Positive, everyone knows what wardrobe essentials for work skilled ladies are alleged to have of their closets, however in the event you’re shopping for one for the primary time or changing one you’ve worn into the bottom, it may be a ache to search out precisely the proper incarnation in shops. In “The Hunt,” we search the shops for a fundamental merchandise that each girl ought to have.
It has been too lengthy since we have gone on a Hunt for everybody’s favourite topper — the jardigan / sweater jacket / knit blazer. A part of the issue with this pretty third piece is that shops by no means fairly know what to name it, or the place to place it. Some shops put these things with the blazers; others put them with the sweaters. (The reply, pricey retailers, is PUT THEM IN ALL OF THEM, however apparently that isn’t the widespread follow.)
The opposite drawback is the identify — ought to they be known as sweater jackets? Knit jackets? Sweater blazers? Knit blazers? Jacket cardigans? Jardigans?
For the sake of argument, let’s name it a sweater jacket….
What Are Sweater Jackets?
For definitional functions, this piece ought to…
- be capable of be swapped for both a blazer or a cardigan in your wardrobe
- not have inside lining or stitching that may inhibit the consolation of sporting it
- be constituted of a considerable sufficient cloth that it has a little bit of a construction by itself, however not be so thick (tweed, boiled wool) that it is a boxy mess, or be so insubstantial that it is gauzy
- be constituted of a material that feels extra like a sweater (even when tightly knit) and fewer like a ponte, scuba, or twill
- (presumably) have extra blazer-like particulars (patch pockets, scarf collars, a comparatively substantial knit)
- not be a coatigan, duster, or kimono
Are Sweater Jackets Totally different Than Girl Jackets?
My sense is that the “sweater girl jacket” or “girl sweater jacket” is a mash up of two issues: the girl jacket, which I are likely to affiliate as being a boxy, cropped third piece — assume Chanel — and the sweater jackets like those we’re rounding up right here. Typically in addition they seem like cardigans with a bit extra heft.
Work Outfit Concepts with Sweater Jackets
Sweater jackets can serve two essential functions in your work outfits: they’ll make informal outfits extra polished, and so they could make stuffy, conservative outfits look extra approachable and informal.
For instance: an outfit of dark rinse denim, T-shirt, and sneakers can seem to be it is on the acute informal facet of “enterprise informal” — however in the event you throw on a sweater jacket you are including some construction, in addition to heat. (You might wish to swap these sneakers for loafers or boots to make the outfit much more polished, or swap the darkish rinse denim for some comfy however polished pull-on pants.)
On the flip facet, for example you are transferring from a conservative legislation agency to a enterprise informal place in-house. Your wardrobe could include conservative, structured garments like sheath dresses, blouses, trousers, and extra. You possibly can nonetheless put on them with a pleasant blazer — however in the event you placed on a sweater blazer as an alternative, it makes the complete outfit really feel a bit extra informal.
One explicit outfit concept that works with enterprise informal in addition to conservative workplaces: mixing a couple of colours of neutrals. For instance, a navy sweater jacket, olive pants, and a black T-shirt or shirt. Or, a navy pair of pants (or denims), a shiny white T-shirt or shirt, and a cream/ivory/beige sweater jacket.
{associated: do take a look at our commonly up to date listing of wardrobe essentials for work!}
Favorites and Bestsellers: The Finest Sweater Jackets for the Workplace
The Finest Girl Sweater Jackets
A few of our newest favourite lady jackets for work embody sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the price range facet of issues, take a look at Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. In the event you favor a lined, extra Chanel-style jacket for work, do check out IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell typically have them at budget-friendly costs.
Our Newest Favourite Sweater Jackets for Plus Sizes
Equally, there are some plus-size sweater jackets which were round for years and are all the time bestsellers…
{associated: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
A Nearer Have a look at A few of the Bestselling Sweater Jackets for the Workplace
J.Crew Manufacturing facility Sweater Blazer
I do know readers have sung the praises of J.Crew Manufacturing facility’s fashionable sweater jackets for a couple of years now — and I’ve all the time appreciated the look of this structured schoolboy sweater blazer (pictured).
They’ve it in a number of colours proper now in sizes XXS-3X and XXSP-XLP. NICE. (Additionally they have one other looser, extra outsized sweater jacket, which additionally seems to be actually trendy!)
(Professional tip: in addition they have among the finest costs and choice for girl sweater jackets!)
{associated: the best blazers for women this year}
J.Crew Sweater Girl Jacket
J.Crew has a reasonably vast number of sweater jackets (with many obtainable as much as dimension 3X!), though I’d argue that the brand new, longer model seems to be extra like a coat (or everybody’s dreaded look, the gown)… however possibly that is me.
