Contemporaine
Ultra-Soft Tie-Up Boxy-Fit Cardigan
5/5 (1)
CA$69.00CAD
In Stock
This ultra-soft cardigan from Contemporaine by Simons features a boxy fit, crew neck, and tie-cord front closure. It is knit from a recycled polyester blend with a plush, fuzzy texture, raglan sleeves, and ribbed hem and cuffs. Designed in Canada, it offers a comfortable layering piece for everyday wear.
- Material
- polyester blend made from recycled plastic bottles
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear
Color
Light GreyChocolate/EspressoBaby Blue
Size
X-SMALLSMALLMEDIUMLARGEX-LARGE
Specifications
Ultra-soft boxy-fit cardigan with tie closure and ribbed edging, made from recycled polyester.
Ultra-soft plush knit, boxy fit, crew neck, tie-cord closure, ribbed edging.
- Material
- polyester blend made from recycled plastic bottles
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear
Additional Attributes
- ultra-soft plush knit
- boxy fit
- crew neck
- tie-cord closure
- ribbed edging
- made from recycled plastic bottles
- designed in Canada
Product Insights
The Ultra-Soft Tie-Up Boxy-Fit Cardigan by Contemporaine offers a two-in-one silhouette through a tie-cord that cinches for an hourglass fit or stays loose for a boxy drape, styled as a knot or bow, and worn open over a fitted top for a 90s-inspired look. Made from a recycled polyester blend that is ultra-soft, moisture-wicking, and pill-resistant through 40+ washes, it retains its shape and resists shrinkage. Available in XS-XL (unlike competitors' one-size), this Simons-exclusive, Canadian-designed piece is priced at CAD 69, positioned between more expensive alpaca-wool cardigans and cheaper linen/acrylic options.
Verified claims
- Fit adjustment
- Tie-cord cinches for an hourglass fit or stays loose for a boxy drape.
- Tie finish
- Tie the cord as a simple knot for a sporty look or a soft bow for a romantic look.
- Fit cinching
- Tie-cord can be cinched to transform the boxy fit into an hourglass silhouette.
- Open layering
- Worn open over a fitted top, the cardigan creates a 90s-inspired silhouette.
- Fit adjustability
- The tie cord cinches the waist when tightened and can be styled as a bow.
- Sizing range
- Available in XS-XL, while competitors like Suzie Blue are one-size.
- Fit retention
- Recycled polyester construction retains shape and resists shrinkage after washing.
- Fit profile
- Boxy, structured, full-length cardigan ideal for layering over fitted tops.
- Pilling removal
- Use a fabric shaver to trim pills without damaging the knit.
- Care
- Recycled-polyester blend knit stays ultra-soft, holds shape, and resists pilling through 40+ washes.
- Softness
- Recycled polyester knit feels softer than virgin polyester
- Moisture management
- Moisture wicking and drying speed are within 2-3% of virgin polyester
- Shape retention
- Resists wrinkles and shrinkage, preserving the boxy silhouette
- Design exclusivity
- Simons-exclusive cardigan designed in Canada
- Sizing and fit
- Available in XS–XL with adjustable tie for two silhouettes
- Fabric quality and sustainability
- 52% recycled polyester, 37% acrylic, 8% nylon, 3% spandex: ultra-soft, medium-weight, machine-washable, quick-drying, pill-resistant
- Price value
- At CAD 69, more affordable than alpaca-wool cardigans but pricier than linen and acrylic options
- Design origin
- Exclusive to Simons, designed in Canada, with recycled polyester and XS–XL sizes.
- Tie-cord adjustability
- Tie-cord transforms the boxy fit from loose to cinched hourglass silhouette.
- Styling
- Creates a 90s contrast when worn open over a fitted base, with gaps revealing the underlayer.
Product record
- Title
- Ultra-Soft Tie-Up Boxy-Fit Cardigan
- Brand
- Contemporaine
- Price
- 69 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
Wearing the boxy fit with tie-front detail
- The tie-cord can be left as a simple drawstring knot for a minimalist, sporty look, or tied into a soft center-front bow for a romantic, detail-oriented finish — a small styling decision that changes the cardigan's entire personality.
- Worn open over a slim tank or camisole, the cardigan channels a '90s boxy-over-fitted silhouette that creates a textural contrast and frames the body without clinging, ideal for showing off a statement necklace or a layered look.
- Pulling the tie cords snug transforms the relaxed boxy cut into a defined hourglass shape, while leaving them untied delivers the full, fashion-forward oversized drape — two distinct silhouettes from one piece depending on how you cinch.
Keeping the plush knit soft and pill-free
- High dryer heat can embrittle polyester fibers and increase the rate at which they break and form pills, so air drying the cardigan flat or using the lowest heat setting with dryer balls maintains the plush loft longer while also preserving the ribbed edging's shape.
- When pills eventually appear — a natural outcome of a brushed knit's raised surface — a fabric shaver gently trims them away without harming the base fabric, making it the simplest home tool for restoring the cardigan's smooth finish after repeated wear.
- Washing the cardigan only with similarly soft fabrics — never with denim, garments with zippers, or towels — prevents snagging and friction that can prematurely lift fibers from a plush knit, so it remains one of the simplest and most effective longevity habits.
