I started noticing really cute cardigans trickle onto my Instagram feed about a year ago. It was a slow progression; about once a month, I'd see one good enough to save in my inspiration folder. After a while though, things snowballed and it seemed like a new style I had to have popped up nearly every day. But, it wasn't until Aritzia's Wilfred Thais Cardigan flashed across my screen that I fell in love enough to actually make it a part of my wardrobe.
Is it weird to be obsessed with a cardigan? Maybe. But I'd argue this one has earned every bit of overzealous love it has received from me. Not only is it just plain cute, it's surprisingly versatile, which is not something I've found myself saying about many other cardigans. It somehow transitions from office attire to a going-out look on Friday to brunch the next morning without missing a beat, making the cost-per-wear of this $138 sweater basically nothing at this point.
And honestly, it just makes everything look better. Paired with jeans and a t-shirt, it's a cozy-but-chic work ensemble that's guaranteed to receive compliments aplenty (trust me, it happens every time I wear it). And thrown on with a silk skirt and mules? It's the perfect almost-sexy-but-not-quite look (because hello, you're wearing a cardigan) to prove to everyone that you didn't put *too* much effort into your outfit but still look amazing.
To prove just how versatile this piece is (yes, even in the summer), I rounded up some of my favorite ways to style it so that you, too, can reap the benefits of its outfit-making power. Ahead, three outfits to inspire you to make this cardigan a permanent part of your outfit rotation, too.
The Office
Since this slouchy sweater is a little more laidback in style, I like to pair it with structured pieces to keep things relatively professional. I love it with these simple Sophie H Bermuda shorts, and to make it even more polished, I add a heel like Toteme's croc-effect mules. Because the sweater has a pretty deep V-neck, I finish by layering a t-shirt underneath.
A Night Out
You never know where a night out will take you (or what the weather will be) which makes this the ideal piece to have on hand. To keep it simple and fuss-free, I like to throw on a slip dress (like Silk Laundry's wonderfully silky option) and heels, and then add the cardigan over my shoulders in case the night turns chilly.
The Weekend
I like to keep my outfits relaxed on the weekends, which makes this cardigan — you guessed it — a perfect option for the occasion. I typically just wear it with baggy Rachel Comey jeans and a pair of simple sandals for a two-second ensemble that still looks put together. And when the temperatures start blazing, I tie the sweater across a tank and swap the jeans for shorts.
