The office thermostat has long been a source of contention for many employees. Some people say it’s too hot in the office, while others say it’s too cold. The only reasonable solution is to keep it on the cold side since you can add a layer when you’re cold, but it would be a bit inappropriate to take a layer off if it were too hot. For those of us in the cold camp, the only way to fight the frost is to add a handful of reliable sweaters to our wardrobe. Here are five of the best types of women's office sweaters to keep you warm at work.
One common sweater type that’s handy for work is the good old women's cardigan sweater. You may even have one draped over your chair right now just in case the temperature dips even lower than normal. Cardigan sweaters are super versatile and can come in a variety of styles. There are drape cardigans that look just like they sound, draping over the body and taking over the job of a more formal blazer. Long cardigans that reach past the knees give a dress-like effect, whereas shorter button-down cardigans look good over a dress shirt with the bottom hanging out underneath. There are also zippered cardigans that add their own unique style to an outfit, making it look a little more modern than a traditional button-down, especially if the zipper is bold and made of a shiny metallic. Cardigan sweaters can even make a T-shirt and jeans look professional. You can't go wrong with a classic office cardigan.
Tunic sweaters are great when you want to be warm yet comfortable since they can easily be worn over leggings for a proper business casual look. They may be crew neck, v-neck or turtleneck, and typically look best paired with a long necklace since the tunic is also long (typically going past the hips) and may look a bit understated on its own. A tunic sweater can look really great with boots but also works with heels and flats as well, making them a versatile staple for any wardrobe, let alone in a cold office.
Having a women’s cashmere sweater in your arsenal adds a bit of prestige to your wardrobe due to its superior quality and softness. They’re also really comfortable because they’re not scratchy. You’ll find cashmere sweaters in a variety of styles, whether form-fitting or loose, long or short. Regardless of the style, cashmere is sure to keep you warm and looking professional in a chilly office.
Sweater vests are a fun alternative to a typical long-sleeved sweater. Since they lack arms, however, you will have to wear a long-sleeved shirt underneath. These are great for those days when the office gets a little bit chilly, but when wearing a full sweater would make you too hot. They typically have a looser fit than a typical sweater, are longer, and may even have pockets, as well. Especially sharp looking is a cable knit sweater vest, as the knitted design can provide a contrast to whatever you’re wearing underneath. Sweater vests look best when paired with skinny pants or leggings. But if you’re only wearing it to take the chill away when sitting at your desk, it really doesn’t matter what you pair it with as long as you’re comfortable.
Turtlenecks have a way of always staying in style. They have a bit of a “posh” reputation and effortlessly make you look smart when wearing them. Turtleneck sweaters can be thin, thick, long, or short. But the one trait they share is that they cover your neck for extra warmth when you need it. They can be worn over a T-shirt or camisole or simply by themselves if they’re made of a soft material like cashmere. A thin, form-fitting turtleneck sweater looks great with pants or jeans (if your office allows), while baggier turtleneck sweaters look great over leggings.
There’s no reason to suffer a loss in the battle of the office thermostat when you have a variety of sweaters on which to rely. When it’s the middle of winter and the furnace can’t keep up with the cold, you can simply plan on adding a sweater to your typical winter wardrobe. In contrast, when the air conditioning is maxed out in the middle of summer, you can make sure you’re always prepared by draping a cardigan over your chair to use when you need it.