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!

Ooh that's nice. Id like that in half a dozen colours!

Sezane Gaspard or Barry. You would need to go to London to try on. But they do very quick delivery, and will send DHL to collect returns.

I think that M and S cashmere cardigans from autograph are excellent. I do not wash them as I don’t think that you need to wash cashmere, and they keep their shape very well. White stuff I would not particularly recommend.

Boden cropped cashmere. I wear them everyday and have the cotton versions for summer.

Not expensive but Uniqlo has been my go to for knitwear for years.

Uniqlo do reliable v and crew necks.

They do merino and cashmere.

I have massive boobs but they do ok with Uniqlo.

I like Uniqlo, sits well and keeps a good appearance over the season.

The sezane does look lovely! The website suggests to size down, does anyone have any experience to back that up? I see it's a mohair/alpaca mix - is it all itchy?

I have several gaspards - the colours are lovely. You do need to size down. I’m a size 8 and take xxs. I like wearing them as a jumper with the buttons at the back, but do wear them as cardigans too. They are itchy . I don’t mind but some folk can’t wear them. I wear something underneath .
.my most recent purchase was one on burgundy
https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/gaspard-cardigan/burgundy#size-xxs

St Michael via Vinted have lovely cardigans I found a merino one for £10, washes well and must be 30 years old !

I really like this

Baukjen Celine Cardigan in pale blue is lovely.

Jigsaw wool cropped cardigan with raglan sleeves is not that short and is beautiful in the blue colour way.

Marks and Spencers Cashmere, my Mum has loads. Not sure if quality is still as good but she used to swear by them.

I have one and do find it itchy, can't wear it without something underneath, but I do have very sensitive skin.

I liike Moshulu and WoolOvers for good prices and quality.

Urban Outfitters have some nice knitwear in at the mo

Yes it’s lovely - especially the moss green one.

I have the gaspard cardigan and it's quite itchy.

I tried on this one in Massimo Dutti this week https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/wool-blend-knit-cardigan-with-crew-neck-l05665580?pelement=53376917&colorId=800 It's nice in grey - fitted though and not sure if that's what you're looking for?

Also Arket has some in stock. (I'm looking for a grey round neck fitted cardigan, so nothing baggy or long for me)

The White Company has a beautiful oversized cardigan, but at £120 it's very spendy. I've thought about knitting something similar, but the knitting patterns I've seen are very boring. Any suggestions would be gratefully received, Mumsnetters.

I don't think I've ever opened a link on here and wanted the item so badly. That is gorgeous, it looks so soft and snuggly!

Absolutely placemarking for the cardi porn 😍

Woolovers is good value for the fabric. Very ‘classic’ styles. I’m happy with the few things I’ve bought from there but they now send me a catalogue every five minutes and have opened the marketing door to other companies who have decided I’m ready for Hotter shoe catalogues etc too.

It does, but people are saying it's itchy!

The Sézane is itchy as hell. I love mine, but rarely wear it.

I've ordered a Woolover cardi and managed to find a code that gave me 20% off and free delivery! I went for boring charcoal but if I like it, I might go back for something prettier.

Next time I'm in London I'll go to the Sezane "apartement" and have a look at the Gaspard. It is gorgeous looking but it's no good if it makes me itch.

Thanks for the help, everyone!