What to wear right now: a cardigan (or two)
Photos: Claire Pepper
The cardigan has a military background. Named after the Seventh Earl of Cardigan, James Thomas Brudenell (1797-1868) who wore a knitted wool, collarless jacket to lead the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava, in 1854. Apparently, the army general was a man of great style and arrogance who spent 10 grand a year on new uniforms for his soldiers and introduced the extra knitted layer to stave off the cold. Same here. The Fake Spring From the South has well and truly disappeared…
One cardigan or two?
I’m a firm believer in ‘practising’ style. Experimenting with clothes, putting things on and taking them off again to find the ultimate feel-good outfit, is a simple technique we can all work on. And this season I’m mostly practising layering. First coats, now cardigans. When wearing two similar items over each other, make sure there is a symmetry and that the first garment is smaller than the second so that the two sit together well. Otherwise there may well be a Sleeve Struggle. Another focus is colour consideration, for the latest gentlewomanly outfit I’ve chosen my perennial favourite combination: khaki and navy. The cardigans (one old, one new) are different but compatible shades of green.
During the 20th century the cardigan went from practical and preppy to Hollywood glamour. Coco Chanel created the jersey cardigan suit (a relaxed jacket and pleated, knee skirt) in the 1920s, introducing the garment to women; a couple of decades later Brigitte Bardot wore her knitwear over a Breton top and pencil skirt, while Grace Kelly often layered a cashmere cardigan over a dress. There are many ways to wear the versatile cardigan (and my next look may involve a boiler suit), but with its army green colour and heavy lambswool yarn, my new cardigan harks back to the garment’s military beginnings.
Style details: the top cardigan is from MHL, a birthday gift from Mr That’s Not My Age (good lad). The Breton striped top is Jigsaw. The cashmere cardi underneath is a very old Land’s End gift from my fashion editor days (approximately 20 years ago), the navy cotton trousers are from Rag & Bone (bought about 15 years ago in New York), the white leather Chelsea boots were a gift from Hobbs (from their A/W collection and no longer available).
Hair & makeup: Louise Heywood.
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Discussion (38 Comments)
Mrs Tonia says:
I do love the green cardies. Especially the wool top layer one. Would wear that happily. Mr TNMA a good gift giver clearly or happy to be steered in right direction.
Layering of different weights of knitwear a really good idea in changeable weather. And I like the two tones of green side by side Something I do myself.
And that you are shopping your closet/wardrobe and demonstrating how good clothing one already has can look when it is styled in a modern way.
No white boots or shoes for me however be they cowboy boots or box fresh trainers. Feet too big and it is not my thing even if it’s a thing right now.Boadicea says:
What a great outfit! Love the double cardi theme and those boots nicely ‘tail’ the white in your top. But like Elizabeth, those booties are absolute Not Ons for me too. But if they do suit you, they look good. And they do suit you, Alyson, so you look really good!
Olivia says:
Never thought to put khaki and navy together, but that really works with the pop of white, I don’t have white boots but have a white belt, and other bits. I like the idea of experimenting, and love layers. So a yes from me!
Isobel says:
First of all, Alyson, I hope you’re on the mend and that the lurgy doesn’t linger. And WOW – I love, love, love this look! You have the best olive green cardigan(s) on the whole of the internet… I know, because I’ve just spent hours searching!! Can’t match this yet, with what I’ve got, but I have hung my navy and white Breton stripe under my mid-olive, v-neck jumper and deeper olive, lightweight carcoat, ready for the first blustery, autumn day here! Great photos of you, including the instagram one. (Oh, and I’ll be wearing sneakers with my outfit.)
Angela says:
Love these posts. Big fan of khaki and navy too. I bought some white boots like yours last year (brave choice for me) but find they really elevate my usual jeans and jumper look, especially if i throw on my best (mustard) coat! Keep the great ideas coming.
Gabrielle says:
Laughed my socks off when I saw this: Breton striped top, check; two cardigans, check (mine are pink and burgundy); jeans, check – sadly no white boots, but wouldn’t be averse, pink and grey trainers instead. Was there a memo somewhere? Loving your look, as ever.
Claire B says:
I have a blue and white Breton top from Jigsaw and an olive green cardigan from Warehouse. I never thought to wear them together but now I will – I love this look. And two cardigans together is inspired!
Maisie says:
I love cardigans and have quite a collection, old and not so old. I’d never thought of wearing two together, but even though long past the menopause I tend to get rather overheated so perhaps not ! Looks good on you, Alyson, as do the white boots, but not for me !
I love cardigans and have worn them a lot over the years, still do – one or two are very old. I have never layered them, you have inspired me to have a play to see what they will look like. your white boots are really cool. I’ve tried a few pairs on, but they didn’t feel right. I will keep on looking – quite like the kitten heel on yours. fab!
AlisonBrigitte says:
You’ve changed my life with your green/blue look. It’s a colour combo that I love but never known how to put it together. I also appreciate your casual, realistic look which is right up my alley. Thank you.
Andrea Russell says:
This is an interesting option – I am 54 and always feel a ‘cardi’ makes me look ‘middle aged’ even my Mother 83 mentions the aging effect of said garment… I do have a couple of exceptions – one is a bright bubblegum pink one with cream ‘penny’ buttons (ancient from Boden) that is V necked and I wear as a top (so nothing under it). The other is a delicate cashmere and silk number in cream that looks lovely over a longer vest top – its a bit Grace Kelly if you add a signature necklace or scarf.
I do however look this look – like everyone else I think it’s the greens… I will have a trawl through the Charity shops to see what they have as a low cost experiment!Gill says:
Alyson, you look amazing. I often wore two cardigans when I was working with a straight skirt. Sometimes toning colours other times contrasting..
