1.     Style – What style cardigan are you looking for?  Do you want a long cardigan or a short cardigan?  If you want a trendy one, how trendy do you want to go?  Remember that if the item is too trendy, then you won’t be able to wear it next year and you may not want to spend too much money on it.  However, if the item is not that trendy and you are looking for something stylish, then you may not wear it and all of that money you spent on the cardigan will go to waste.

2.    Money – How much are you willing to spend?  There are countless choices and the prices range from $50 to more than $1000.  Cashmere is more expensive and a good cashmere cardigan will last you a while so consider your budget.  Normally, for around $200, you will find a great stylish cardigan that you can wear this year and into next year.

3.    Closet – Look through your closet and see what clothes you will match the cardigan with.  This will help you determine if you want one that is colorful or if you just want to buy a black cashmere cardigan that can go with everything.  Also, depending on your style, you will want to buy a cardigan that matches that style.  Don’t buy a short one if everything in your closet is longer and you don’t have many skirts or dresses.  Buy a long cardigan if you’ve got plenty of t-shirts, skinny jeans, and boots to match.

4.    Figure – Look at your figure and make sure you know what type of cardigan will look best on you.  For some people, the long cardigan looks great since it allows them to hide their larger thighs and waist.  For others, a short cardigan may look better since there are a lot of boxier short cardigans that allow them to balance out the skinny jeans and leggings they like to wear underneath.  Whatever your body type, make sure you understand what will look best on you.

After thinking through these things, check out some of the great new cardigans that I’ve found below.

Martin & Osa Long & Lean Cardigan
This is a great cardigan for those looking for something to wear every day.  It matches many items and is really flattering.

Martin + Osa Cardigan

Marc Jacobs Mildred Cashmere Cardigan
This beautiful white cardigan has fine details that make it stand out.  Plus, Marc Jacobs clothes always fall and flatter the body.

Marc Jacobs Cashmere Cardigan

Victoria Secret Silk & Cashmere Chiffon-Trim Long Cardigan
I love this cardigan!  It’s not pure cashmere, but it is so cute and looks great over jeans or any pants.

Victoria Secret Cardigan

Black cashmere cardigan

Neutrals
Colors:  Black, grey, white
Versatility:  High

If you are looking for a cardigan that you can wear everywhere and wear over anything, then go with a neutral color.  Black, grey and white will match everything.  Out of the 3, black is probably the most versatile, although some would argue that white is just as easy to wear over everything.  I say black since it is more understated and also won’t get dirty as easily as a white cardigan.  The white cardigan is great over any summer or spring dresses or any bright color or patterned shirts, but it is also very bright.  Wearing the white cardigan makes you stand out a bit more.  Also, the white cardigan doesn’t work as well over a white t-shirt or the crisp white office shirt, so a black cashmere cardigan ends up being more versatile.  All 3 colors will easily match almost every outfit in your wardrobe since they are so neutral.  Buy one of these colors if you don’t have many cardigans and are looking for something to wear with everything.

Red cashmere cardigan from Burberry

Bold colors
Colors:  Red, Blue, Purple, Green
Versatility:  Medium

The bold color cardigans such as a green or red cashmere cardigan are fantastic for adding a splash of color to your wardrobe.  If you are a person that tends to wear a lot of neutral colors, adding one bold cardigan to your wardrobe is the perfect way to brighten it up without making it too colorful.  These cardigans work best over neutral colors and allow you to stand out a little from the crowd.  If you are trying to get noticed, wear a bold color cardigan such as a cute green cashmere cardigan and you will definitely catch someone’s eye.  The bold colors are great because they are not too splashy or trendy so you can wear this color to the office and out at night.   The drawback to the bold color cardigan is that it can’t be worn everyday or over everything.  The bright color leaves a statement in people’s minds and because of this, you probably can’t wear it to the office more than once a week.

Fuschia cardigan from Vince

Bright colors
Colors:  Fuschia, Orange, Yellow
Versatility:  Medium to Low

If you love to stand out in a crowd, consider a really bright color such as a fuschia cashmere cardigan or a bright yellow cashmere cardigan.  Bright colors are fantastic for people who want to get noticed and continue to get noticed.  The bright colors are harder to match with everything and you have to wear them carefully, but they too work over any neutral colors.  Use these colors to enhance an already colorful wardrobe or to enhance a neutral colored wardrobe.  One splash of this brightens the room and will really get you noticed.  Bright colors tend to be trendier than the bold colors so they tend not to last through many seasons, although you can still wear them if you are confident.  Unlike bold colors that are longer lasting, bright colors are a bit more obnoxious and people will either love that orange cardigan you have or completely hate it.  

Pink cashmere cardigan

Pastels
Colors:  Pink, Baby Blue, Lavender, Mint Green
Versatility:  Medium to High

Pastels are an excellent Spring color to wear.  The pink cashmere cardigan is very feminine and actually matches with a lot of different items, especially if you choose a very light pink that is closer to white.  Other pastel colors such as baby blue or lavender or great over the neutral colors and will also work with some bold colors.  Pastels are much closer to neutral than the bold colors, although they also make a very different statement from the neutral colors.  Pastels signify much more femininity.  Pastels are a much more subtle and understated color so it is less likely that you will get noticed right away, as opposed to a bold color, but the color is so pretty, you will definitely get noticed.