19 best black cardigans you can wear for any occasion this winter – and beyond

Fashion doesn’t like to do anything too mundane… but sometimes, practicality and style combine and give us a gem of a garment – like these epic black cardigans… How can something so simple and classic be so useful – yet also be so versatile and so very of-the-moment? It’s fashion magic, we tell you…

Apart from being in the fashion pack’s favourite colour (we love you Barbiecore pink but sometimes, black is best) you can style a black cardigan in a myriad of ways. Obviously the long sleeves and knitted texture keep you warm layered over a t-shirt, polo-neck or thermal vest (yes, we stan our thermals)… but worn over bare skin and tucked into the waistband of a leather mini skirt you’re channelling Jane Birkin… With a pair of velvet jeans, worn over a statement collar blouse, you’re making cottagecore look chic… Or slip one on, instead of a shirt, with cigarette trousers for work and, voila, you’ve got an office appropriate look too.

There is something almost alchemical about the way black allows even the most lairy details to be transformed into something cool and understated. Warehouse’s statement fringe trim cardigan could look too bold in red but black tempers the texture. Likewise, imagine & Other Stories’ sequin cardigan in gold. Definitely one for the fanciest parties. Yet in black, you can wear it as daywear and make it feel relaxed with your favourite jeans. We love dopamine dressing, when the mood takes us, but black allows even the most fashion averse to take baby steps into a wilder mood. We are here for it.

Of course the black cardigan will become a hard-wearing piece in any capsule wardrobe – Jigsaw’s merino and cashmere cardigan will be a staple you rely on day in and day out – as will Whistles’ ribbed cardigan. But it’s up to you to dial the styling up – or down – at will. Black cardigans, let us count the ways.

Scroll down for our edit of the 19 best black cardigans to wear all autumn – and beyond.

Read more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton here or follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton