Cardigans for workwear

[Dreamerinme]

I’m starting a new job after years of being a SAHM and trying to buy new workwear. Office is workwear but not corporate (school).

The office does not have aircon but will have heaters, so I’m looking for something to layer over work tops in case it’s chilly. I’m looking for any cardigans / light jackets (not formal suit ones) that sit well over tops/shirts.

I find the bog standard plain M&S ones pull and bunch tops underneath and don’t sit right.

I won’t suit the sleeveless sweaters-over-shirt look I don’t think (will make me look matronly and gives me monoboob).

Honestly Primark cardis from the menswear range are not bad and wash brilliantly.
You have to wear a cardi if you work in a school office, it's the law 😅

Yes why do they all ride up plus vest tops

Have a gander at Sézane. I buy all my knitwear there. They have some light jackets too.

I recently got promoted at work so needed to up my game dress wise, and discovered Popsy www.popsyclothing.co.uk - they specialise in clothes for school staff.

This is a great cardi - quite thin but cosy, and survives washing machine and tumble dryer fine. And very small and forgiving of being stuffed into a bag. www.johnlewis.com/kaffe-fenia-astrid-cardigan/p6221726

Primary or secondary school office op?
If it’s Primary make sure everything you buy is washable, you may be required to deal with bodily fluids.
Speaking from experience.

Uniqlo heat tech is your friend. I used to live in their black heat tech tops, Ezy pull on trousers and a jersey blazer with Clarks Hamble Oaks when I worked in a school. The trousers come in thicker weights for winter too.

Jersey blazers are comfortable and smarter than a cardigan but not too smart.

Roman do cardigans which I find really useful for work. They’re a very flat knit which gives a smart look. They hang nicely, not as smart as a blazer but a bit more than a chunkier knit. Buttonless, some collared some edge to edge. This is one:

https://www.roman.co.uk/zip-detail-cardigan-16055470

Zara do some lovely ‘knitted jackets’ like this one. Zipped cardigans are also making a comeback and they should solve the buching and pulling problem.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/plain-knit-button-up-jacket-p03991109.html

Uniqlo do good merino cardis as well as chunkier boxy ones and knitted jackets.
M&S have some decent knitted jackets in.
I think M&S do jersey blazers too.

Look for a soft blazer, blazercardigan, that is washable and smartens anything up. Go for a loose fit and longer line.

Love the cardigans spanglybangles suggested.

I'm not sure of your budget, but Sezane do a great selection of merino wool knitted smart cardigans https://www.sezane.com/en/product/betty-cardigan/ecru-navy#size-S

I'm 8-10 and take a Small.
John Lewis and places do versions of this style too.

Get yourself to Sainsbury’s and Tesco! I love a cardigan and am usually a Zara/H&M/Sezane if feeling fancy person, however all my recent purchases have been supermarket. Sainsbury’s in particular had stacks of knitwear the last time I went in. All washing and wearing well so far

Uniqlo is so good for basics like this, either the lambswool or the soufflé knits would do the job. Warm, practical, loads of colours, not too boring, not too spendy.

I got this cardigan recently and have worn it a lot in work. I love the shape of it, but appreciate shoulder pads aren't for everyone!

I've got two of the fatface Anna cardigans, they are so versatile. I'm wearing one over the top of my pjs at the moment (stylish!).

I quite like the cardigans that look a bit like jackets that M&S have loads of atm for work. Not very stylish but a nice warm layer to add or remove