This season’s stylish cardigans that go with everything
Not all cardigans are created equal, but the right one can be a chic, versatile outfit-maker
A sad desk cardigan is like a sad desk salad: it leaves you feeling a bit flat. But a lovely one, thoughtfully designed, with a flattering cut in just the right weight and colour, can become the most useful thing in your wardrobe.
The current crop arriving in stores is largely made up of the latter. For women, that’s swingy, boxy fits that look great with high-waisted jeans and trousers, and for men, sleek, minimal styles that will layer beautifully and go with almost everything.
And this isn’t just downtime attire. The cardigan’s history is rooted in uniform: it takes its name from the 7th Earl of Cardigan, who, in 1854, led the Charge of the Light Brigade, and whose officers wore knitted waistcoats. It became a staple of the 1920s preppy look, with the help of Coco Chanel, who liked men’s crew-neck jumpers, but not the way they messed up her hair when she pulled them over her head. Oversized men’s cardigans became a go-to for women.
“They hit that sweet spot of stylish pragmatism,’ says Rachel Carvell-Spedding, founder of knitwear label Navygrey. ‘Relaxed yet polished, but also practical and versatile.” She’s noticed a rise in demand, too: “We’re doubling our cardigan offering this winter,” she says.
The catwalks have provided lots of inspiration for how to get maximum wear. Pop one over a shirt and under a blazer, and you have a smart yet cosy layering hero. Or follow the lead of Ferragamo and Paul Smith and try a cardigan over a shirt in a similar shade, for a minimal, tonal look. Treat it like a T-shirt and tuck it into your trousers, as at Stella McCartney, or go oversized and team it with a miniskirt or shorts in the style of Gucci.
Chilly? Follow Erdem’s lead and wear it unbuttoned and draped over the shoulders like a cape. Too warm? Button it up, then sling the arms over your shoulders, tied in a loose knot. It might sound a little Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but it’s practical and cool in a nostalgic, preppy way.
The best thing about the cardigan, though, is that it’s truly a piece for everyone; you just have to find the style – and styling – that works for you. And if you take your lead from this offering, there’ll be nothing sad or drab about it.
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