Positive, everyone knows what wardrobe necessities for work skilled ladies are presupposed to have of their closets, however in case 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 suitable incarnation in shops. In “The Hunt,” we search the shops for a fundamental merchandise that each lady 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 frequent follow.)
The opposite drawback is the title — ought to they be referred to 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 to be swapped for both a blazer or a cardigan in your wardrobe
- not have inside lining or stitching which 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 cloth 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 Completely different Than Girl Jackets?
My sense is that the “sweater woman jacket” or “woman sweater jacket” is a mash up of two issues: the girl jacket, which I are inclined to affiliate as being a boxy, cropped third piece — suppose Chanel — and the sweater jackets like those we’re rounding up right here. Generally additionally they appear like cardigans with a bit extra heft.
Work Outfit Concepts with Sweater Jackets
Sweater jackets can serve two vital functions in your work outfits: they will make informal outfits extra polished, and so they could make stuffy, conservative outfits look extra approachable and informal.
For instance: an outfit of darkish rinse denim, T-shirt, and sneakers can appear to be it is on the acute informal aspect of “enterprise informal” — however in case 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 aspect, as an example you are shifting from a conservative regulation agency to a enterprise informal place in-house. Your wardrobe could include conservative, structured garments like sheath attire, blouses, trousers, and extra. You may nonetheless put on them with a pleasant blazer — however in case you placed on a sweater blazer as a substitute, it makes all the outfit really feel a bit extra informal.
One explicit outfit concept that works with enterprise informal in addition to conservative workplaces: mixing a number 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 brilliant white T-shirt or shirt, and a cream/ivory/beige sweater jacket.
{associated: do try our commonly up to date checklist of wardrobe necessities for work!}
Favorites and Bestsellers: The Finest Sweater Jackets for the Workplace
The Finest Girl Sweater Jackets
A few of our newest favourite woman jackets for work embody sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the price range aspect of issues, try Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. Should you desire a lined, extra Chanel-style jacket for work, do check out IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Manufacturing facility, and Madewell usually have them at budget-friendly costs.
Our Newest Favourite Sweater Jackets for Plus Sizes
Equally, there are some plus-size sweater jackets which have been round for years and are at all times bestsellers…
{associated: The Final Information to Enterprise Informal for Girls}
A Nearer Take 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 number of years now — and I’ve at all times 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. (In addition they have one other looser, extra outsized sweater jacket, which additionally appears actually trendy!)
(Professional tip: additionally they have a few of the greatest costs and choice for woman sweater jackets!)
{associated: the most effective blazers for ladies this 12 months}
J.Crew Sweater Girl Jacket
J.Crew has a reasonably large choice of sweater jackets (with many accessible as much as dimension 3X!), though I’d argue that the brand new, longer type appears extra like a coat (or everybody’s dreaded look, the gown)… however perhaps that is me.
The Emilie is the type that has been round for a number of years; additionally 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 shifting extra in direction of sweater woman jackets, which have a little bit of a cropped, boxy look, and a thicker weave than plenty of the opposite sweater jackets pictured right here.
Do this one with match and flare attire, in addition to with large leg trousers — however skip the naked midriff for the workplace.
It is accessible in a number of colours and patterns for simply over $200 full worth, accessible in sizes XXXS-3X.
{associated: the place to search out Chanel-style jackets for work}
Quince
Quince’s knit blazer has been round for a number of years, and so they preserve increasing the choices when it comes to colour and extra.
They presently provide 10 colours in sizes XS-XL; the blazer is normally priced at $69.90.
Fashionable Citizen
Should you’re seeking to elevate your look, take into account this cotton-wool model from Fashionable Citizen. The architectural sleeves and barely cinched waist present one thing a little bit extra thrilling than your fundamental silhouette, and the cotton-wool mix appears 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 Fashionable Citizen and is available in sizes XS-1X. It’s additionally accessible in buckwheat and grey.
Summersalt Ribbed Sweater Blazer
This ribbed sweater model from Summersalt has been round for a number of years now and appears nice — it is accessible in 4 colours (pictured: olive), in sizes XS-2X, for $125.
{associated: methods to put on a blazer with one thing apart from a go well with}
L’Agence Lacey Knit Blazer
Go away it to L’Agence to create the good knit blazer. We’ve sung the praises of L’Agence blazers for years, however that is the primary time I’ve seen their beautiful knit variations. The knit appears luxurious and the silhouette doesn’t veer into boxy territory like plenty 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 undecided how lengthy they’re going to have it, however do check out this comparatively related choice from Ann Taylor.)
{associated: funding/assertion blazers}
M.M.LaFleur’S Jardigan
And naturally, you may’t have a roundup with out the O.G. jardigans — the M.M.LaFleur Woolf and Sant Ambroeus. They’ve at all times been big hits with readers, and the entire sweater jacket development appeared to originate there.
They’ve expanded their vary of labor garments fairly a bit over time, and now provide 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 could find them in 5+ colours at MM.LaFleur (and typically at Zappos and Nordstrom!) in sizes XXS-XXL.
(Word that they briefly got here in sizes as much as 3X, so preserve an eye fixed out on resale websites in case you’re looking.)
State of Cotton NYC Beale Blazer
On the expensive aspect 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 girl 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 really like the structured, sweater jacket-y really feel to it, in addition to the nipped-in waist and barely slouchy, large 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 suppose 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 woman jackets for work embody sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the price range aspect of issues, try Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. Should you desire a lined, extra Chanel-style jacket for work, do check out IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Manufacturing facility, and Madewell usually 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 provide a bunch of each varieties, in common and plus sizes. On the price range aspect of issues, try CeCe, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), J.Crew Manufacturing facility, and Mango. (Additionally try our roundup of the most effective woman jackets for work!) Nordstrom has a bunch in all worth factors!
The Finest Cardigans
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