Marc Jacobs Claire Sweater

Temperatures have steadily been dropping, but most days, it’s still not quite cold enough for a coat. Sure, when it’s rainy, there’s always a trench coat, but when it’s sunny but chilly, I don’t want to be bogged down with a coat, but I still need a little extra warmth. Luckily, there’s an in-between option—the cardigan! I’ve always loved cardigans. They’re a classic that never goes out of style, although it has been updated quite a bit over the years. It’s not just utilitarian, and it doesn’t have to be worn just for keeping warm in the cool fall air. A cardigan can be a great addition to your ensemble. Just look at Michelle Obama. She’s become known for her cardigans, which she often pairs with chunky belts. The media likes to make a big deal over her expensive sneakers, or the fact that she changes clothes on Air Force One, but whatever. I think she’s the most stylish First Lady since Jackie Kennedy. Certainly more stylish than Hillary Clinton, who still doesn’t seem to have it together. You’d think she could afford a stylist, or at least a personal shopper who could choose her wardrobe. The woman needs help. Anyway, I went looking for a couple of new cardigans to add to my closet, and found some winners, especially this Marc by Marc Jacobs Claire Sweater.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the Claire is available in one of this fall’s trendy colors—teal. It’s a nice twist on the usual fall blues, like navy. The material is also updated. It’s not wool, or plain cotton. It’s a 70/30 cotton/silk blend, so it will feel smooth and soft next to your skin, and also drape really well if you don’t cinch it with a belt. It’s fitted for a feminine silhouette, and has ribbed detailing on the arms, lapels, shoulders, and down the back. It’s also available in a deep plum color. The only thing I don’t like is the gold tone buttons. I think they detract from the sweater instead of adding a nice detail to it. They’re a little too large to be gold. It’s a bit Wal-Marty, but it kind of doesn’t surprise me coming from Marc Jacobs. Some of his stuff is a little on the garish side. Still, I like the color and lines of this sweater, and if you really wanted to, or if you were more talented with a needle and thread than I am, you could always change the buttons to something more appropriate. Take on that project for $198 at Piperlime.com.

Budget Saving Alternatives

I’ll be honest, I’m not very familiar with the Nic & Zoe brand, but after seeing this awesome Knotty Edge Cardy sweater, I’ll be on the lookout for more from them. I love this! It’s also teal, but in a lighter shade, and it’s a bit shorter than the Claire, which might not work for everyone. If your hips are a little on the wide side, you don’t want to wear something that hits them at their widest point, so take that into consideration before buying this, or any cardigan at this length. On the other hand, if you like the hourglass look, the ribbing at the waist is slimming, so it all depends on the look you’re going for. Bow-shaped knots line the lapels and loop around the neck. The Knotty Edge has a single button with loop closure, also adding to the slimming illusion. Because it’s a cotton/synthetic blend, it can be hand washed unlike the Clair, which must be dry cleaned, so it’ll save you a little money there as well. Nic & Zoe need to work on their color names, though. This color is called Aquarius, which is ok, but it’s also available in “petrol,” which is basically brown. I’d rather not wear clothing that reminds me of an oil spill, thanks. Either way you decide to go, it’s $124 at Zappos.com.

I think everyone should also have at least one basic black cardigan in the closet. You need something you can just throw on at a moment’s notice, no matter what you’re wearing, and know that it won’t clash but will keep you toasty warm. The O’Neill Infinity cardigan fits the bill. It’s also very lightweight, so it’s perfect for those fall days that are a little on the chilly side, but it’s still warm in the sun, so you can stay comfortable no matter where you are. The Infinity is an open sweater, which makes it a great option to go under a belt since there are no buttons to get in the way. It also has a nice ruching down the center of the back, so it’s anything but a plain black sweater. It’s also one hundred percent viscose, so it’s machine washable and dryer safe—no dry cleaning bills, no waiting three days for the sweater to dry! I can see this over a plain white T-shirt with dark skinny jeans and a great pair of flats, maybe like these. Try it out for just $50 at Zappos.com.