T&C Tried & True: A Cashmere Cardigan for Every Season

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Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.

Sometimes the best purchases are the ones you least expect. Such is the case with a cashmere cardigan I bought last minute at J.Crew a few years back after I underestimated the weather outside.

Let me explain: It was end of September and the temps had been fluctuating between boiling hot, balmy, and chilly. I was heading for brunch and the Apple weather app reported high 60s for the day, so I opted for a sundress—one of my last few chances to wear one before I packed away my summer wardrobe. About ten minutes into my journey, the regret started to build within me because it was so windy. Goosebump city.

I popped into a nearby J.Crew and grabbed the first sweater I could find, which was the Cashmere Patch-Pocket Cardigan. It was reasonably priced for a spur-of-the-moment purchase and would suffice for the rest of the afternoon's adventures, but little did I know this piece would become one of my most worn staples.

The cashmere cardigan is huggably soft; it feels divine against the skin and keeps the body warm, but not in such a way where little beads of sweat start forming after 20 minutes of wear (something I find all too common with most cashmere sweaters on the market). It's comfortably lightweight and does the trick when there's a chill in the air, and for these reasons, it's the perfect layer for all seasons.

I wear it religiously during the transitional months—a.k.a now—and definitely always reach for it during the dead of winter And while you might be wondering why the heck I am writing about cashmere as we're nearing 70 degree days on the East Coast again, the cardigan gets tons of use during the summer when the AC is on full blast on the subway and in the office building. I love throwing it over my shoulders and wrapping it around my neck for that extra layer of warmth.

A few other details worth noting: It's not heavy in the least—like, sure, it's lofty, but the piece is weightless, which is another reason it makes for such a great year-round topper. It also has a slightly relaxed look to it, which I find pairs well with most outfits, and there are cute mini pockets! Anything with pockets is an immediate yes for me.

Another plus: the cardigan washes wonderfully. J.Crew recommends hand washing it, which some might find annoying, but I usually put it on an extra gentle wash in the washing machine, let it air dry, and it comes out looking good as new. No pilling or pulls, nothing.

I'm not the only fan, either. The cardigan is one of J.Crew's best-sellers and has tons of rave reviews for the same reason. One shopper wrote, "I love the shape of this sweater! It’s loose but not being oversized or too boxy. I got my normal size. I can wear it slightly tucked in or all the way out without feeling sloppy. Love the weight of this cashmere, you can wear it all year round. It's also easy to layer with a jacket for transition seasons. I own it in brown and light blue and haven’t had any issues with pilling or showing wear. Make more colors please!"

Even if you think it might be a tad too late to talk cashmere, take my word: there's no doubt you will wear this piece for seasons to come.

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