How to wear the comeback cardigan
The humble button-up is making a major comeback this season, writes Meadhbh McGrath
The cardigan has fallen out of favour in recent years. Once considered a chic cover-up, somewhere along the way it lost catwalk cachet, began to gather dust and has been confined to the back of the closet for several seasons. It looks like that’s all set to change for autumn/winter. On the catwalks, the humble button-up was the knit of choice. The most lust-worthy versions were showcased at Prada, where models layered cardigans embellished with floral beading over angora knit pencil skirts and fuzzy coordinating tops. They came in rich shades of turquoise and ochre, with contrasting embroidery, and quickly racked up waiting lists. Miu Miu offered similarly opulent knits, in a more fitted, cropped silhouette with puffed sleeves that harkened back to the 1940s. At Gucci, creative director Alessandro Michele put an urban twist on the luxe librarian look by covering cardigans with a spray-painted version of the label’s logo. Other designers presented a deconstructed take, including Victoria Beckham and Christopher Kane, who loaded up the sleeves with pockets, buttoned them up the wrong way and paired them with dressy lace and jacquard skirts.
In a time when Instagram models like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid have dialled the nearly-naked look up to a 10, there’s some comfort in the idea of fashion that doesn’t shriek “look at me”. Consider the 2017 cardie as the anti-fashion statement: a comfy, indulgent treat that works for almost every occasion.
It’s a must for Irish women tackling this season’s return to glamour: an oversized cardigan will easily temper a silky slip dress, patent pencil skirt or vinyl trousers, while giving sheer pieces a demure polish.
At the office, follow Victoria Beckham’s lead and team yours with a pleated midi skirt and knee-high boots. It’s completely covered-up (a nod to the modesty trend) without looking prim, and very now.
Jessica Chastain (right) opted for a grey cardigan with appliques and sequins to add an eclectic touch to this season’s checks, and the granny chic mix of a cosy knit and a form-fitting silhouette will effortlessly take the look from desk to drinks.
The cardigan also comes in handy on the weekends. Invest in an embellished buttonup and you can instantly give jeans, T-shirt and trainers an on-trend update.