The green looks really really good on you – it makes the colour of your eyes pop out. Stunning and casual look which is fab!
Thanks for more inspiration.
Corinne Clemson says:
Just bought a lovely red cashmere Cardi from M&S and contemplating getting the orange sweater to go under it as a “brights” take on the traditional twin set. Looks good with a white t shirt too.
This is a look I can try – xcept for the boots! The way I move around, they would be dingy in no time!
FYI: the makeup is beautiful – well done!Lizzie says:
I think I agree with the majority- the white boots look great on you, Alyson, but absolutely not on me. I would feel my feet looked huge and would be miserable thereby – only white shoes on my radar are Converse in summer because I think sandals look awful on me as well ……. don’t like feet, to be honest, not nearly as adorable as my cat’s paws.
jill shooter says:
This looks so sharp!
I hesitate to wear a cardi, too worried about the ‘mumsy’ look. Maybe I’ll revisit it?Susan says:
I am so impressed with how old some of your clothes are. And without moth holes! How do you decide to keep and what to give away?
I have had moths in the past Susan, so now I am paranoid (!) and all my knitwear is in a large plastic box from Muji with plenty of lavender/moth repellent sachets. Not taking any risks! That’s a good question regarding what to keep and what to give away, Maybe it could be a blog post…
Oh the moth problem. Too many lovely olive green jumpers and cardigans, especially the nicest ones from Brora have been attacked. I’ve tried sealed plastic boxes and every type of moth proofing sachet from herbal to poison. Now I’m following advice on Brora website about use of the freezer, in plastic bag, before washing and putting away.
Darning skills have been dusted down referring to diagrams in Make Do and Mend facsimile book. And I got finally from John Lewis department store a darning mushroom to make it easier. Trying to salvage what I can. And keep treasured garments going a bit longer.
Dharma Rahkonen says:
I’m a cardigan lover. I say there is mo such thing as too many cardigans. But tone on tone looks fabulous, why had I not thought of that?
I ADORE THIS LOOK ON YOU!
FASCINATING HISTORY about THE CARDIGAN!LOVE THESE TIDBITS!
When are YOU coming to CALIFORNIA?Toomanyshoes says:
Just love this look. I’m a khaki convert and love a cardi too. However I do exercise cardi restraint since a particularly poisonous exchange with then teenage son a few years back where he cut me to the core with “ I’m sick of you and your middle class cardigans”. Ouch!!!
Jeanne says:
I love this look and the fact much of your outfit is old. That’s how my closet is, but probably could use some purging. So many older clothes seem better than what’s out there now, in the same price range. I love your cardi colors and perfect with the blue. Spinning my wheels on how I can copy this look with my wardrobe.
Jodi Brown says:
I love khaki, although not too keen on other greens.
This looks so smart and relaxed at the same time. Much better than a jacket which might provide too much bulk. Trousers are lovely also.Alice says:
So nice to see 20 year old clothes being styled on a blog (in contrast to some that seem to think 5 years is ‘old’). I’ve a theory that there is a crunch point where you can tire of them, but if you ride it out they can suddenly become a favourite again. I’ve got plenty 20 years + old favourites.
Cynthia says:
I agree with Alice…nice to see clothes over 5 years old styled by Alyson in such a chic way! I teach college in Houston, TX, and often mix in older items with newer ones…my students are always amazed to hear some of my clothes are as old as they are…I try to encourage them to shop their …and their mothers’ ….closets before rushing to the local mall.
Carolyn says:
I love cardis and wear one every day. I think I have about 20 but not counted. Never thought of wearing two as I think I would boil even though mine are nearly all cotton.
They are great and can be dressed up or down. Mostly mine are plain so I can wear pattered blouses or t shirtsAna says:
What is the difference between pullover, sweater and jumper? I understand a cardigan has buttons on the front, but I can’t find a significant difference between the aforementioned words; do you use all the words in everyday talk? I don´t need to mention that I am not a native speaker. Khaki and blue, what a lovely combination!
lizzie g says:
as a sheep farmer’s daughter and sister, its great to see you promoting wool. do people realise it costs more for farmers to shear sheep than what they are paid for the wool, it is so little now. (and then see the price of that lovely cardi) . please please lets support both the environment (avoid plastic microfibres) and the farmers by buying and wearing more pure new wool.
Lucy says:
As a knitter and hotly flushing menopausal (how I found my way here, on one of your other posts) I am branching into making cardigans. I’m currently working on one in gorgeous Wensleydale longwool (echoing the sentiments in the last comment) in a rich shade of aubergine, which tones beautifully with lighter, dustier purples, lilacs etc as well as neutrals.
I couldn’t imagine wearing two cardigans at once, though you look great in yours; as well as the personal thermostat problems, we’ve also lately moved into an always-warm new-build wooden house, and with mild Brittany winters and hot summers I never seem to be cold any more. I rather miss it.
Joyce Morris says:
If you can’t be bothered to be taking stuff on and off for experimenting with what you already have and, let’s face it, it does result in a sweaty Betty episode! using a hanger, or two, is the next best thing and something I often do. Doesn’t mean to say that once they are actually on the old, porky frame they look as good as they did on the hanger, but it’s a start.
kathryn 
AnnaA 
Barb Thompson 
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Never would have thought to wear 2 cardigans but this looks really sharp. Especially for cool spring weather. I’m definitely going to steal this idea. 🙂
Those white boots looks good on you. But I just can’t stomach them on me. Every time I’ve tried to wear white boots, I feel like everyone’s looking at my feet. Which is completely irrational and silly, I know. But you can’t wear something that makes you feel self-conscious and white boots make me feel self-conscious.