Black Cashmere Cardigans

The Black Cardigan as a Wardrobe Anchor

A black cardigan does the work of three garments: it's a light jacket for transitional weather, a layering piece for cold offices, and a more relaxed alternative to a blazer for meetings that don't require formal dress. In cashmere, it does all of this while looking more intentional than a basic knit.

The difference between a good black cashmere cardigan and a forgettable one comes down to two things: the button spacing and the shoulder seam. Buttons too far apart cause gapping between them. Buttons too close together look fussy. And if the shoulder seam sits even slightly too wide, the whole cardigan reads sloppy instead of relaxed.

Open Front vs. Button Front

Open-front black cardigans are easier to throw on and have a more contemporary silhouette, but they don't provide the same clean line as a button-front when you need to look pulled together. If you're choosing one black cardigan, button-front is more versatile. If you're adding a second, go open-front for casual days.