Most cardigans are bought to be a background layer and then worn until they blend into everything. This one is the pattern in the outfit, which means the rest of what you wear can stay plain. Wide bands of color block stripe run across the body, so a white tee and jeans underneath is already a finished look and a plain black dress becomes something worth photographing. The colours sit in wide, confident bands rather than thin lines, so the pattern still reads from across a room.

It is built to be easy in every other respect. The shoulder is dropped, so the sleeve starts partway down the arm and the whole thing falls straight without pinching anywhere. There is no closure to line up, no buttons to lose. Rib knit at the cuffs and hem gives the soft knit just enough structure to hold its shape from a morning commute through to the evening, rather than stretching out by lunchtime.

It hits at the hip and comes in Black, Burgundy and Blue, in sizes S to 2XL. Our model is 5'8" and wears a size S. The regular fit has a relaxed drape, so take your usual size. Hand wash cold and lay flat to dry, or have it professionally cleaned.

• Fit: Regular fit with a relaxed drape, true to size
• Key details: Open front with no closure, cardigan collar, rib knit cuffs and hem
• Sleeve: Long sleeve with a dropped shoulder
• Pattern: Wide color block stripes across the body
• Length: Hip length
• Sizes and colours: S to 2XL in Black, Burgundy and Blue
• Care: Hand wash cold, lay flat to dry, or professional dry clean