Cardigans!

[mauvishagain]

Oh wise ladies of S&B, I need your help because I am totally CRAP at clothes shopping --

I'd like a cardigan. It needs to fulfil the following criteria:

1. Nice material. Lambswool/merino/cashmere - or a blend is fine, but definitely not full synthetic.
2. Black, or charcoal, or a warm cream. Definitely not a dull greige. Navy might do at a (big) push.
3. A style I can wear either buttoned up, or open. I find so many cardis that look good open, don't sit well buttoned and vice versa. They gape if they're buttoned, of the neckline hangs miserably if open!
4. Preferably no more than £100 but I'm prepared to go a little higher for the perfect cardi.
5. Available from an outlet where I can try it on, ie not just online. This is probably the most important thing; I need to try the size and fit but feeling the fabric is absolutely vital for me. I HATE buying clothes online for this reason! I can get to Manchester or Leeds within an hour (other cities are also available!) so hopefully that will give plenty of choice of shops.

For further reference, I'm a size 10-12 and C cup (ie not flat chested).

I'm excited to see what people suggest! Many thanks in advance!

White Stuff cardigans are my favourites.

I’m on the hunt for a new black cardigan so am following with interest.

Uniqlo have a ribbed merino one that I like the look of. Had a look at the & other stories website today, several options of which this is the front runner
www.stories.com/en-gb/product/wool-blend-cardigan-black-1292738003/

Long or short? I like a long cardi

following with interest.
Im looking for a cardigan at the moment as well. I would avoid M&S cashmere and White stuff 100% cotton as they both quickly lose their shape and size after washing in my experience: M&S gets smaller and White stuff - bigger.

Not too long. Basically, the cardigan of my dreams would function as a jumper if I wanted to wear it as such, but would still look good if I chose to unbutton it and wear as a cardigan. Usually, a cardigan that looks good when unbuttoned (ie not too baggy on me) would then gape when buttoned up.

Having recently welcomed the rediscovery of my waist(!), I don't want anything too long and baggy!

I’ve just bought a gorgeous one from Toast. It was red and also £200 so doesn’t tick your boxes, but it’s so soft and I love it. It comes in other colours too

John Lewis have nice cashmere - I’ve bought jumpers and cardigans there.

Albaray do a lovely v neck slightly boxy cardi I wear open or closed - got a cream one last year and considering the red this year!

I don’t own this but I believe it’s a popular style https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/gaspard-cardigan/red#size-xxs

https://www.woolovers.com/womens/cardigan/cashmere-merino-crew-neck-cardigan-green-31648?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1347227736&gbraid=0AAAAAD7m7nzwjD_ossPCaFDA-uBKh1jLf&gclid=CjwKCAjwt-_FBhBzEiwA7QEqyP3uQakICMYlh0Er0GUkRCKAowqk2Zno37MKTse7zoqE7u202OEzRBoChZsQAvD_BwE

Came on to suggest Sézane but see someone has beaten me to it! I really like their Othello cardigans - I tend to wear them buttoned up so they are more like a jumper and they are so soft and snuggly. Good range of colours too.

I have a very small frame, boobs still , and middle aged belly spread, and the cardigans that suit me are thin knits - I dont know but rather they type that came with a "twin set and pearls " of the 50/60's - very Jackie O

I often use them as a jumper - tbh I usually wear them as a jumper . very formal looking but it's what suits me

This thread has thrown me into ecstasy. I love cardigans. I live in hope of finding an adorable twin set (no pearls).

This is my favourite shoe shop and they also have gorgeous knitwear. You might like this cardigan.
https://memery.co.uk/collections/vintage-knitwear/products/1940s-vintage-style-cardigan-black-vera

Edited to add that you'll have to try it on at home but returns are incredibly easy and it's really worth establishing your size with them so you can buy more things!

See my link above - they have matching short sleeved knitwear and cardigans.

Used to be a staple buy for me in the late 70's early 80s from Marks ( no I certainly didn't wear with pearls either ) :)

My favourite cardigan is from Cos and works like jumper when buttoned and also looks good open - it’s quite fitted and plain, 100% wool and round neck. So have a look there, also brands in the same family - arket, & other stories and weekday. Also try Celtic &Co, woolovers and toast, though toast is over budget but there might be good finds on eBay.

I like the Woolovers cardie. Does anyone here have one?

I'll have a look at Cos etc.

Second this.

Oops sorry I was forgetting you don’t want to buy online - cos etc do have real shops, but not some of the others. But sometimes you just have to do the returns thing!

I just bought the Gaspard cardigan from Sezane, my first purchase from them.

Most of my cardis are Benetton. Not sure what they’ve got in currently, but there’s usually a reliable variety of styles, in wool.

I have bought cashmere cardigans from various shops but the best one I have found is Lands End. The cardigans have been washed and sometimes dry cleaned and worn now for several years and they still look new. M&S was the probably the worst cashmere cardi I have ever bought.

https://www.woolovers.com/womens/cardigan

Yes I've got two colours of the woolovers cashmere/merino blend, and wore one or the other of them every day to work last winter. They are very cosy, considering how light weight they are and kept their shape through numerous washes.
They do pill/bobble a bit, especially under the arms, but I think that is par for the course with this kind of wool, and I weirdly quite like an evening in front of the tv with the clothes shaver thing...