The Long Game

A long cardigan sits somewhere between a sweater and a coat. On cool days you can wear it instead of a jacket, and on cold days it layers under a coat without bulk.

It also covers the hips, which makes leggings and skinny jeans feel more pulled together.

I split the edit into two groups: neutral long cardigans first, then patterned and colored long cardigans.

Start here. The taupe pointelle cardigan and the cream button front style look lovely with denim, the camel and brown longline styles feel like a soft coat, and the black long cardigans go with everything.

For lounging, the light grey and cream ultra soft styles are the coziest, the grey belted cardigan wraps like a robe you can wear out, and the chunky cream waffle knit is perfect for the weekend.

My fitting room test: let it hang open and walk. It should swing, not cling to your legs. What I would skip: very thin knits that stretch out at the pockets.

These add some fun. The forest green cable knit and the green leopard intarsia feel cheerful against grey and denim, the brown leopard cardigan is a wild neutral, and the navy and plum buffalo plaid style looks like a cozy cabin.

What I check: the pattern at the seams. A good knit lines up the pattern on the front edges. What I would skip: prints that pill quickly on the sides where your arms rub.

Wear a camel long cardigan with a white tee, straight jeans and ankle boots. On the weekend, try a cream chunky long cardigan with leggings and sneakers.

Add a belt to define your waist if the length feels like too much.