Cardigan sets commonly appear as 2- or 3-piece outfits. Adult styles are often 2-piece (cardigan plus a top or shorts) or 3-piece lounge/pajama sets (cardigan, camisole/tank, and shorts). Baby sets typically pair a cardigan with footed pants or include a bodysuit plus a lightweight muslin jacket.
Common constructions include knit and rib-knit (e.g., ribbed lounge sets and rib-knit tops), jersey knits, and drop-needle ribbed fabrics. Some men's sets use woven fabrics, and baby jackets often use lightweight muslin.
Listings describe cardigan sets from lightweight to medium-weight. Some are labeled "lightweight" or "soft and breathable" for summer, while others are marked medium-weight or described as suitable for year-round/all-season wear.
Cardigan sets use a variety of blends, including polyester blends (for example, 63% polyester/37% viscose), cotton blends (for example, 95% cotton/5% elastane), and rayon/polyester/spandex blends (for example, 65%/30%/5%).
Bottoms are most often pull-on styles secured with elastic banded waists; many lounge shorts add adjustable drawstrings or an adjustable waistband, and infant bottoms may use banded elastic or be footed with built-in coverage.