How to recognise it
The front opens, buttons run the full length, the neck is V or round, the edges ribbed. It can be cropped to the waist, hip length or long to the knee, fitted or loose.
Where it comes from
The name comes from the Earl of Cardigan, a British officer whose troops wore buttoned knitted waistcoats in the Crimean War in 1854. Coco Chanel turned the cardigan into an elegant women's garment.
Who and when it suits
A handy layer for the office, travel and cool evenings: over a blouse, a T-shirt or a dress. Buttoned up, it is worn as a sweater.
Variations and look-alikes
It comes cropped, hip length or long to the knee, fine or chunky, V or round neck, belted or not. A Chanel-style trimmed cardigan suits the office, a chunky cable one the weekend. It differs from a sweater in buttoning down the front.
How to style it
- Buttoned and tucked in as a sweater.
- Draped over the shoulders for a classic look.
- Belted when long.
- A long cardigan stands in for a light coat.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01Where does the word cardigan come from?
From the British Earl of Cardigan, whose troops wore buttoned knitted waistcoats in the Crimean War.
02Is a cardigan office-appropriate?
Yes, a fine one in a quiet colour over a blouse or shirt.