The Emilie is the model that has been round for a number of years; in addition they have a way more relaxed outsized sweater jacket nonetheless in inventory from a 12 months or two in the past. J.Crew’s been transferring extra in direction of sweater lady jackets, which have a little bit of a cropped, boxy look, and a thicker weave than quite a lot of the opposite sweater jackets pictured right here.
Do that one with match and flare clothes, in addition to with wide leg trousers — however skip the naked midriff for the workplace.
It is obtainable in a number of colours and patterns for simply over $200 full value, obtainable in sizes XXXS-3X.
{associated: where to find Chanel-style jackets for work}
Quince
Quince’s knit blazer has been round for a couple of years, and so they preserve increasing the choices when it comes to colour and extra.
They at present supply 10 colours in sizes XS-XL; the blazer is often priced at $69.90.
Trendy Citizen
In the event you’re seeking to elevate your look, take into account this cotton-wool version from Modern Citizen. The architectural sleeves and barely cinched waist present one thing a bit of extra thrilling than your fundamental silhouette, and the cotton-wool mix seems to be like the proper weight. Make it your new back-of-the chair go-to or put it aside for an important day.
The sweater is $168 at Modern Citizen and is available in sizes XS-1X. It’s additionally obtainable in buckwheat and grey.
Summersalt Ribbed Sweater Blazer
This ribbed sweater model from Summersalt has been round for a couple of years now and appears nice — it is obtainable in 4 colours (pictured: olive), in sizes XS-2X, for $125.
{associated: how to wear a blazer with something other than a suit}
L’Agence Lacey Knit Blazer
Depart it to L’Agence to create the perfect knit blazer. We’ve sung the praises of L’Agence blazers for years, however that is the primary time I’ve seen their attractive knit variations. The knit seems to be luxurious and the silhouette doesn’t veer into boxy territory like quite a lot of the knit blazers I’ve seen.
The Lacey knit blazer is out there in sizes XS-XL for $425 at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Amazon, and L’Agence.
(I am unsure how lengthy they’re going to have it, however do check out this comparatively comparable possibility from Ann Taylor.)
{associated: investment/statement blazers}
M.M.LaFleur’S Jardigan
And naturally, you’ll be able to’t have a roundup with out the O.G. jardigans — the M.M.LaFleur Woolf and Sant Ambroeus. They’ve all the time been big hits with readers, and the entire sweater jacket pattern appeared to originate there.
They’ve expanded their vary of labor garments fairly a bit through the years, and now supply longer sweater jackets, cropped sweater jackets, and extra, in addition to the unique bestsellers. The Merritt, above, is likely one of the newer choices.
You’ll find them in 5+ colours at MM.LaFleur (and typically at Zappos and Nordstrom!) in sizes XXS-XXL.
(Observe that they briefly got here in sizes as much as 3X, so preserve an eye fixed out on resale websites in the event you’re looking.)
State of Cotton NYC Beale Blazer
On the expensive facet of issues, State of Cotton (one in all J.Crew’s “manufacturers we love”) has a beautiful sweater blazer for $595.
The model’s web site has the pictured sweater jacket in 4 colours (XS-L), in addition to two different contenders: the Merion (extra of a woman jacket) and the Sutton (extra of a jardigan).
Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan
Jenni Kayne’s homepage notes that they “cannot preserve this cardigan in inventory,” and I can perceive why – I like the structured, sweater jacket-y really feel to it, in addition to the nipped-in waist and barely slouchy, vast arms. The wool/cashmere sweater is available in 3 colours for $525, in sizes XS-XXL.
Readers, what are your favourite sweater jackets, jardigans, knit blazers, and extra? (How would you outline the wardrobe staple?) What do you assume is the most effective sweater jacket for the workplace?
Different Favourite JACKETS AND Blazers to Put on as Separates
The Finest Blazers
The Finest Sweater Girl Jackets
A few of our newest favourite lady jackets for work embody sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the price range facet of issues, take a look at Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. In the event you favor a lined, extra Chanel-style jacket for work, do check out IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell typically have them at budget-friendly costs.
The Finest Chanel-Model Jackets
A few of our newest favourite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2025 embody these, however basically verify extra jacket-y choices like Chanel, IRO, L’Agence, and Veronica Beard, in addition to extra sweater-y choices like St. John, and ba&sh. J.Crew and Nic & Zoe supply a bunch of each varieties, in common and plus sizes. On the price range facet of issues, take a look at CeCe, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), J.Crew Factory, and Mango. (Additionally take a look at our roundup of the best lady jackets for work!) Nordstrom has a bunch in all value factors!
The Finest Cardigans
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