annashay 
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
It’s been too long since we’ve gone on a Hunt for everyone’s favorite topper — the jardigan / sweater jacket / knit blazer. Part of the problem with this lovely third piece is that stores never quite know what to call it, or where to put it. Some stores put these items with the blazers; others put them with the sweaters. (The answer, dear retailers, is PUT THEM IN ALL OF THEM, but apparently that is not the common practice.)
The other problem is the name — should they be called sweater jackets? Knit jackets? Sweater blazers? Knit blazers? Jacket cardigans? Jardigans?
For the sake of argument, let’s call it a sweater jacket….
What Are Sweater Jackets?
For definitional purposes, this piece should…
- be able to be swapped for either a blazer or a cardigan in your wardrobe
- not have interior lining or stitching that might inhibit the comfort of wearing it
- be made from a substantial enough fabric that it has a bit of a structure on its own, but not be so thick (tweed, boiled wool) that it’s a boxy mess, or be so insubstantial that it’s gauzy
- be made from a fabric that feels more like a sweater (even if tightly knit) and less like a ponte, scuba, or twill
- (possibly) have more blazer-like details (patch pockets, shawl collars, a relatively substantial knit)
- not be a coatigan, duster, or kimono
Are Sweater Jackets Different Than Lady Jackets?
My sense is that the “sweater lady jacket” or “lady sweater jacket” is a mash up of two things: the lady jacket, which I tend to associate as being a boxy, cropped third piece — think Chanel — and the sweater jackets like the ones we’re rounding up here. Sometimes they also look like cardigans with a bit more heft.
Work Outfit Ideas with Sweater Jackets
Sweater jackets can serve two important purposes in your work outfits: they can make casual outfits more polished, and they can make stuffy, conservative outfits look more approachable and casual.
For example: an outfit of dark rinse denim, T-shirt, and sneakers can seem like it’s on the extreme casual side of “business casual” — but if you throw on a sweater jacket you’re adding some structure, as well as warmth. (You may want to swap those sneakers for loafers or boots to make the outfit even more polished, or swap the dark rinse denim for some comfortable but polished pull-on pants.)
On the flip side, let’s say you’re moving from a conservative law firm to a business casual position in-house. Your wardrobe may consist of conservative, structured clothes like sheath dresses, blouses, trousers, and more. You can still wear them with a nice blazer — but if you put on a sweater blazer instead, it makes the entire outfit feel a bit more casual.
One particular outfit idea that works with business casual as well as conservative offices: mixing a few colors of neutrals. For example, a navy sweater jacket, olive pants, and a black T-shirt or blouse. Or, a navy pair of pants (or jeans), a bright white T-shirt or blouse, and a cream/ivory/beige sweater jacket.
{related: do check out our regularly updated list of wardrobe essentials for work!}
Favorites and Bestsellers: The Best Sweater Jackets for the Office
The Best Lady Sweater Jackets
Some of our latest favorite lady jackets for work include sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the budget side of things, check out Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. If you prefer a lined, more Chanel-style jacket for work, do take a look at IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell often have them at budget-friendly prices.
Our Latest Favorite Sweater Jackets for Plus Sizes
Similarly, there are some plus-size sweater jackets that have been around for years and are always bestsellers…
{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
A Closer Look at Some of the Bestselling Sweater Jackets for the Office
J.Crew Factory Sweater Blazer
I know readers have sung the praises of J.Crew Factory’s stylish sweater jackets for a few years now — and I’ve always liked the look of this structured schoolboy sweater blazer (pictured).
They have it in several colors right now in sizes XXS-3X and XXSP-XLP. NICE. (They also have another looser, more oversized sweater jacket, which also looks really modern!)
(Pro tip: they also have some of the best prices and selection for lady sweater jackets!)
{related: the best blazers for women this year}
J.Crew Sweater Lady Jacket
J.Crew has a pretty wide selection of sweater jackets (with many available up to size 3X!), although I would argue that the new, longer style looks more like a coat (or everyone’s dreaded look, the robe)… but maybe that’s me.
The Emilie is the style that has been around for several years; they also have a much more relaxed oversized sweater jacket still in stock from a year or two ago. J.Crew’s been moving more towards sweater lady jackets, which have a bit of a cropped, boxy look, and a thicker weave than a lot of the other sweater jackets pictured here.
