Cardigan Sweaters for Women: Types, Fits & How to Choose
A cardigan sweater is a knitted layer that opens down the front, most often with buttons, though zips and ties are also options. Choose by neckline, length and knit weight, then compare the garment bust and length with a cardigan you already own. That check helps you judge its shape before ordering.
What Is a Cardigan Sweater?
Collins English Dictionary defines a cardigan as "a knitted jacket or sweater with buttons up the front". The word dates to the 19th century and is named after James Thomas Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan. Brudenell was a British cavalry officer who led the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava in 1854 during the Crimean War.
Etymonline records the term from 1868 for a "close-fitting knitted woolen jacket or waistcoat." The front opening distinguishes a cardigan from a pullover. It can be worn open over another top or closed as a knitted layer.
Cardigans today range from fine knits to longline styles. When you shop, check the neckline, closure, knit weight and fit in that order.
Types of Cardigans
Cardigan types are usually grouped by neckline, closure, length and knit. The same size label can mean a close-to-body fine knit or a relaxed longline layer, so cut matters more than the tag. Necklines include crew, V-neck and shawl collar. Lengths run hip-length to longline, and closures are buttons, zip or tie.
Crew-Neck Cardigans
A crew-neck cardigan has a round neckline that sits at the base of the neck. The Fine-Knit Crew-Neck Cardigan is a lightweight fine knit with a neat close-to-body shape that slips under jackets and coats. It comes in heather gray or pale blue in sizes S and M.
The garment bust is 87 cm / 34.3 in for size S and 91 cm / 35.8 in for size M. The size S length is 53 cm / 20.9 in. The page says to compare these measurements with a cardigan you already own and to size up for a roomier fit.
V-Neck and Tie-Front Cardigans
A V-neck cardigan opens the neckline in a downward point. That shape leaves more of the upper body visible than a crew neck and works well over a simple top. A tie-front version adds an adjustable closure at the waist instead of a row of buttons.
EastLyst's tie-front V-neck is a plush long-pile faux mink with adjustable side ties. It is 100% nylon and cut as a unisex style. You can pull the ties in for more shape or leave them loose for an open front.
Shawl-Collar Cardigans
A shawl-collar cardigan has a turned collar that forms a continuous fold around the back of the neck. The Alpaca-Blend Shawl Cardigan pairs that collar with a relaxed silhouette.
It comes in Sea Salt Oat or Classic Black in sizes S and M, and the size S length is 70 cm / 27.6 in. The fiber blend is 40% alpaca wool, 10% sheep wool, 27% acrylic, 21% nylon and 2% spandex.
Longline Cardigans
A longline cardigan extends below the hip. The Wool-Blend Longline Knit Cardigan is a belted longline knit with a relaxed cut. It is available in a shawl-collar version in apricot or black, and a black stand-collar version. Sizes are S, M and L.
For the shawl-collar version, the size S length is 112 cm / 44.1 in and the bust is 136 cm / 53.5 in. Manual measurements may vary by 2 to 3 cm. The page says to choose your usual size for the intended relaxed fit. The belt lets you pull the waist in or leave the front open.
Zip and Button Cardigans
A button cardigan uses a row of front buttons, while a zip cardigan uses a front zipper. Buttons let you leave the top, bottom or middle open, depending on how many you fasten. A zip gives a cleaner front closure and opens or closes in one motion.
Choose between them by considering how you want to open the front. Buttons let you adjust the opening at several points, while a zipper closes the full front in one motion. Think about the layer underneath and whether you want a visible placket or a simpler closure. The neckline and knit thickness also affect how the front sits.
Fine Knit vs Chunky Knit
Fine knit cardigans are thin enough to wear under a jacket or coat. The Fine-Knit Crew-Neck Cardigan is lightweight and close to the body, so it slips under outerwear without adding bulk. Chunky and plush knits create more volume and warmth, so they often work as the outer layer instead. For outfit ideas with heavier knitwear, see How to Style a Chunky Knit Cardigan This Fall.
