Style Hunt: Wool-Free Cardigans
When I began the search for knitwear without wool (or other animal fibers), I found so many options I decided to divide and conquer. You can see my picks for pullovers here. This post will feature wool-free cardigans.
Above: Sunglasses | Sweater | Tee | Necklace | Jeans | Bag | Boots
As with pullovers, I’ve looked for styles with primarily silk and/or plant-based fibers, either cotton or other cellulose-based synthetics (Tencel, viscose).
Wool-Free Cardigans
Starting off with something simple, I’ve long been a fan of Eileen Fisher’s silk-cotton interlock fabric. The fabric itself has nice body and drapes well. Here’s the same style in Plus, offered in two shades of blue.
More silk-cotton interlock styles HERE.
This silk and cotton long cardigan is very well reviewed, and offered in Regular and Petite sizes up to XXL/20.
If you’re a fan of leopard prints, this long cotton-blend cardigan is offered in Misses and Plus sizes. (More sizes here.)
An easy take on the belted cardigan, this one is also on sale.
Another relaxed style with texture, this one has a nice shorter length and is well-reviewed. Also available in Black and Rust, sizes XXS to XL.
Simple, not boring. The contrast piping adds some visual interest to a sleek cardigan. Plus size here.
This one’s reversible, basically doubling your styling options.
Every wardrobe should have one cozy, throw-on-over-anything cardigan. This one’s 100% cotton, and offered in Misses, Petites, and Plus sizes.
Here’s a classic houndstooth that can go from work to weekend. This shorter length is nice to pair with skirts or wider-leg trousers.
More To Choose From…
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Yay! Thank you so much for doing this.
I have yet to find a duster-length cardigan that looks good on me; this year it is difficult to find other options, so thanks for providing at least a few.
I’m also still mulling over how I feel about puffy-sleeved sweaters making a comeback…..
Personally, dusters remind me of bathrobes.
Love the choices but I’m curious as to why you are looking for no wool? Having raised sheep as a child, I know that shearing them is not painful when done properly and they are much more comfortable afterwards.
Hi Diane, I love wool myself, but many of my readers have mentioned that they are allergic or sensitive to it, so I wanted to provide some options for them.
Thank you, Susan. I am sensitive to all wools, including cashmere, alpaca, etc. These articles are godsend.
These are all so pretty, but alas, sooo not warm enough for my climate. Wool or cashmere are the only fibers that keep us warm here in the frozen north. But I would certainly enjoy your choices during the transitional weeks. Thanks, Susan!
I wish somebody would do this search for me with wool free sweaters in Europe. Always trying to find them. Cardigans don’t really suit me and so I am not a fan.
Greetje
Greetje, this might be due to the cultural connotations in some countries. I find cardigans terribly mumsy. Some people, including many US-Americans, may have no such associations. Actually, I have no problem wearing cotton pullovers/pulls/jumpers, but I wear a plain base layer underneath when it is frigid (also good for the deep damp cold in your country, though the temperatures are rarely under -10c).
As someone who also lives in So Cal I really appreciate this kind of research. As much as I love merino and cashmere, they’re just too warm for my climate. I still want cuddly winter sweaters, so silk and cotton blends are my favorites.
I’m in LOVE with that belted cardigan. I have a linen jacket purchased years ago from J.Jill (back when its linen was still good quality) of a similar shape, with a side tie. Both have a bit of Asian influence to my eye. Not sure I can pull off that color, though. :/
L.L.Bean have a number of long cotton cardigans in different colors for those of us who have a very casual life style.. They wash well and hold up for years.
Thank you so much for this post! I’m one of those who start itching on the merest touch of wool or linen. Fortunately our climate in Israel doesn’t require very warm clothes even in winter.
I, too, have an image of certain cardigans as very “little old lady”-ish, especially in twinsets. However the modern long cardis, knit jackets or blazers and “coatdigans” that you show here are nowhere near that image, and I love these looks.
BTW, almost 2 years ago I tried your signature “long over lean” look”, but apparently my hips are not lean enough 🙂 so I felt that the long cardis only added bulk there. I find that short jackets look better with my hourglass shape.