Thanks Mr. Rogers!

He was the king of cardigans, and he ushered in a whole generation of kids who equated comfort and kindness with the affable and oh so essential piece of clothing in nearly everyone's closet. Men and women -- young and old -- have at least one cardigan in their wardrobe. Next to jeans and t-shirts, the cardigan is one of the most functional pieces of clothing that you will (or should) ever own. And over the last several years, it has had a huge update. No more straight-from-the-neck, button-down-pearls, grandma-wearing cardigans; instead, the cardigan has gone from (channeling Can't Buy Me Love) "geek to chic!"

Now every cardigan style and some new incarnations are finding their way into designers' minds and hearts. You've got: lets-applique-the-crap-out-of-this cardigans; shield-your-eyes-from-bright-colored-neon cardigans; this-isn't-a-cardigan cardigans; and I-need-something-heavier-than-a-cardigan sweater cardigans. No matter their styling, they are great for jazzing up a look and adding a bit of sophistication to any look. Here are a few examples of some chic cardigans I found around the Web.

Scalloped Zipper Cardigan, J.Crew, $78.40; Chiffon Petal V-Neck Cardigan, Ann Taylor LOFT, $59.50


Be Teal My Heart Cardigan, Mod Cloth, $44.99

Trench Cardigan, Free People, $128; Popcorn Sweater byCORPUS, Urban Outfitters, $68