I’ve been wearing Sézane knitwear for years — the Emile, the Basile, all of it. But the Gaspard cardigan is one knit that has been sitting in my wishlist for longer than I’d care to admit. I finally caved (twice) and got it in both Ecru and Black. Here’s everything you need to know before you do the same.
If there’s one piece that comes up over and over again in Sézane conversations, it’s the Gaspard cardigan. And while I’m no stranger to the brand or their knits, it took me a good two years to finally jump on the Gaspard bandwagon!
I thought they were like any other cardigan… but I can now understand what the hype is about. The Gaspard cardigan is both a wardrobe staple and a statement piece, depending on which color you get it in and how you decide to wear it.
I went for the two most neutral options first: Ecru and Black. I knew that these were safe, versatile, pieces I’d actually reach for week after week (however — the Rosewood color is already on my list for next.)
In this review, I’m covering sizing, fit, the differences between the two color ways, material and care, and all the little details worth knowing before you click add to cart. So, let’s get into it. On y va!
First Impressions of the Gaspard Cardigan
The Gaspard is one of those pieces I loved as soon as I put it on. From the moment you pick it up, it’s just soft. Incredibly soft. That’s the Super Kid Mohair and Baby Alpaca blend at work, and it makes the whole sweater feel more elevated than its $120 price tag suggests.
The pearl-effect buttons are a really lovely detail, understated enough that they almost disappear into the knit, but noticeable enough that they feel intentional.
Then there’s the feature that initially surprised me: this cardigan can be worn two ways. Buttons in the front as a traditional cardigan, or flipped around with the button placket at the back for more of a classic pullover silhouette. I’ve worn it both ways (as pictured above) and love it either way.
If you’re building out your French capsule wardrobe, the Gaspard is one of the cornerstone pieces I’d point you toward first.
Related Posts
Gaspard Cardigan Sizing & Fit— Are They All the Same?
Both of my Gaspard cardigans are a size S, which is my usual size in Sézane knitwear (I typically wear a 4–6 US). The fit is what I’d describe as loose without being oversized. There’s a generous amount of ease in the body, and the knit has a lovely relaxed drape, but it doesn’t swallow you.
If you’re between sizes or prefer a more relaxed fit, sizing up one is possible and would still look good, but I actually don’t think it’s necessary.
That said, there’s one note worth flagging: the two colors fit slightly differently. The Ecru feels stretchier and a bit roomier, while the Black runs noticeably more snug. My best guess is that this comes down to the dye process affecting the fiber behavior, which isn’t uncommon with mohair and alpaca blends. This is something to keep in mind if you’re on the fence about sizing for a specific color.
Gaspard Cardigan Ecru vs. Black
I bought both colors intentionally, knowing they’d each bring something different to the table. Here’s how they actually compare:
Ecru Cardigan
The Ecru is that dreamy, warm off-white that looks effortlessly French with everything. It’s soft and airy, and it photographs beautifully.
The one thing to note is that, because of the lighter color and the lightweight mohair weave, it is slightly see-through. Not dramatically so, but you’ll want to be mindful of what you wear underneath — a slip, a bralette, or a fitted top would work nicely.
Black Cardigan
The Black is the more structured of the two. It fits a bit more snugly (again, likely a dye-related thing), and because the darker color doesn’t show the translucency the way the Ecru does, it wears a bit more opaquely. The black is incredibly versatile and I honestly reach for it just as often as the Ecru.
If you’re a one-color person, I’d say: go Ecru if you love that soft, romantic, French-girl aesthetic; go Black if you want something you can layer into almost any outfit without thinking about it.
How to Style the Sézane Gaspard Cardigan
This is where the Gaspard cardigan really comes to life. The magic of this cardigan is how many ways there are to style it. Here are some of my favorite ways to wear it:
Buttons in the front (cardigan style): You can wear it closed over silk bottoms or a slip dress for that effortless Parisian layering look. Or, leave it unbuttoned over a fitted tee tucked into wide-leg trousers.
Buttons in the back (sweater style): This is the version I tend to gravitate toward. I love the versatility of turning this cardigan into a sweater, I just feel like I can wear it with so much more. I love it tucked loosely into high-waisted jeans, linen or silk shorts, or even a midi skirt.
Color-specific pairings: The Ecru looks stunning with camel, ivory, blush, and soft denim. The Black goes with literally everything, but I especially love it with white, cream, and even a deep burgundy.
A couple of my current go-to outfit formulas with this cardigan:
- Gaspard in Ecru + white jeans + beige ballet flats + a light leather bag
- Gaspard in Black + straight-leg jeans + loafers + gold jewelry
- Gaspard (buttons back) + layered under the Sézane Scott Trench for transitional weather
- Gaspard (buttons front, open) over the Sézane Max Shirt for a Sézane layering moment
If you’re also exploring more European clothing brands to build around pieces like this, I’ve put together a full guide to the brands I personally wear and reach for most. It’s worth a read if the Gaspard has you in a Sézane spiral!
How to Care for Your Cardigan
The Gaspard is made in Italy from a blend of 37% Super Kid Mohair, 37% Baby Alpaca, and 26% Polyamide (of which 22% is recycled). It’s incredibly soft and lightweight, definitely not a winter warmer in the chunky sense, but it is a knit that will layer beautifully and transition well between seasons.
One honest note: it does shed, especially at first. That’s the nature of mohair, and it’s something I’ve accepted as part of the deal. I expect it will lessen over time and with gentle washing.
Speaking of which… hand wash ONLY, cold water, always. Please. I have seen far too many beautiful sweaters emerge from a dryer in doll-sized form. Sézane officially recommends hand washing in cold water, and I’d take that seriously with this kind of fiber. I haven’t needed to wash mine yet, but when I do, it’ll be a gentle cold soak with a wool-specific detergent.
Is the Sézane Gaspard Cardigan Worth It?
Short answer: yes, without question.
At $120, the Gaspard cardigan is one of the most wearable, versatile pieces that Sézane makes. The softness of the mohair-alpaca blend, the two-way wearing feature, and the pearl-effect buttons all adds up to a sweater that earns its place in your wardrobe season after season.
Even with the few minor downsides—the initial shedding, the slight see-through nature of the lighter colors, and the subtle fit variation between color ways, these are all things that come with the territory of a luxury fiber blend. None of them are deal-breakers. If you take care of it, this cardigan will last you for years.
My one honest sizing note: if you’re ordering the Black, it runs slightly more fitted than the Ecru. Keep that in mind if you’re between sizes.
Who is the Gaspard Cardigan for?
- Anyone who loves a wear-it-a-thousand-ways knit that looks good with everything
- The person who reaches for the same sweater on repeat and never regrets it
- Anyone building a French-inspired capsule wardrobe. This is a cornerstone piece
Who might want something different?
- If you run warm or find mohair irritating, the fiber content might not suit you
- If you’re looking for a heavyweight winter cardigan, this one is more of a three-season piece
Final Thoughts
After adding the Gaspard cardigan to my wardrobe, I can understand why people collect Sézane knitwear obsessively. Once you have one, you start mentally planning the next color you’re going to get it in. (Rosewood, I’m coming for you.)
Both the Ecru and the Black have found permanent homes in my closet, and I don’t see them leaving anytime soon. If you’ve been going back and forth on this one, don’t hesitate.
And if the Gaspard has you falling deeper into the Sézane rabbit hole… same. I’ve rounded up 24 brands with a similar French-girl aesthetic that I personally love and wear, a few of which have become just as much of a staple in my wardrobe as this cardigan.
If you end up ordering one, I’d love to know which color you go for, so let me know in the comments below! À bientôt.
