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Cardigans Are Back. And You Need One

Once a fusty afterthought, the fall classic of sweaters is becoming a wardrobe essential

Cindy Weber-Cleary,

AARP

Published August 26, 2026

a collage with four different styles of cardigan sweaters and colorful circles

AARP (From Left to Right: Courtesy Kohls, GOBI Cashmere, Boden, Land's End)

If the first thing you think of when someone says “cardigan sweater” is Mr. Rogers wishing you a beautiful day in the neighborhood, your perspective could use an upgrade. Kurt Cobain wore them, as did Jeff Bridges as the ultimate hipster slacker, Jeff Lebowski. And now Taylor Swift is giving them the ultimate seal-of-cool approval.

It’s about time the cardigan came back. This humble garment possesses uncommon fashion powers:

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a dark red v neck cardigan on a colorful orange and white background

Gobi Cashmere Timeless V-Neck Cardigan

AARP (Courtesy Gobi Cashmere)

It transcends the seasons

A light- or medium-weight cashmere cardigan, such as the J.Crew Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan ($168, jcrew.com ), Gobi Timeless Cashmere V-Neck Cardigan ($158, us.gobicashmere.com) or Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan ($880, quince.com ) can be worn year-round. Layer it over a shirt or under a jacket in the fall or winter. Drape it over your shoulders when spring or summer weather is changeablec—cor when the AC may be blasting.

a brown and white striped fitted cardigan on a background with lavender and orange shapes

Land's End Fine Gauge Cotton Cardigan Sweater

AARP (Courtesy Land's End)

It goes with everything

A classic, flat-knit, button-front style such as the Lands’ End Women’s Fine Gauge Cotton Crew Cardigan Sweater ($75, landsend.com ) or Aaron Levine X Zara 100% Silk Lightweight Cardigan ($129, zara.com ) can be casual, corporate or dressy depending on how you style it. It can go to the gym with joggers and a tee, to a meeting with a shirt and trousers or a blouse and pencil skirt, to a cocktail party or dinner when worn with a shirt and tie, or over a dress. It’s the ultimate multitasker.

an oversized open front cardigan in soft purple on a background with lavender and orange shapes

Kohls Elios Plus Size Open Front Long Ribbed Sleeve Waffle Cardigan

AARP (Courtesy Kohls)

It can reset your proportions

A long cardigan such as the Kohl’s Ellos Plus Size Open Front Long Ribbed Sleeve Waffle Cardigan ($46, kohls.com ) or Quince Mongolian Cashmere Duster Cardigan ($110, quince.com) is a comfortable alternative to a blazer, and, likewise, it covers your bum. Wearing one belted can define a woman’s waist.

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Cropped or waist-length men’s styles such as the Everlane Cropped Cardigan in Everyday Cotton ($118, everlane.com) or Ann Taylor Open Crop Cardigan ($59, anntaylor.com) put the focus on your upper body, visually elongating your lower half, which makes them a good choice for those who are short-waisted or short of stature.

a stack of three folded sweaters in pastel colors on a background with orange, lavender and white shapes

Cardigans are the ideal travel companion.

AARP (Getty)

It’s the ideal travel companion

Your airport outfit should always include a cardigan. It’s comfortable, it doesn’t wrinkle, and you can always roll it up to make a neck pillow. Once you disembark, you can pair it with almost everything in your carry-on.

a cable knit button front cardigan in ivory over a background with lavender and orange shapes

LL Bean Womens Signature Fisherman Sweater

AARP (Courtesy LL Bean)

It can give you a warm hug

Chunky or textured cardis such as the Pendleton Men’s “the Dude” Original Westerley Cardigan ($275, nordstrom.com), L.L. Bean Women’s Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweater ($140, llbean.com) or Dwellite Men Cardigan Sweater Comfy Waffle Relaxed Long Sleeve Classic ($20, walmart.com) give off a more cozy, casual vibe — perfect for fall hikes, sporting events, shopping excursions, lunch dates — when paired with jeans, chinos or cords.

a bright green button front cardigan with pockets over a background with lavender and orange shapes

Boden Womens Lucy Chunky Cotton Cardigan

AARP (Courtesy Boden)

Or add pizzazz to your look

The late, world-renowned artist David Hockney knew a thing or two about the impact of color. His famous pool paintings were saturated in the bright sunlit shades of L.A. One of his signature wardrobe elements was a vivid cardigan — a look at once tried-and-true, youthful and exuberant. A celebratory expression of his personal style! Why not let a vibrant cardigan, such as the Boden Lucy Chunky Cotton Cardigan ($140, boden.com ) or Joseph Turner Lambswool Cardigan ($270, josephturneruk.com ), become yours?

Cindy Weber-Cleary is a freelance writer, consultant and on-air fashion expert who has appeared on Oprah, The View, Good Morning America and the Today show. She began her career as a fashion editor at Vogue and was fashion director at InStyle, Glamour and Cosmopolitan.

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