Getting Into the Weave of Our Cold Weather Cardigan Rotation
Thanks in large part to a new-found adoration and staying power of sartorial traditionalism, as well as an heightened appreciation for the finer yet simpler things in life, the wooly and practical staple that is the cardigan is the ultimate knit of 2026.
As we enter the frigid depths of winter, we're once again looking for fitting garments that go up against the elements. As far as those are concerned, barely anything beats cozy knitwear to layer up in during these most frosty days of the year. So, we're knit-picking to find the best on the market.
From the fuzziest of fuzzy, fluffy mohair to distressed cardigans, down below you can find our favorites for the chilly months ahead.
Shop some of the best cardigans on the market below.
Tonywack Black Alpaca Cardigan
Hailing from Seoul, TONYWACK is a name to watch for any minimalists out there. With a collection built around a handful of colors (mainly black, to be honest) it's ideal for anyone looking for luxe foundational pieces. Take this Alpaca cardigan as proof. The hairy fabric brings a sense of whimsy to the understated design which features a neutral jacquard pattern.
Ssstein Mohair Cardigan
Japanese brands are always in the spotlight, and rightfully so, but our current times are a veritable golden era for the country's menswear. Ssstein is one of the most exciting names amongst the burgeoning Japanese class, with pieces like this mohair cardigan typifying what it does so well: wearable luxury pieces with real personality.
Wooyoungmi Blue Leather Label Cardigan
Cardigans, for a long time, were considered the pinnacle of boring wardrobes but with the energy of brands like Wooyoungmi, this unwarranted accolade no longer rings true. Finished with a leather label to the back, this bold blue cardigan brings the drama.
Paloma Wool buttoned cashmere sweater
On first look, this Paloma Wool sweater is a regular grey cashmere staple. And it's not not that, but it's also so much more. Take a closer look to reveal its secrets: it's a crewneck and a cardigan at the same time thanks to some ingenious folding skills on the part of the Paloma Wool design team.
COS Funnel-neck sweatshirt
Quarter zips are having a moment on TikTok, and while the style goes viral and will inevitably fall out of favor shortly, remember that the quarter zip has been a stone-cold staple for longer than you've been alive. This bold iteration from COS features a high funnel neck for a touch of avant-garde energy.
Wooyoungmi Gray Crewneck Cardigan
Little variations go a long way when it comes to classic knitwear. A crewneck, for example. While the standard cardigan features a plunging neckline, a crewneck like the one used on this Wooyoungmi piece can shake things up just enough to refresh a look.
Dries Van Noten Cable-Knit Cardigan
One of the things that the Belgian brand Dries Van Noten excels in is subtly elevating staple pieces. This cardigan is a prime example, produced in 100% wool with a strong cable knit texture, it's a neutral dream in soft beige.
Rier Gray Tyrolean Cardigan
Rier knows how to make a something understated and seriously luxurious. We only need to look as far as the brand's quarter-zip fleece which had the world of fashion in a chokehold in 2025. This Tyrolean Cardigan bides by the same values. It slots into the daily wardrobe effortlessly while touches like mother-of-pearl hardware and its dense knit mark it out as a high-end piece for those in the know.
Jacquemus Green Track Jacket
Proportions are everything here. By cropping the body and ballooning the arms, Jacquemus transforms the humble tracksuit jacket into something much more flattering and sculptural. Executed in a heavy rib knit woven from pure ultrafine merino, this is as cozy as it is elegant.
Stone Island Cashmere Cardigan
Treading the line between outdoor jacket and cardigan is the Stone Island Ghost President's Knit. Italian sportswear icon Stone Island is known for having long perfected the art of knitwear, but this piece goes one step beyond perfection. The pure cashmere knit features a detachable garment-dyed down lining—something you don't see every day.
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