Wear it Open, Wear it Closed—Either Way, You’re Going to Want a Cardigan Dress For Fall

Once the first crispy day of fall hits, there’s no such thing as too much knitwear. Which is why cardigan dresses (also called button-up sweater dresses or maxi cardigans) are the perfect way to pile on the wool and cashmere. Lightweight iterations are thin enough to style with your early-season staples, while come cold weather, heavier styles can replace your go-to coat altogether.

 At Blumarine, a furry-collared cardigan was the vintage-inspired iteration that would look perfectly cool in any modern wardrobe. Meanwhile, at 3.1 Phillip Lim, a thin, striped cardigan dress is used as a bottom layer under a chunkier cropped knit. But, not every option comes in a neutral hue (though there are plenty of styles that do). For something more playful, Altuzarra’s red iteration is still polished enough for the office. Or, the pop of purple from Christopher Esber will play nicely with whatever fall tones you may weave into your look. 

Dress them up or down; a knitted cardigan dress can be styled with your favorite fall boots, clogs, and even Birkenstocks. And don’t forget, they can still be used as an actual cardigan, layered over a collared shirt or another dress too. Plus, they make for easy packing during upcoming fall getaways.

Ahead, shop 24 knitted cardigan dresses to wear throughout the fall season.