A fitted rib-knit cardigan with a wide collar that folds back off the shoulders and runs down into a deep V, framing the neckline the way a lapel does on a jacket. Four embossed gold buttons close the front and set the whole line of it, enough polish to wear out and restrained enough to wear to work under a coat. Nothing else on the cardigan competes with them.

The rib runs vertically through the body and the sleeves, which draws the eye up and holds the knit close to the waist without any seaming to do it. Two slim welt pockets sit at the hip and stay flat, so the silhouette reads clean from the side as well as the front. It ends at the hip bone and works as well over a straight skirt as it does over denim and a flat boot.

• Fabric: fine rib knit
• Collar: wide fold-back collar off the shoulder
• Front: deep V closing on four embossed gold buttons
• Pockets: two slim welt pockets at the waist
• Fit: fitted, ending at the hip bone