A cardigan (kofta) is an upper-body garment that opens at the front—usually knitted, and typically featuring buttons, a zipper, or no closure at all. The simple difference from a sweater is precisely the opening: you pull a sweater over your head, whereas you put on a cardigan like a jacket. It sounds like a detail, but that is why the cardigan is one of the most versatile garments in a wardrobe.
In this guide, we walk through what counts as a cardigan, how it differs from a sweater, which styles and materials are available, how to choose length and fit, and how to style it—plus our current favorites.
Contents
- What is a cardigan?
- Cardigan or sweater – what’s the difference?
- Common cardigan styles
- Materials – what is the cardigan made of?
- Length and fit
- How to style a cardigan
- Quick comparison
- Our current favorites
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
What is a cardigan?
A cardigan is a top with an opening all the way down the front. It is almost always knitted—in wool, cotton, acrylic, or a blend—and has long sleeves. The closure varies: classic buttons, a zipper, a tie, or no closure at all, in which case it is often called an open cardigan.
What makes the cardigan a distinct garment is its function. It is a mid-layer: warmer than a blouse, lighter and softer than a jacket, and easy to take on and off when the temperature changes during the day. Therefore, it works just as well at the office as it does on the sofa at home, or layered over a dress for an autumn party.
Cardigan or sweater – what’s the difference?
Kofta and cardigan are effectively the same thing. "Cardigan" comes from the British Earl of Cardigan, who is said to have worn a knitted, button-front vest-sweater in the 19th century. In Swedish, we most often use the word "kofta," while "cardigan" is used more in shops and fashion texts—especially regarding thinner, more stylish models.
A sweater (tröja) has no opening at the front. You pull it over your head, and it therefore sits snugly around your body. A knitted sweater is usually slightly warmer than a cardigan in the same yarn, as no heat escapes through the front, but it is also harder to layer. If you want to read more about sweaters, we have a separate guide on knitted sweaters for women.
A simple memory trick: if you can unbutton it, it's a cardigan.
Common cardigan styles
- Cropped cardigan – ends at the waist or just above. Lifts your proportions and is perfect over dresses with a defined waist, like this soft knitted cardigan with a V-neck and buttons.
- Long cardigan – reaches the hip, thigh, or down to the knee. Works almost like a thin coat indoors and on mild autumn days.
- Open cardigan – lacks buttons and hangs straight down. Light and relaxed, for example an open cardigan in popcorn yarn.
- Cardigan with zipper – sportier and a bit more jacket-like, such as Emma's knitted cardigan with a zipper.
- Crocheted cardigan – airier structure that lets light and air through; a nice layer over a solid-colored top, like the crocheted cardigan with long sleeves.
Materials – what is the cardigan made of?
The material determines both the warmth and how the cardigan ages:
- Wool provides warmth even when slightly damp and is breathable. Merino is softest against the skin.
- Cotton is cool and easy to care for—a good choice for spring and early autumn.
- Acrylic and polyester are light, colorfast, and lower in cost, but breathe less well than natural fibers.
- Blended yarns combine the softness of wool with the durability of synthetics and are often the most practical choice for everyday wear.
Regardless of material: wash gently and dry flat, and the cardigan will retain its shape. Read more in our guide on how to wash knitwear and how to avoid pilling on knitwear.
Length and fit
A good rule of thumb is that the cardigan should end where you want the eye to focus. A cropped cardigan highlights the waist and makes the legs look longer. A cardigan that ends at the mid-hip balances wide hips. A long cardigan creates a long, straight line that stretches out the entire silhouette.
If you want it as a cozy garment, you can go up a size for a looser, oversized fit—but check that the shoulder seam doesn't fall too far down the arm if you intend to wear it buttoned to work. If you need help with measurements, see our size guide for women.
How to style a cardigan
- For work: a thin, buttoned cardigan over a blouse or camisole, with straight-leg trousers.
- Over a dress: a cropped cardigan over a midi dress—more tips can be found in our guide cardigan with a dress.
- Everyday: a long cardigan, white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
- Layered under a jacket: a cardigan instead of a thicker sweater allows you to adjust to the weather throughout the day—see our guide to layering.
Wondering what to combine it with in terms of color and garments? Read what goes with a cardigan.
Quick comparison
| Garment | Opening | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cardigan | Full length at front (buttons, zipper, or open) | Mid-layer, over dress, office |
| Sweater | None – pulled over the head | Cold days, maximum warmth |
| Vest | Often at the front, sleeveless | Over shirt or blouse |
Our current favorites
Three cardigans that demonstrate our range—cropped, long, and oversized:
- Sophie | Cropped knitted cardigan with puff sleeves and V-neck – cropped model with buttons that lifts the waist, looks great over both jeans and dresses.
- Mia | Long knitted cardigan with hood – cable-knit and long, almost like a thin coat on a mild autumn day.
- Sophia | Soft oversized cardigan – long and cozy with pockets, for days when comfort comes first.
The denim jacket is the garment that works nine months a year: over a dress in late summer, under a coat when it gets cold, and over a knitted sweater in between. The fit across the shoulders and the length relative to the waist determine how easy it is to combine. More on styles and styling can be found in our women's denim jacket guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cardigan?
A cardigan is a top, usually knitted, that opens at the front and closes with buttons, a zipper, or not at all. It is worn as a mid-layer over a top, blouse, or dress.
Is a cardigan a sweater?
While both are knitwear, a sweater is pulled over the head and has no opening, whereas a cardigan opens at the front.
Can you wear a cardigan to work?
Absolutely. A thin, buttoned cardigan in a solid-colored knit over a blouse works in most workplaces, even with a business casual dress code.
Should a cardigan fit tight or loose?
That depends on its use. For work and over dresses, it should sit closer to the body with the shoulder seam at the shoulder. As loungewear, it can certainly be oversized.
Which material is warmest for a cardigan?
Wool is the warmest and continues to insulate even if it gets slightly damp. Blended yarns with wool are a good middle ground between warmth and ease of care.
Summary
A cardigan is a knitted top that opens at the front. Choose the length based on where you want the focus to be, the material based on the desired warmth, and wear it as the versatile mid-layer it is designed to be.
Ready to find yours? Explore our women's cardigans and women's sweaters – with free shipping within Sweden.