Fiber and pile also change how a knit feels. The tie-front style uses a plush long-pile faux mink, while the shawl cardigan uses a wool blend. Those surfaces feel different in the hand and create different visual texture. For another fabric overview, read What Is Tencel Fabric? Lyocell vs Cotton Explained.
How Should a Cardigan Fit?
Start with the shoulder seam. On a classic cardigan, the shoulder seam should sit near the edge of the shoulder, not down the arm. The sleeve should end around the wrist without covering the hand, and the front should close without pulling across the bust.
A close-to-body cardigan has less ease and fits neatly against the body. A relaxed silhouette has more room through the chest and body. The fine-knit crew-neck is cut close to the body. The alpaca shawl cardigan and wool longline cardigan have relaxed silhouettes.
If you are between two body measurements, compare the garment bust with a cardigan you already wear. A cardigan several centimeters larger across the chest feels more relaxed than one that matches your body measurement. The fine-knit page suggests sizing up for a roomier fit. To judge fit, match garment bust and length to a cardigan you own. Size labels do not mean the same fit across styles.
How to Read a Cardigan Size Chart
Garment measurements are not body measurements. They describe the cardigan itself, usually with the front closed and the knit laid flat. To choose a size, measure a cardigan you already own across the bust from underarm to underarm and down the center back, then compare those numbers with the product page.
Different styles cut very differently. The fine-knit crew-neck cardigan has a size S bust of 87 cm / 34.3 in and a length of 53 cm / 20.9 in. The wool-blend longline cardigan has a size S bust of 136 cm / 53.5 in. The same size label can mean a close-to-body layer or a very relaxed outer piece.
Measurements are taken by hand, so allow for a small difference. If you are between sizes or want more room, the fine-knit product page suggests sizing up for a relaxed fit. For more help with international sizing, see Asian Size to US Size: Clothing Size Chart & Guide.
Which Cardigan Should You Buy First?
If you are building a starting collection of cardigan sweaters for women, a fine crew-neck in a neutral such as heather gray or pale blue is the easiest layering piece. It works under jackets and coats without adding bulk.
For a layer with more coverage, consider a shawl-collar cardigan or a longline cut. The shawl collar wraps around the neck, while the longline shape extends below the hip. Think about what you will layer it over and whether you prefer a belted waist or a simple open front. To compare available styles, visit the women's sweaters collection.
FAQ
What is the difference between a cardigan and a sweater?
A cardigan is a type of sweater that opens down the front, usually with buttons, a zip or a tie. A sweater can also be a pullover with no front opening. Collins English Dictionary defines a cardigan as a knitted jacket or sweater with buttons up the front. A cardigan is a specific front-opening style within the larger sweater category.
Should a cardigan be fitted or loose?
It depends on the style and how you plan to wear it. A fine knit crew-neck can sit close to the body so it layers under a jacket. A shawl-collar or longline cardigan often has a relaxed silhouette with more room through the chest and body. Compare the garment bust with a cardigan you already own to see which fit you are choosing.
What length cardigan is most flattering?
There is no single most flattering length because proportions vary. A short or hip-length cardigan ends near the top of the hip and is easy to layer with high-waisted bottoms. A longline cardigan extends below the hip and creates a longer vertical line. Choose the length that suits the outfit and the amount of coverage you want.
Can you wear a cardigan as a jacket?
Yes, many relaxed and heavier cardigans work as an outer layer in mild weather. A shawl-collar cardigan and a belted longline cardigan add more coverage than a fine knit. A lightweight fine knit cardigan works better as a mid layer under a coat or jacket because it sits close to the body and slips under outerwear easily.
What is a shawl-collar cardigan?
A shawl-collar cardigan has a turned collar that forms a continuous fold around the back of the neck. EastLyst's Alpaca-Blend Shawl Cardigan uses a relaxed silhouette and comes in Sea Salt Oat or Classic Black. Its folded shape differs from the round neckline of a crew neck. The size S length is 70 cm / 27.6 in.
How do I know my cardigan size?
Do not rely on the size label alone. Look at the garment bust and length measurements on the product page, then compare them with a cardigan you already own. For a close-to-body fine knit, you may size up for a more relaxed fit. Hand measurements can be off by a little. When in doubt, compare measurements rather than only body size.