Try this one with fit and flare dresses, as well as with wide leg trousers — but skip the bare midriff for the office.
It’s available in several colors and patterns for just over $200 full price, available in sizes XXXS-3X.
{related: where to find Chanel-style jackets for work}
Quince
Quince’s knit blazer has been around for a few years, and they keep expanding the offerings in terms of color and more.
They currently offer 10 colors in sizes XS-XL; the blazer is usually priced at $69.90.
Modern Citizen
If you’re looking to elevate your look, consider this cotton-wool version from Modern Citizen. The architectural sleeves and slightly cinched waist provide something a little more exciting than your basic silhouette, and the cotton-wool blend looks like the perfect weight. Make it your new back-of-the chair go-to or save it for a special occasion.
The sweater is $168 at Modern Citizen and comes in sizes XS-1X. It’s also available in buckwheat and gray.
Summersalt Ribbed Sweater Blazer
This ribbed sweater version from Summersalt has been around for a few years now and looks great — it’s available in four colors (pictured: olive), in sizes XS-2X, for $125.
{related: how to wear a blazer with something other than a suit}
L’Agence Lacey Knit Blazer
Leave it to L’Agence to create the perfect knit blazer. We’ve sung the praises of L’Agence blazers for years, but this is the first time I’ve noticed their gorgeous knit versions. The knit looks luxurious and the silhouette doesn’t veer into boxy territory like a lot of the knit blazers I’ve seen.
The Lacey knit blazer is available in sizes XS-XL for $425 at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Amazon, and L’Agence.
(I’m not sure how long they’ll have it, but do take a look at this relatively similar option from Ann Taylor.)
{related: investment/statement blazers}
M.M.LaFleur’S Jardigan
And of course, you can’t have a roundup without the O.G. jardigans — the M.M.LaFleur Woolf and Sant Ambroeus. They’ve always been huge hits with readers, and the whole sweater jacket trend seemed to originate there.
They’ve expanded their range of work clothes quite a bit over the years, and now offer longer sweater jackets, cropped sweater jackets, and more, as well as the original bestsellers. The Merritt, above, is one of the newer options.
You can find them in 5+ colors at MM.LaFleur (and sometimes at Zappos and Nordstrom!) in sizes XXS-XXL.
(Note that they briefly came in sizes up to 3X, so keep an eye out on resale sites if you’re hunting.)
State of Cotton NYC Beale Blazer
On the pricey side of things, State of Cotton (one of J.Crew’s “brands we love”) has a lovely sweater blazer for $595.
The brand’s website has the pictured sweater jacket in four colors (XS-L), as well as two other contenders: the Merion (more of a lady jacket) and the Sutton (more of a jardigan).
Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan
Jenni Kayne’s homepage notes that they “can’t keep this cardigan in stock,” and I can understand why – I love the structured, sweater jacket-y feel to it, as well as the nipped-in waist and slightly slouchy, wide arms. The wool/cashmere sweater comes in 3 colors for $525, in sizes XS-XXL.
Readers, what are your favorite sweater jackets, jardigans, knit blazers, and more? (How would you define the wardrobe staple?) What do you think is the best sweater jacket for the office?
Other Favorite JACKETS AND Blazers to Wear as Separates
The Best Blazers
The Best Sweater Lady Jackets
Some of our latest favorite lady jackets for work include sweater jackets from ba&sh and J.Crew. On the budget side of things, check out Mango, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), and CeCe. If you prefer a lined, more Chanel-style jacket for work, do take a look at IRO and L’Agence; Mango, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell often have them at budget-friendly prices.
The Best Chanel-Style Jackets
Some of our latest favorite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2025 include these, but in general check more jacket-y options like Chanel, IRO, L’Agence, and Veronica Beard, as well as more sweater-y options like St. John, and ba&sh. J.Crew and Nic & Zoe offer a bunch of both kinds, in regular and plus sizes. On the budget side of things, check out CeCe, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), J.Crew Factory, and Mango. (Also check out our roundup of the best lady jackets for work!) Nordstrom has a bunch in all price points!
The Best Cardigans
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
