Return of the cardigan
— by Alyson Walsh
At a conference the other day, I noticed a recurring theme. It was nothing to do with PowerPoint presentations or pie charts; simply that two out of the four elegantly dressed women at my table were wearing cardigans. Style note: adornment is key. One was charcoal grey with hand-embellished appliqué trailing down the right arm like a gigantic tattoo; the other, bottle-green cashmere decorated with a cluster of vintage brooches.
Though, a plain and simple cardi paired with silver and sequins works a treat, too. See Linda Rodin (above).
While this may not sound like cutting-edge fashion news, to many women the return of a beloved wardrobe staple heralds a form of sartorial vindication. Embellished, colourful, often worn in conjunction with a sleeveless dress (think early noughties Nigella) the button-fronted knit has been in exile for almost a decade, replaced by pared-down, fuss-free Gentlewoman style. Now, thanks largely to Gucci’s vintage-inspired maximalism, the decorative cardigan is back and I can take my Lurex collection out of storage. Hooray.
I was at Hobbs HQ the other day planning a couple of events (more news coming soon) and I noticed that they have a variety of styles with polka dots and patterns, available HERE.
The cardi is back with a bang and I’ve written about it for the FT, read the full feature HERE.
Discussion (24 Comments)
- TNMA says:
I LOVED the cardi Michelle Obama wore to meet the Queen. I don’t think Her Maj minded, I’m sure she’s a fan of the cardi, too.
- Val S says:
As Catbird pointed out, I don’t think they ever went out of style in the US – except on the catwalk, I suppose. Besides Mrs. Obama, there are lots of vintage-wearing fashionistas wearing cardis with full skirts in adorable retro style. I do like La Rodin’s hip take on the cardi, sort of biker chic with leather skinnies and boots. Not sure about posing in the bathroom, though.
- bobbie says:
Interesting as here in the states, we’ve never abandoned the cardigan. It’s the go to for all of us who don’t like jackets. But even at that women wear them all the time. They are such a great staple especially in air conditioning.
- gwen says:
This is not about the cardigan! I need help in determining what to wear to a “Diamonds and Denim” formal party in Texas in March.
I do have well fitting slim jeans, a cute Topshop new jeans jacket, several Chanel type dresses…..would love to come up with something that suits me. I wear dresses well and always feel good in them…..5’3″ tall, athletic build. Any ideas?????? - Coconut says:
I discovered a couple of years ago that cardies are a great way for me to wear a “blouse”…I have a 34G bust and if I wear a button up blouse, it inevitably gaps at the boob area, and slides back over my shoulders. Cardies, though, are accommodating and give me a flattering shirt feel. I usually wear a complementarily colored cami peaking from underneath.
PS Would love it if your reader comments were left justified…center justified is harder to read. 🙂
- Aud says:
Never stopped wearing them. Almost daily for work over sleeveless stuff! And sparkly ones with jeans. Slightly small always and bracelet sleeves to avoid looking too granny like. I wonder if our demographic has had an effect here.? .. As I’m now feeling slightly smug I’ll make a point of admiring my rainbow collection before bed!
- Rena says:
I, like the other commenters, am a long time cardi lover and I have a wardrobe full of them. I find them to be much more versatile and flattering than a pullover. They are my usual third or ‘completer’ item.
- Elizabeth Tierney says:
Wait. The cardigan has been out of style? Has any one told J.Crew and Boden?? Certainly, no one told me! In fact, it’s only recently that I’ve started wearing blazers again. Thanks for all the lovely pics of embellished cardigans – I’m inspired to and to my collection. xoxo
- ShoeQueen61' says:
A few years ago I read an interview in Harper’s that highlighted the day in the life of the late L’Wren Scott who stated that she had dozens of embellished cardigans in her possession simple because it brightened her appearance… Fortunately for me, I’ve taken a page from her book and have added a handful of glorious cardigans to my wardrobe that feature bright prints and embellishments– Items that have found a permanent and continual place in my “repetoire.” Thank you L’Wren (RIP) for your timely advice! And you as well Alyson for this article–more importantly this blog! I am thrilled to be a women of and over a certain age who shall ‘forever be stylish’♥
- Chris says:
I agree that cardis have always been there or thereabouts. You cannot brush out such a useful piece to the old hat cupboard. I have always found that I could re-invent them in various ways; by selecting great colours (not necessarily the current trend colour), pinning on some eye-catching brooches – vintage in particular, wearing the cards back to front – yes- this works by making your back view so very interesting. Also different sleeve lengths; bracelet, elbow, long, all make a difference to the look. I would also layer them to great effect with toning colours etc. No need to stop at just one.
