Certain, 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 seek out precisely the best 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, expensive 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….
Pictured on dwelling web page: white / purple / darkish inexperienced (nice sale!).
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 created from a considerable sufficient material 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 created from a material 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 Totally different Than Woman Jackets?
My sense is that the “sweater lady jacket” or “lady sweater jacket” is a mash up of two issues: the woman 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. Typically in addition 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, they usually 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 facet of “business casual” — however in case you throw on a sweater jacket you are including some construction, in addition to heat. (You might need 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 facet, as an instance 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 possibly can nonetheless put on them with a pleasant blazer — however in case you placed on a sweater blazer as an alternative, it makes the complete outfit really feel a bit extra informal.
One specific outfit concept that works with enterprise informal in addition to conservative workplaces: mixing a couple 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 take a look at our recurrently up to date checklist of wardrobe necessities for work!}
Favorites and Bestsellers: The Greatest Sweater Jackets for the Workplace
The Greatest Woman Sweater Jackets
A few of our newest favourite girl jackets for work embrace sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the finances facet of issues, take a look at Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. If you happen to favor a lined, extra Chanel-style jacket for work, do check out IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Manufacturing unit, 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 number of the Bestselling Sweater Jackets for the Workplace
J.Crew Manufacturing unit Sweater Blazer
I do know readers have sung the praises of J.Crew Manufacturing unit’s trendy sweater jackets for a couple 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 seems to be actually trendy!)
(Professional tip: in addition they have among the finest costs and choice for girl sweater jackets!)
{associated: the very best blazers for girls this yr}
J.Crew Sweater Woman Jacket
J.Crew has a reasonably extensive number of sweater jackets (with many obtainable as much as measurement 3X!), though I might argue that the brand new, longer type seems to be 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; in addition they have a way more relaxed outsized sweater jacket nonetheless in inventory from a yr or two in the past. J.Crew’s been shifting extra in the direction of sweater girl jackets, which have a little bit of a cropped, boxy look, and a thicker weave than a whole lot of the opposite sweater jackets pictured right here.
Do this one with match and flare attire, in addition to with extensive leg trousers — however skip the naked midriff for the workplace.
It is obtainable in a number of colours and patterns for simply over $200 full worth, obtainable in sizes XXXS-3X.
{associated: the place to seek out Chanel-style jackets for work}
Quince
Quince’s knit blazer has been round for a couple of years, they usually maintain increasing the choices when it comes to colour and extra.
They at the moment supply 10 colours in sizes XS-XL; the blazer is normally priced at $69.90.
Trendy Citizen
If you happen to’re seeking to elevate your look, take into account this cotton-wool model from Trendy Citizen. The architectural sleeves and barely cinched waist present one thing a bit extra thrilling than your fundamental silhouette, and the cotton-wool mix seems to be like the proper weight. Make it your new back-of-the chair go-to or put it aside for a special day.
The sweater is $168 at Trendy Citizen and is available in sizes XS-1X. It’s additionally obtainable in buckwheat and grey.
Summersalt Ribbed Sweater Blazer
This ribbed sweater model from Summersalt has been round for a couple of years now and appears nice — it is obtainable in 4 colours (pictured: olive), in sizes XS-2X, for $125.
{associated: put on a blazer with one thing aside from a go well with}
L’Agence Lacey Knit Blazer
Depart it to L’Agence to create the excellent knit blazer. We’ve sung the praises of L’Agence blazers for years, however that is the primary time I’ve observed their beautiful knit variations. The knit seems to be luxurious and the silhouette doesn’t veer into boxy territory like a whole lot of the knit blazers I’ve seen.
The Lacey knit blazer is obtainable in sizes XS-XL for $425 at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Amazon, and L’Agence.
(I am unsure how lengthy they’re going to have it, however do check out this comparatively comparable choice from Ann Taylor.)
{associated: funding/assertion blazers}
M.M.LaFleur Woolf 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 enormous hits with readers, and the entire sweater jacket pattern appeared to originate there.
They’ve expanded their vary of labor garments fairly a bit over time, and now supply longer sweater jackets, cropped sweater jackets, and extra, in addition to the unique bestsellers. The Merritt, above, is without doubt one of the newer choices.
You’ll 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 maintain a watch out on resale websites in case you’re looking.)
State of Cotton NYC Beale Blazer
On the dear facet of issues, State of Cotton (one in every of J.Crew’s “brands 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 “can’t keep this cardigan in stock,” 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, extensive 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 very best sweater jacket for the workplace?
Different Favourite JACKETS AND Blazers to Put on as Separates
The Greatest Blazers
The Greatest Sweater Woman Jackets
A few of our newest favourite girl jackets for work embrace sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the finances facet of issues, take a look at Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. If you happen to favor a lined, extra Chanel-style jacket for work, do check out IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Manufacturing unit, and Madewell usually have them at budget-friendly costs.
The Greatest Chanel-Model Jackets
A few of our newest favourite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2025 embrace these, however on the whole examine 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 supply a bunch of each varieties, in common and plus sizes. On the finances facet of issues, take a look at CeCe, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), J.Crew Manufacturing unit, and Mango. (Additionally take a look at our roundup of the very best girl jackets for work!) Nordstrom has a bunch in all worth factors!
The Greatest Cardigans
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