Please help me find Spring/summer cardigans

[tulpe]

I need a few cardigans for the summer. My criteria are:

1. Must be natural fibres - either merino wool, cashmere or cotton.

1. Must be full length sleeves as cannot abide 3/4 length.

1. Prefer full length body but cropped is also okay but absolutely no "shrug" cardis (am long in the body and these make me look like I am wearing my nieces' clothing).

1. Round neck is my preference but would consider v-neck.

1. Bright colours: red, royal blue, aqua/turquiose, hot pink, grass green

Budget is approx £50 per cardi but at that price I am looking for 2 seasons' worth of wear

Have got this
www.kew-online.com/fcp/product/womens-clothing/cardigans/Basic-Short-Cardigan/99902409
and have seen the pink version which is nice.

Have you looked here www.woolovers.com/womens/cardigans yet? Seems to tick most of your boxes and the winter ones I have bought were of a nice quality.

H and m sell cotton cardis every summer for a tenner

I acquire a couple of new ones each year. They wash up well

Zara do simlar but they are more expensive and often 3/4 sleeves

A few bargains at H&M. Page 2 has a nice beige one with navy trim.

Monsoon. Comes in other colours too

Thanks for the replies.

I like the shape of the Kew one but not the materials it is made from.

Moonshine - I had forgotten about Woolovers. Only had a quick look (supposed to be preparing for birthday party and not MNing!) but I think they are probably what I am after. Good to know the quality is good. Do they bobble/pill much?

I often buy H&M cardis but they only seem to last a season before they look worn out. I am trying to be a little more eco and money conscious and would prefer to spend a little more and have something which lasts.

Think you're wise re. H+M - I tried one on in there last week and was tempted by the nice print, but could see the style wasn't that flattering and it would prob bag quickly and be consigned to the bottom of the pile after a few washes.

keep meaning to try Woolovers - would you mind reporting back?

Esprit? (disclaimer: I have not looked)
I got a nice one from there last summer.

There's some nice cardis on Mango. I've never really looked at their things before but I've just got a lovely 100% wool one in their mid-season sale for £20. And another cotton one for the same price. And delivery is £2.95

But you can'y got wrong with a Smedley - sign up to brandalley, they often have Smedley sales on.

I probably haven't washed my Woolsover cardis enough yet to comment on the 'bobble' factor but, for winter ones, they were a nice thickness and a good shape and the green one I got was a lovely quite subtle and classy colour (or so I thought!).

www.purecollection.com

Have just ordered one of these to try - not sure about the pointelle detail but might as well give it a blast here

moonshine did you go for the Pea Green from Woolovers? I like the look of it on the site but wondering if it is a bit lurid irl.

Millie - I like the shape of those Fat Face cardis but the colours don't say summer to me. I want some vibrant but not garish knitwear. The Fat Face range are all colours I would wear during autumn & winter.

That's interesting about woolovers - I was going to buy from them but then I googled them and saw some bad reviews. I bought from pure collection instead, which I have been happy with (except for the ruffle cardigan, which was hideous and I am sending back) but it is more expensive. Luckily I can get the out of season sale stuff as I'm a season behind in Oz.

I have a woolovers cardi a couple of years ago and it's great! a good weight cotton, and has washed really well. Looks brand new.
Can't comment on price as I got it from warehouse sale, but I got dh a heavy jumper as well, and his has worn equally well.

I got a boden cardi in the sale this winter, and it looks about ten years old already...

worth keeping an eye out for both White Stuff and the White Company.

I amn ot a WS fan but have a few peices of plain knitwear.

I've bought several Woolovers tops and have found that the cashmere/ merino mix is very bobbly after a short time - I wouldn't recommend. The silk/cotton mix, more suitable for the summer anyway, is much better and I have silk/cotton cardigans from Woolovers that have been fine for several summers.

I just saw a couple on the Oasis site. Nice colours. Won't let me link though sorry.

I should have asked on mn before I gave up on them

I bought one of these from Kew last summer, wore it right through summer, just got it out again and it's fine.

Had to size down to an 8 (usually a 12) as the body was swamping me. Not particularly strong colours, but I think I'll order the greenish/blue one.

If you're long in the body, the Monsoon cardis would be good for you, I think. I am a shortie, and they're so so long on me. Nice style and colours though.

Right will check out WS & Oasis.

I like the one from Kew which whatswrongwithyou linked to. I'm not usually enthusiastic about the tie-front cardis but that one looks as though it sits lower down than most?

I saw these lovely seasalt ones last weekend in RL and they're gorgeous. And bright colours and under budget.

Bought this at the weekend - mine wasn't reduced though .

Not sure if I'm keeping it yet but what I like is the deep rib at the waist.

Being an hourglass, I find the longer ones with a short rib bag out around the waist, which is just where I need to emphasise.

But you're right, the Kew one does sit a bit lower than most tie ones, so disguises the spare tyre flatters the waist.