I had lots of complimentary comments and more telling – admiring looks from women and even saw others copying my ideas. Now that was nice. - Tiffany says:
I want to love them but I always feel so frumpy in a cardigan.
- Olderbutwiser says:
Never ever went away…..shift dress (another staple) with a cropped cashmere cardi on top, gets me through all kinds of outings, embellished or not!
- northernlass says:
Hurrah indeed! Especially loved the idea of ‘glitzing’ them up myself…..
- Susan (unefemme.net) says:
I’ve been wearing and loving duster-length cardigans for the last few seasons. I’m going to be on the lookout for some good metallic or embellished versions. I agree they’re an easy way to add some color or brightness.
- Patti says:
Oh gosh, Linda R. looks chic and fabulous in everything! I don’t love cardigans on me, but some of the ones you’ve shown could change my mind. xo
- Fran says:
Cardis are so useful! I have a wardrobe of hand-knit ones, but, since losing 35 pounds, none of them fit, and I have to knit new ones! In the States, Target comes out with very affordable ($23 US) classic little cardis in new colors/patterns/prints every spring and fall — they look great buttoned up over a coordinating or complementary top and belted with a skinny belt. They make a lot of other good-looking cardis at very affordable prices, too.
- Catherine says:
I have a love/hate relationship with cardigans. Sometimes I feel encased like a sausage if I wear a cardi over a blouse. I’m OCD about the sleeves. If they bunch up and if too much “shirt sleeve” is showing, it’ll bother me all day. If I wear a cardi alone, the buttons near my tits get kind of weird. My solution is simple. When I wear a cardigan on its own, I wear it backwards. To tell you the truth, I like the way they look with the buttons in the back because A, they buttons don’t get all weird and B. the neckline is higher which hides more of my turkey neck and I like the way any sort of necklace lays on the backwards cardi better.
Oh god, as I’m writing this, I must come off as a complete loon-but it’s true!
I have two favorite cardigans. Both are cashmere because they don’t itch. One is a hot pink number I picked up at J. Crew factory in the bowels of the clearance section for $9.99 and the other a navy that goes with so much. It was purchased at the J. Crew B & M store for 40% off the original price. I have to say, I do like me a nice cardi, pencil skirt and pointy-toed heel look.
Thanks for posting about the cardigan today. It was fun! - The Hipsterette says:
I remember the moment in the 90s when the jacket/blazer had its demise and, all of a sudden, it looked too done and too formal compared to its more relaxed cousin, the cardigan. Hardly a jacket or blazer was to be seen in the workplace – the cardigan reigned supreme!
I love a cardigan, especially and embellished one, but also love the look of a tailored blazer. I hope that these two staples can co-exist – I don’t want to sacrifice one for the other! - LA CONTESSA says:
I spoke to LINDA RODIN once when I went to re-order her OLIOLUSSO!Way back when when she first started out her number was on my bottle!I feel I have spoken to ROYALTY!
I see the CARDI a lot and I think it looks GREAT but I could never wear it!I feel I am TOO TALL and TOO BIG……….I tend to wear the longer versions……..with CHUNKY jewels of course!
I have not received an email notification as of yet………….but it was just a few days ago I signed up AGAIN!Lets see what happens with your next POST!Keep me in mind………..if you don’t hear from me I did not RECEIVE!!
THANK YOU for popping over my way! - nohatnogloves says:
I think you need to be very careful with cardigans. They can make you look completely frumpy unless you pick wisely and they are attracted to excess flesh like magnets. Words that chill: waterfall cardigan.
- Frances/Materfamilias says:
I’ve never given them up, so I’m sitting pretty, ready to be all fashionable!
- The Style Crone says:
Great news. I have lots of vintage cardigans in my closet!
- Winsome says:
You can’t take fashion “experts” seriously[ present company excepted, of course, Alyson….!] When you read that this or that item is “in style/on trend,” it simply means that they have ONLY JUST realised what the rest of us have known for YEARS….! What next, florals in Spring? How daring..!!!
P.S.
Whenever I see a picture of Linda Rodin, I think: what is she doing in my clothes? I have a cardigan just like the one above in MY wardrobe…..!!P.P.S.
Nothing wrong with waterfall cardigans: they add a little “demureness” [i.e] extra coverage]that VERY skinny jeans take away….!
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“the button-fronted knit has been in exile for almost a decade”
Definitely not the case in the US, where for the past 8 years Michelle Obama’s cardigan love has made headlines and driven clothing sales (despite being panned in the fashion press). As I recall she made UK news for daring (shock horror) to wear a cardigan to an audience with the Queen back in 2009. Her love for cardigans did wonders for J.Crew, one of her favored brands – any cardigan of theirs that the First Lady wore in public sold out instantly.