CENTER: NIC + ZOE CARDIGAN, ENZA COSTA DRESS, ALL SAINTS BELT

Are you traveling this holiday season? Yes? Lovely! Now, are you going to a warm or a cold place? Ah, trick question, since most trips, given they take you inside and out, include a bit of both. And that’s where the cardigan comes in. I must confess, I love cardigans – for any and all occasions. But it’s for going from uncomfortable airplanes to chilly streets to toasty pubs that cardigans really come into their own.

When you’re in a sweater, no matter how fabulous your Fair Isle or happening your hoodie, you’re sort of stuck. You can’t undo it. And if you take it off, there goes your outfit. Contrast that with a cardi. A) It has buttons allowing for heat regulation. B) It permits you to put a nice tee, dress or thin knit underneath. Get too hot? You can shed a layer and still look fit for public consumption. Phew! Cardigans are commonplace this season, so it should be easy to find one (or many!) that suit your budget and style. Here are a few of the top trends.

1. Cropped

&other stories cardigan NATION LTD TANK; THE REFORMATION JEANS

Designers are feeling inclusive this fall, offering sweater styles that are long, short, voluminous, fitted, bright, neutral, textured and smooth. Let’s start with one of the fresher shapes: the crop. Cropped cardis are the BFFs of high-waisted jeans and skirts. They let you show off your waist, counterbalancing any volume in the sweater itself or in your flowing midi-dress or wide-legged pants. Just beware of super-cropped styles, which are a very youthful and sometimes awkward look. Even when I was a youth and working in TV, I remember being warned off overly cropped outerwear due to it being ‘unflattering.’ (code for: yes, that does make your bum look big). These hip-length cuts from & Other Stories, Bloomies and LNA seem to hit the spot.

2. Oversized

lauren ralph lauren cardigan, nation ltd dress, Isabel marant belt, pedro anton boots

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the oversized option – a recurring theme in autumn outerwear as you may have noticed in tent-like teddy coats and sizeable shearlings. Although six-foot models can look lovely in baggy bottoms with baggy tops, most of us do better with a bit of balance. Cocoon-like cardis are a great way to freshen up skinnies. Or, for that au current combo of day and evening wear, why not pop a casual cardigan over a silky slip dress? Find a not-too-bulky, neutral number like this washable one from Lauren Ralph Lauren or its more affordable equivalent from aqua and you’ve got a piece that will take you from day to night, inside to outside, relaxed to dressy.

3. Belted

ENGLISH FACTORY CARDIGAN, MOTHER JEANS, STUART WEITZMAN BOOTS

Belted blazers have been big this season, so it’s no surprise sweaters have followed suit. Cinched styles feel freshest when there’s something substantial about them like a wide belt, generous sleeve or chunky knit. Even when they’re relaxed in cut, the belt pulls the jumper, and your look, together – making them the ultimate multitasker. This is a style you could wear to the office once (perish the thought!) you’re back in the real world following your trip.

4. Open placket

c by bloomingdales vest, juicy couture shirt

One of the reasons cardigans are so versatile is that they can be a hybrid of two different types of layers. In the case of open placket pieces (ones that lack fastenings), they can sub for a casual jacket. There are shawl-collared versions, robe versions, granddad versions and vest versions (like in this pic), all offering an easy-going, ‘oh, this old thing?’ vibe. If you want more versatility, just pack a belt. Then you’ll have all the benefits of the belted version plus the chance to let it all hang out when the relaxation really kicks in.

What knitwear are you loving this season? Do you have an item you never travel without? Please let us all know with a comment!