (jacket on its own), but my body runs so hot that I often will wear them in winter as well. I throw one on either on days that are warmer (as a jacket on its own) with a warmer layer underneath or days that I need to be in and out of the car and don’t want to wear a giant coat. I think you COULD wear some of them under winter coats, but I would be a hot mess.
My favorite on you is the berber checked coat. It looks great. I’m 5’3″ and have to get everything tailored so I’d see if the length can be taken up a bit, if it even needs to be. Might look cute with skinny jeans/leggings and tall boots.
I love to avoid tailoring when I can, but you’re right….I bet they could make it look “just right.” And good call…tall boots would look great and make it even a warmer look.
I bought last year’s version of the longline jacket in a navy pinstripe. I get compliments every time I wear it. And a good friend has it as well. I am 5’9″ and she is 5’2″ and it looks great on both of us. Comfortable and can be used as a coat during fall/spring, or as a layer under a coat in the winter. I love it! And I love this round up! Thanks so much!
Love this post as I love cardigans. I agree that Anthro has the best selection. I just got a fun long cream kimono one that I am wearing with a turtleneck maxi dress and I love it. My vote is also for the Berber Checked Coat. It looks amazing on you and much better than on the model, which as we know is always a win!