How recycled polyester knitwear feels and wears
- In an 87-wash test on mechanically recycled polyester, pilling was minimal until wash 40 and color faded only slightly by wash 65, suggesting the cardigan's plush knit will retain its texture and hue through frequent laundering when cared for as recommended.
- Recycled polyester wicking and drying speed fall within 2–3% of virgin polyester, so the cardigan moves light moisture away from the body and dries quickly — a practical asset for layering when moving between cool outdoor air and heated indoor spaces.
- Recycled polyester typically feels softer than virgin polyester, which underpins this cardigan's ultra-soft hand — the plush knit builds on that inherent softness rather than relying on chemical finishes that can wash out.
- Because virgin and recycled polyester share the same core strengths — high durability, resistance to wrinkles and shrinkage — the cardigan's boxy silhouette and ribbed edges will hold their shape through wear and laundering without sagging or creasing, much like performance knitwear.
How it stacks up against similar tie-front cardigans
- Unlike the widely available Gap, Mr. Max, and & Other Stories alternatives, the Contemporaine is a Simons-exclusive designed in Canada, giving it a boutique identity that mass-market competitors can't match.
- At $49, the Suzie Blue cardigan uses a 100% acrylic popcorn knit and a single one-size-fits-all cut, prioritizing a handmade, ethically sourced Bali production story — the Contemporaine counters with a full size run (XS–XL) and a recycled-polyester material story that may appeal more to those wanting a structured fit.
- Gap's entry at CA$54.95 (regular) uses a breathable 52% linen / 48% polyester blend and a classic, slightly cropped fit with a V-neck, making it a lighter-weight summer layering piece — the Contemporaine's boxy silhouette and plush recycled polyester knit instead anchor it as a cozier, cool-weather alternative.
- Priced at $48, the Room 34 crochet cardigan delivers an open-weave, boho texture with a front tie detail, contrasting sharply with the Contemporaine’s dense plush knit — ideal for those seeking a summer-weight option with a handmade feel.
- Priced at $29.33 on clearance, Mr. Max's 100% viscose cardigan offers a draped, lightweight hand and a generous size range (XS–3X) along with made-in-Canada manufacturing — a more drapey, budget-conscious option compared to the structured, plush polyester of the Contemporaine.
- At £75 (full price) the & Other Stories version combines an alpaca-wool blend with a cropped, button-front construction and a built-in self-tie belt — offering a more polished, natural-fiber take on the boxy tie-front look; Contemporaine’s recycled polyester plush knit and £69-ish price (comparable when & Other Stories is on sale) provide a machine-washable, full-length, animal-fiber-free alternative.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front view of a light heather gray knit cardigan worn by a model; boxy silhouette with three vertical tie closures, ribbed hem and cuffs, raglan sleeves, and a soft fuzzy knit surface.
- Overall silhouetteBoxy, waist-length cardigan shown from the front with a straight hem that falls to the model's hips.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.18 · w 0.72 · h 0.56 (high) - Closure detailThree vertical tie closures down the center front formed by narrow knit cords tied into simple bows, leaving narrow open gaps between each tie.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.16 · w 0.20 · h 0.48 (high) - NecklineShallow round neckline finished with a narrow ribbed trim and the top tie emerging from the center front neckline.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.12 · w 0.24 · h 0.12 (high) - Sleeve constructionLong raglan sleeves that taper slightly to ribbed cuffs; sleeve seam runs diagonally from neckline toward underarm.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.18 · w 0.30 · h 0.58 (high); x 0.58 · y 0.18 · w 0.30 · h 0.58 (high) - Hem and cuff finishWide ribbed hem at the bottom of the body and narrower ribbed cuffs at sleeve ends in the same yarn.
3 regions
x 0.28 · y 0.60 · w 0.44 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.12 · y 0.64 · w 0.20 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.68 · y 0.64 · w 0.20 · h 0.12 (high) - Fabric textureSoft, slightly fuzzy knit surface with a uniform heathered appearance across the body and sleeves.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.20 · w 0.60 · h 0.48 (high) - Front opennessCenter front is not fully closed; visible vertical strip of an underlayer garment is revealed through the gaps between the ties.
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.28 · w 0.12 · h 0.36 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a neutral white background showing a cropped mid-thigh framing with even, soft lighting and minimal shadows; model present wearing the cardigan.
- Model presentationFemale model shown from head to mid-thigh wearing the cardigan; hands relaxed at sides and hair loose over one shoulder.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.02 · w 0.76 · h 0.96 (high) - Background and lightingUniform white background with soft, diffused studio lighting producing minimal shadows and even color rendering.
- Image cropImage cropped slightly above the head and at mid-thigh, centering the torso and cardigan in the frame.
Colors
light heather gray· cardigan body and ties#D1CECB- Overall silhouetteBoxy, waist-length cardigan shown from the front with a straight hem that falls to the model's hips.
- 02
Product
Front upper view of a light heather gray knit cardigan showing tied closures at the neckline and mid-chest, ribbed collar and cuffs, and visible soft brushed knit texture.
