Ilk Is on a Mission to Make the Perfect Cardigan

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You don't wear a cardigan because it's sexy or fashion-forward. You wear it because you're cold. Or, more accurately, chilly. It's an easy piece to throw in your bag and retrieve at the first sign of goose bumps. It may not look stylish, but it rarely looks hideous. In the right material, it becomes the cozy piece that you turn to more than you care to admit. You sheepishly say things like, "I live in this cardigan," with enough emphasis to suggest that you're exaggerating, when —in reality— you're telling the truth. And while many have put their spin on the v-neck button-down, San Francisco basics startup Ilk is hopeful that it has perfected the design.

Ilk co-founder Mike Weiss tells Racked, "We're on a mission to craft timeless, locally-made pieces that last forever and adapt to your lifestyle." The brand's first attempt at a perfect piece is the Hepburn, a sustainably-sourced nylon/merino wool cardigan. At $150, you could easily find a cheaper sweater, but it may not come with the Ilk add-ons like thumbholes, functional pockets, and a wind-resistant, pill-resistant fabric. Currently planned in black and charcoal, this could be the cardigan that you live in, but only if Ilk can raise the funds it needs to produce the line.

Ilk has turned to Kickstarter to raise the $40,000 that it needs to bring the Hepburn to market. The campaign has only just begun, and Mike and Emily Gill, his partner, still have a long way to go. If the Hepburn sounds like the cardigan of your dreams, you have until November 30 to contribute and make it happen.

· Ilk Outerwear [Kickstarter]
· Crowdfunding [Racked]