I Have A Closet Full Of Clothes, But I Keep Reaching For One Cozy Piece

I have a closet full of clothes, but I find myself reaching for the same staple pieces over and over. Once the temperature dips, my favorite wardrobe staple by far is my $50 100% organic cotton oversized cardigan from Quince in speckled beige.

I bought my first oversized cardigan a few years ago and found myself wearing it so often that I had to be intentional about not wearing it every day. Since it comes in six colors, I quickly decided to add a black cardigan to my repertoire for some variety. Even after years of regular wear, I still find myself reaching for these throughout the fall, winter and into spring.

$50 at Quince

I also love my oversized cardigans for travel. I like to pack light, and since the oversized cardigan goes with just about anything, it’s the perfect choice for any trip, from Paris to Phuket. Plus, I can use it as a blanket in a pinch on cold airplanes and trains. Even better, it has pockets.

My oversized cardigans have held up incredibly well through multiple wears and washes. I’ve worn them to the office and interviews. I’ve also worn an oversized cardigan to an engagement party and baby shower, as well as coffee with friends and walks in the park with my family.

Now that summer is officially over, I’m already looking forward to wearing my Quince oversized cardigans again. I became curious about why this sweater works so well with nearly any outfit for nearly any occasion, so I consulted stylists for their input.

The rule of thirds does the heavy lifting.

The rule of thirds is a simple way to make outfits look polished by creating a visual split either ⅓ from an outfit’s top or bottom. “That 1/3–2/3 visual split is what stylists rely on to make an outfit look intentional,” explained fashion stylist and image consultant Alisa Rose. “An oversized cardigan naturally breaks the body into asymmetric proportions” that align with the rule of thirds, she explained. “The cardigan works as the ‘third,’ never overwhelming the frame because it’s balanced by whatever’s underneath,” she said.

Neutral color and texture make the oversized cardigan a connector piece.

My first Quince cardigan was a neutral speckled beige. It also comes in other neutral colors including ivory, black, camel, gray and a chocolate plum that is available seasonally. “A cardigan in an undyed, tonal, or muted shade doesn’t fight with prints, denim washes, or other neutrals. It bridges them. That’s the real trick behind ‘goes with everything,’” Rose explained.

The sweater’s silhouette adds to its versatility.

Rose explains that because the sweater is oversized, it is extremely versatile and can do more than the average sweater. According to Rose, Quince’s oversized cardigan can easily be worn open over a shirt and jeans, layered under a coat in colder months without bulk, thrown over a slip dress for evening, or belted at the waist to reshape the silhouette entirely. “It’s simultaneously a layering piece, a proportion tool, and a neutral anchor. That’s three wardrobe options in one garment,” Rose explained.

The oversized cardigan’s design helps nearly any outfit feel complete.

Even though my favorite cardigan is oversized, it doesn’t feel like an afterthought or bulky. “The weight and fabrication of the cardigan give it enough structure to make an outfit feel more polished,” said Kathryn Snow, a former Bloomingdale’s buyer and founder of Style Me Ada, a personal styling service. “Essentially, the cardigan functions as a soft third piece layer in an outfit, similar to a jacket, which often can make a simple outfit feel finished,” she explained.

The sweater meets all the criteria for a piece that won’t fade with trends.

I’ve been considering buying a third oversized cardigan but worried I might tire of it if I wear the cardigan even more often. However, after learning more about why this cardigan works so well, I decided to take the plunge. “From a buying perspective, these are exactly the pieces that tend to have longevity in someone’s wardrobe: neutral, easy to layer, flattering with multiple outfit choices, and wearable across different levels of dressiness,” Snow explained. That’s exactly the type of item I need more of in my closet.

$50 at Quince

The sweater is good for my mental health.

I don’t normally consider my mental health when it comes to clothing, but I should, according to Sarah Seung-McFarland, PhD, a fashion and design psychologist and founder of styling service Trulery. She thinks the cardigan works because of its versatility and sense of ease. “The relaxed fit can help us feel comfortable and unrestricted, but still structured enough to look intentional,” Seung-McFarland explained. The “combination of comfort and adaptability can reduce some of the decision-making involved in getting dressed. You know it will work with what you already own and feel like yourself whenever you wear it,” she said.

The cardigan’s design is universally flattering.

According to celebrity stylist Derek Warburton, the oversized cardigan looks good on most people. “The woven line textures on the cardigan create a flattering effect to the body, making the silhouette not too wide, while adding length to the rest,” he explained. “In contrast, the lantern sleeves break this verticality slightly, giving gentle curves to prevent the whole cardigan from looking too structured,” Warburton elaborated.

The Quince 100% organic cotton oversized cardigan is available in six colors in sizes XS-XL. I’m not alone in being obsessed. “Might be the perfect cardigan. This cardigan is so pretty! It drapes beautifully and despite being oversized doesn’t feel heavy. I thought the pockets might look weird but they don’t. I’m normally an xs and I ordered a small, if you are wondering about sizing up on Quince items so the fit is more comfortable, I have found with this item and others that I can order my normal size,” said Blyss D.

Even though I’m tempted to wear my oversized cardigan every day, I know that I need to add some variety to my wardrobe. I also love other versatile Quince sweaters, including the cashmere crew, the organic cotton cable cardigan, and the lightweight baby alpaca ribbed crewneck.

$50 at Quince