7 For All Mankind Cotton Cashmere Cardigan

So you’re getting ready to go out and do some holiday shopping. You’re all dressed, you’ve got your comfy flats on, you’re carrying your roomy handbag, and right before you walk out the door, you bundle up in your big, bulky, heavy, wool coat, right? Wrong! Step away from the bulky coat! Let’s think about this for a minute. Unless you’re going to an outdoor shopping center, box stores, or outlet mall, the only time you’re going to be outside if walking from the house to the car, and from the car to the mall. Once you get inside where it’s nice and warm, you aren’t going to want to wear that coat or you’ll be sweating like a pig. Sure, you can take your coat off, but then you have to carry it, and as roomy as that handbag may be, it’s not big enough for all your stuff plus a heavy wool coat. Yeah, some malls have coat check service or little lockers you can rent while you shop, but you’ll be lucky if you can get one since everyone’s going to be using them, and really, paying to stuff your coat into a little locker? Come on. No, you need to be smarter than everyone else. Unless you live in Boston where it gets to be 12 below and it hurts just to breathe outside, leave the heavy coat at home and dress in a few layers. A tank or camisole, a long-sleeved cotton tee or turtleneck, and a cardigan should be more than enough to keep you warm between the parking lot and the shopping destination. Throw on a scarf for your neck, and you’re set. And if you get too warm once you’re inside, you should be able to stuff that sweater into your bag while you shop. It’s a brilliant plan, if I do say so myself—and I do. So what kind of cardigan? Synthetic fabric can be too warm because it doesn’t breathe, so go for natural fibers, like the cotton and cashmere in this 7 For All Mankind cardigan.

The mere fact that the cardigan contains cashmere should tell you just how soft it is. Blending it with cotton keeps the price down some. You know what one hundred percent cashmere sweaters go for, right? Yeah, that thing better do the dishes and double as a boyfriend for what it will cost. You can imagine that one any way you want to. Anyway, this 7 FAM cardigan drapes beautifully, and I love the ribbed detailing on the collar, front, and sleeves. It’s roomy enough to wear as a top layer, but has slender lines so it doesn’t look like a grandma sweater. It’s 30 inches long, so it’s also good for slimming the hips if that’s a concern. It’s only available in this color, titanium, but it’s a great neutral to go with just about anything you put under it. Check it out for $325 at Zappos.com.

Budget Saving Alternatives

Ok, so the days are already getting gray and dreary, so you may not want to emulate that mood in your clothing. Getting through the holidays can be stressful enough without dressing like you’re going to a funeral. Lighten things up with this Laurie B Almost a Sweater Regent Cardigan. Now, what color do you think this sweater is? Off white? Beige? Cream? Ecru? Any of those will work, even ecru, to describe the light color of this sweater. What does Laurie B call it? Crumpet. What the what?! Crumpet? Really? So if you’re talking to someone, describing to them the fabulous new sweater you just bought after reading about it on StyleCynics, are you really going to say, “And it’s a gorgeous shade of crumpet!”? No, I didn’t think so. When did color names get so stupid? Next, I want a sweater that’s either cupcake or cookie. What colors do I mean? I have no freaking idea. So when you’re telling someone about this awesome sweater you saw here, just say off white or cream, ok? This cardigan also has some cashmere in it, along with rayon and nylon. The cashmere will add softness and breathability, while the synthetics will keep it from wrinkling when you stuff it in your handbag, or pack it in a weekender bag when you go to visit family over the holidays. I love how it drapes in the front, and the shawl collar is very chic. The sleeves are ribbed and have a folded cuff. It’s the kind of sweater you can wrap yourself up in and be perfectly toasty. It’s $194 at Piperlime.com.

Now, if you really want to get away from the dreary, drab, wintry colors, go for something a little more eye-popping like this BCBG Max Azria Cardi-Wrap in amethyst. It’s a beautiful jewel tone, sure to stand out in the crowd of black, gray, and white sweaters and coats that will be swarming through the malls. I think it’s also a better deal than the Laurie B cardigan—it’s less expensive, but is made completely from natural, luxurious fibers. It’s a blend of 85 percent silk, and 15 percent cashmere. You won’t want to take it off. You may not even want to wear anything under it to let that silky soft fabric caress your skin. Just remember it’s an open cardigan that doesn’t button, so unless you want to get arrested and spend some time in a cell with a few drunk Santas, wear a shell underneath. It’s long-sleeved, and also drapes in the front for a relaxed but stylish look. It will go great with either jeans or slacks, and it’s available in black if you prefer. Try it out for $184 at Zappos.com.