- Neckline tieNarrow tubular knit tie forming a small bow at the center of the neckline, tied through a short vertical opening at the chest.
1 region
x 0.41 · y 0.29 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high) - Lower tie closureA second pair of tubular knit ties tied in a bow at mid-chest, aligned vertically below the neckline tie and passing through the garment front opening.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.52 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high) - Ribbed collarNarrow ribbed round collar finishing the neckline with visible vertical rib knit pattern.
1 region
x 0.35 · y 0.27 · w 0.30 · h 0.07 (high) - Sleeve cuffWide ribbed cuff visible at the left wrist area with tighter ribbing than the body.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.78 · w 0.46 · h 0.16 (high) - Fabric textureSoft brushed knit texture with a slightly fuzzy surface and even heathering visible across body and sleeves.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.32 · w 0.64 · h 0.58 (medium) - Front openingVertical front opening beneath the ties showing an inner white layer, indicating the cardigan front parts are separated where ties are tied.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.43 · w 0.10 · h 0.28 (high)
Other
Close-up studio portrait of a model wearing the cardigan against a plain white background with soft, even lighting; image cropped at mid-forearm and top of head.
- Model presenceFemale model shown from upper chest to slightly above head wearing the garment; hair drapes over the left shoulder.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.02 · w 0.84 · h 0.96 (high) - Background and lightingPlain white background with soft, diffuse frontal lighting and minimal shadows.
- Image cropImage is cropped at mid-forearm on the left and slightly above the head at the top, focusing on upper torso details.
Colors
light heather gray· cardigan body and sleeves#CDCCCB- Neckline tieNarrow tubular knit tie forming a small bow at the center of the neckline, tied through a short vertical opening at the chest.
- 03
Product
Rear view of a boxy, light grey knit cardigan with raglan sleeves, visible ribbed hem and cuffs, and a soft slightly fuzzy surface; worn by a model so fit and drape are shown from the back.
- Back body panelFlat rear panel with a boxy, straight hemline and a soft, slightly fuzzy knit surface visible across the back.
1 region
x 0.09 · y 0.14 · w 0.82 · h 0.58 (high) - Sleeve constructionRaglan sleeve seams angling from neckline toward underarm; long sleeves that drop to ribbed cuffs.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.14 · w 0.26 · h 0.66 (high); x 0.68 · y 0.14 · w 0.26 · h 0.66 (high) - Ribbed hemHorizontal ribbed knit band along the bottom edge of the cardigan, slightly wider in the center with a small notch where hem meets side seam.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.66 · w 0.76 · h 0.12 (high) - Cuff detailRibbed cuffs at sleeve ends that appear slightly narrower than the hem ribbing.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.72 · w 0.10 · h 0.14 (high); x 0.84 · y 0.72 · w 0.10 · h 0.14 (high) - Neckline and shoulderRounded neckline at back with a visible raglan seam; upper back partially covered by the model's hair.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.06 · w 0.28 · h 0.20 (medium) - Hair occlusionModel's long brown hair falls down the center of the back and partially covers the upper back knit surface.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.06 · w 0.28 · h 0.48 (high) - No rear fastenersNo visible closures, ties, buttons, or fasteners on the back panel.
Other
Studio shot of a model from behind on a plain light background with even soft lighting and minimal shadows; model wears white pants and a small hoop earring is visible on the right ear.
- Shot compositionCentered rear three-quarter crop showing the model from head to hips against a seamless light background.
- LightingSoft, even studio lighting with minimal directional shadows and neutral color balance.
- Visible props or garmentsOff-white pants visible from the waist down and the model's hands resting at sides; these are not part of the cardigan.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.76 · w 0.60 · h 0.22 (high) - AccessorySmall hoop earring visible on the model's right ear.
1 region
x 0.68 · y 0.10 · w 0.06 · h 0.08 (high)
Colors
light heather grey· cardigan body and sleeves#D1CECC- Back body panelFlat rear panel with a boxy, straight hemline and a soft, slightly fuzzy knit surface visible across the back.
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
1 total5
1 reviews · out of 5
Soft and cozy
★★★★★Lisa A.
Love this oversized fun comfy sweater, great over tank! Lots of compliments on cooler summer night
Q&A
4 answered- Is the cardigan machine washable or does it require hand washing/dry cleaning?
- The cardigan is machine washable. We recommend washing in cold water on a gentle cycle and laying flat to dry to maintain the softness of the plush knit.
- How does the fabric feel in terms of weight and warmth? Is it suitable for mild fall weather or more for indoor layering?
- The cardigan features an ultra-soft plush knit that is medium in weight and provides warmth suitable for mild fall weather or indoor layering. It is cozy without being overly heavy.
- Is the tie-cord closure functional, or is it purely decorative? Can it be tightened to adjust the fit?
- The tie-cord closure is functional and can be tightened to adjust the fit of the cardigan. It is not purely decorative.
- Does the recycled polyester fabric have any certifications (e.g., GRS) or is it just claimed to be from recycled bottles?
- The product listing does not mention any third-party certifications (such as GRS) for the recycled polyester. It simply states that the material is made from recycled plastic bottles.