The Unexpected Style Piece You'll Never Regret Investing In
by The Candidly Team
Too often, our most treasured closet possessions are the ones we wear the least. A coat that’s only seasonal for two weeks in December. A pair of shoes that have sat so long they may as well belong to a museum. By nature, so many of our nicest things get saved for occasions that rarely come around.
We’ve talked before about the only 9 style items that we should actually spend on. But there is one very crucial piece that is particularly worthy. This one, you will turn to over and over. You will wear it possibly more than anything else. You will rely on it to feel warm and cradled and effortlessly lovely any time of day or night.
That item is, of course, the sweater. But wait! Before you abandon this knitwear love-fest to go fawn over a slew of stunning handbags, hear us out.
Sweaters are the thing we always want to wear. A good one is supremely soft. And gorgeously slouchy. Lusty. Feminine. But also…. sooooo, soooo chic. Truly. What else could you throw on over your most ragged sweats and suddenly look splendidly put together?
And think about it. What smoldering style icon hasn’t had a swoony sweater moment? Here’s just a sampling:
It’s almost unjust to have that hair cascading over pure cashmere.
Happy birthday dress who? This is the Marilyn look we dream about.
We’ll take 7 sweaters (and 1 kitchen) from every Nancy Meyers movie we’ve ever seen.
Has there ever been a more on-the-nose tribute to the glory of knitwear?
Image from Film Noir Photos
We’re sorry to admit that there is difference between a lasting, heavenly soft, and genuinely striking sweater and that stiff, itchy thing we buy as an afterthought. But isn’t it time we give ourselves permission to invest in things that feel as gorgeous at they look? And so, here are the best-in-class sweaters that you will always be overjoyed to own.
With a very special little bonus at the end, involving possibly the most iconic sweater look ever worn.
1. The Oversized Cashmere Cardigan
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater
There’s true craftsmanship in this cashmere Quince sweater, which is the spitting image of a certain other famous sweater, the main difference being this one costs more than 3X less! It’s honestly the softest thing we own, and it has the perfect flattering, oversized, ultra-feminine fit. It drapes beautifully but leaves room for layering. So you can wear it over e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Plus, we’ve just never seen such a sea of stunning neutral shades. You can see how we’re wearing ours HERE.
Price: $140
2. The Chic Sweater Coat
The fit of this sweater is wildly special. It’s cozy on an entirely different level but cut like a classic winter coat, so you could literally throw it over buttery leggings or your best pair of jeans, and you’re going to look gorgeously put together. As we mentioned, yes, it’s an investment, but it’s also a piece you’ll likely turn to more than almost anything else in your closet. And it’s so “quiet luxury” in and of itself, it makes all your $30 Amazon pants instantly look more quality and expensive.
Price: $475
3. The Classic Cashmere V-Neck
J. Crew Cashmere Shrunken V-Neck Sweater
So many cashmere pullovers feel good, sure, but the fit is sort of shapeless and meh. This one is heaven on our skin, but it also has the most flattering, waist-nipping cut. It looks especially excellent with our high-waist pants, because it makes our legs look a mile long. One warning though: once you see the vast color and size selection, you will have trouble narrowing down to one. We have an embarrassing number scattered amongst our carts, closets, and Christmas lists at this very moment. And we have no regrets, because we know we’ll continue to wear them constantly.
Price: $138
4. The Cardigan That Turns Anything You Wear Into A “Look”
Possibly the most eye-catching sweater on this list and certainly the one that will get you a dizzying number of compliments when you walk down the street. The subtle ribbing and dipping neckline combine to lengthen and skim and make us feel our absolute best. Wear it open over a white tee or buttoned up and half tucked as your prettiest top. It’s a sweater for those of us who are helpless for stripes but also those of us who just want to look chic while putting in exactly 2 seconds of effort.
Price: $398
5. The Flawless Cableknit Sweater
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cable Cardigan
At $70, can we even call this sweater an “investment piece?” What we will say is that the quality feels like it costs 4x as much. If your dream is to dress like you just stepped off the seaside set of a Nancy Meyers movie, this is the sweater for you. Or if your dream is to feel shrouded in your absolute favorite weighted throw blanket while looking “styled” and effortless, this sweater is for you. And frankly, once you try it on, you’ll recognize that this sweater is for everyone, because it makes anything you wear instantly elevated and cozy-chic. Plus, it’s spacious and drapes in such a way as to narrow our shoulders and leave us feeling desirably cocooned. We love it in navy, but it also comes in a line up of pretty neutrals that make it seem like we’ve mastered an entire fall/ winter wardrobe with just one piece of clothing.
Price: $70
Bonus: A Dupe For The Most Iconic Sweater Look
Rails Perry Cashmere Wool Cardigan
It’s possible to own the exact $1980 sweater that made Katie Holmes look so insanely chic in THIS photo, buuuut you don’t have to, because we found a true double-take dupe, along with the cutest cashmere bra that’s actually wearable.
Price: $268
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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