Cardigans Are My Secret Weapon Every Spring—I Love These 36 Under-$100 Picks

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(Image credit: @frannfyne)

When it comes to a cardigan, I'm going to buy it. My collection is up to a whopping 15—an unfathomable number given how tiny my closet is in my shoebox-style NYC apartment. Cardigans are my bread and butter at this point. Not only are they ultra cozy for fashionable homebodies, but they're also effortlessly chic if styled right—often as simply as possible. I can't tell you how many times I've worn an outfit that consists of a white T-shirt, jeans, and a statement cardigan, only to receive an endless stream of compliments from friends and family. 

Now that spring is upon us, cardigan season is in full effect. For days when a coat is simply too heavy, I'll opt for a cardigan instead. From wool-blend sweaters to fuzzy printed knits, there's a style for every personality and budget. I'll celebrate that.

Ahead are 36 cardigans I've bookmarked to add to my collection while keeping my wallet happy. Honestly, I'm shocked at how chic some of these look for being well under $100. Happy shopping.

Next, shop 29 of this week's best new arrivals.

Assistant Shopping Editor
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.

Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)