how to find the perfect cardigan

Hey y’all! How’s the back to school shopping coming along for everyone? I guarantee that one almost everyone’s shopping list, cardigans are a definite must for fall and the start of classes! To help you guys find the perfect cardigan, here are a few of my favorite cardigans worn with one central outfit plus a few different accessories. Enjoy! :D

I promise I’m not getting paid to say this!! My absolute favorite cardigan out there at the moment is definitely American Apparel’s unisex solid rib oversized pocket cardigan. I have it in at least four colors and plan on buying a few more (navy, cranberry, white) when I get the chance! They are the most versatile cardigans I’ve ever purchased and if you guys have been keeping up with my personal blog, they’re also the ones I wear with most of my outfits. The dark gray has been my favorite color so far because it helps me subtly change up outfits that would usually be all black. The black is my next preference because of its versatility but I’ve been leaning toward the red lately because of the refreshing pop of color it adds to my outfits! (I also have a brown one but I didn’t take a picture of it!) The price may be steep at $38 but trust me, it’s worth it. In addition to the many colors and comfortable cut, I also LOVE the fact that it has pockets that can hold my ipod and phone when I’m running around on campus!

This past month I also bought this long cardigan from H&M which fits like a dream! It was actually one of the daily deals they have every so often so it only cost $20. Although it does not have pockets and a way to close it, it’s really great for pulling off the lazy “just-rolled-out-of-bed” look without looking too sloppy. Leave those sweats at home and instead opt for a long cardigan paired with a long flowy tank top or shirt, scarf, and booties! That’s definitely what I’m going to go for when it comes to my 8 am class, ugh. On the other end of the spectrum, H&M also offers shorter light cardigans in a plethora of colors. The bright blue one I’ve been wearing lately is from the Divided line (which usually costs around $18) but if you prefer more muted colors the regular line has another more fitted cardigan for $2 extra. These light cardigans are great for throwing on when you don’t feel like channeling the oversized look or just want a more professional cut.

Finally, for those of you who like to stick true to the cheapest alternative, thrift stores are also great for finding the perfect cardigan. While it’s going to take some effort and is less reliable than shopping at chain stores, in the end it’s worth it. I love frequenting thrift stores in search of knit oversized “grandpa” style cardigans which are both cozy and chic when paired with the right outfit. The first comfy cardigan is spun from a navy colored wool and was (a somewhat steep) $8 from Salvation Army and the second one is a tan wool one from Goodwill for $3.

There are obviously plenty of other places where the perfect cardigan may be found but it’s up to you guys to find them! Hopefully these suggestions help you out :)