Affordable Fall Sweaters and Cardigans You Will Wear on Repeat

The cardigan is having a second act

After a long run of cropped everything, the cardigan is back as the layer people reach for first, and the best fall sweaters this season are the ones with a button front. The ribbed pointelle from Everlane and the oatmeal Raddix from Nanushka are slim and soft, while the Maddie from Loeffler Randall brings a heathered, lived-in texture. The Thatcher from Jenni Kayne has a crew neckline that sits well under a coat. Wear one open over a slip dress or buttoned up as a top, and it reads as a decision rather than a leftover. What I would skip: anything so thin it clings and pills by November.

Pointelle Rib Cardigan | Deep Taupe

Everlane

$78

Raddix - Overwashed Merino Cardigan - Oatmeal

Nanushka

$110

Maddie Cardigan

Loeffler Randall

$295

Thatcher Crewneck Cardigan

Jenni Kayne

$395

Crewnecks and V-necks that do the quiet work

A good fall sweater is the one you stop thinking about, which is why the plain crew and the V-neck matter more than anything with a pattern. The Everlane boxy V-neck in navy and the shrunken crew in heathered charcoal are cut for layering over a collared shirt, and the Dree V-neck from Jenni Kayne does the same in a softer drape. Staud's Hale sweater adds texture for the days you want a little more going on. Try the shirt-collar test: if the neckline lets a collar sit flat, it will earn its place. What I would skip: a neckline so deep it needs a camisole to work.

Boxy V-Neck Sweater in Everyday Cotton | Navy

Everlane

$98

Shrunken Crew Sweater in Everyday Cotton | Heathered Charcoal

Everlane

$108

Dree V-Neck Sweater

Jenni Kayne

$295

Hale Sweater | Ivory

Staud

$295

Cashmere for the cold-weather rotation

Cashmere is where a sweater stops being an outfit and becomes a habit. The Naadam oversized crewneck and quarter-button style are roomy enough to layer without bulk, and the two Jenni Kayne turtlenecks are the clean, close option for under a blazer. If you want to start somewhere, fall scarves are the natural next layer, since a scarf over a cashmere knit is the easiest way to change a look on a cold morning. Fold, never hang, and the knit will keep its shape for years. What I would skip: a cashmere you will be afraid to wear.

Luxe Cashmere Oversized Crewneck Sweater

Naadam

$298

Super Luxe Cashmere Quarter Button Down Sweater

Naadam

$298

Flynn Cashmere Turtleneck

Jenni Kayne

$365

Linden Turtleneck

Jenni Kayne

$285

The one you will reach for on Monday

Buy for the sleeve, the neckline and a fabric that survives a commute. The sweater picked on those terms tends to be the one that never makes it to the back of the drawer.

Next read

Fall Loafers and Mules: The Flat Shoes Worth Buying Now

Fall loafers and mules have taken over from the office pump and the weekend sneaker. They are flat, they are dressed, and they go with wide trousers and a long skirt. This edit picks the leather, suede and velvet styles that look good with everything.

Read Editorial

Apres Ski Outfits: Chunky Knits, Sherpa Layers and Cozy Boots

Everything you want to wear after the last run, from fair isle sweaters to snow boots.

What to Wear to a Fall Rehearsal Dinner

What to wear to a fall rehearsal dinner: a satin or velvet midi or maxi dress with a sharp jacket or sculptural bag. I pick dresses with evening texture, outer layers that count as part of the outfit, and polished shoes.

Black and Gold Outfits to Try This Fall

Black and gold is the most glamorous pairing of fall, and the easiest to overdo. These five outfits put black wool, lace, plissé and suede with gold hoops, shells, mules and a metallic clutch. Keep the black plain and the gold to a few places.

Red and Black Outfits to Try This Fall

Red and black outfits work best when black does most of the work and red gets one or two pieces in satin, suede or patent. I pair five looks, from a red cardigan with vinyl flares to a red halter dress under a croc coat.

Burgundy and Black Outfits to Try This Fall

A burgundy and black outfit works best when black takes most of the space and burgundy gets one or two pieces in a visible texture. I put together five, from a burgundy blazer over all black to a patent skirt with a zip cardigan.

Burgundy and Chocolate Brown Outfits to Try This Fall

Burgundy and chocolate brown is the richest-looking pairing of fall, two dark colors from the same warm family. These five outfits put burgundy leather, knits, jersey and ruffles with brown denim, cashmere, alpaca and suede. Keep chocolate brown and burgundy both dark, and mix the textures.

Fall Loafers and Mules: The Flat Shoes Worth Buying Now

Fall loafers and mules have taken over from the office pump and the weekend sneaker. They are flat, they are dressed, and they go with wide trousers and a long skirt. This edit picks the leather, suede and velvet styles that look good with everything.

Read Editorial

Apres Ski Outfits: Chunky Knits, Sherpa Layers and Cozy Boots

Everything you want to wear after the last run, from fair isle sweaters to snow boots.

What to Wear to a Fall Rehearsal Dinner

What to wear to a fall rehearsal dinner: a satin or velvet midi or maxi dress with a sharp jacket or sculptural bag. I pick dresses with evening texture, outer layers that count as part of the outfit, and polished shoes.

Black and Gold Outfits to Try This Fall

Black and gold is the most glamorous pairing of fall, and the easiest to overdo. These five outfits put black wool, lace, plissé and suede with gold hoops, shells, mules and a metallic clutch. Keep the black plain and the gold to a few places.

Red and Black Outfits to Try This Fall

Red and black outfits work best when black does most of the work and red gets one or two pieces in satin, suede or patent. I pair five looks, from a red cardigan with vinyl flares to a red halter dress under a croc coat.

Burgundy and Black Outfits to Try This Fall

A burgundy and black outfit works best when black takes most of the space and burgundy gets one or two pieces in a visible texture. I put together five, from a burgundy blazer over all black to a patent skirt with a zip cardigan.

Burgundy and Chocolate Brown Outfits to Try This Fall

Burgundy and chocolate brown is the richest-looking pairing of fall, two dark colors from the same warm family. These five outfits put burgundy leather, knits, jersey and ruffles with brown denim, cashmere, alpaca and suede. Keep chocolate brown and burgundy both dark, and mix the textures.