FOUR WAYS TO WEAR… A CARDIGAN

This week, Caroline Leaper turns a comfort staple into a stylish essential

If, to you, a beige cotton cardigan sounds like a boring fashion prospect, then you’re not wearing it right. The staple cardie has long been dismissed as “grannified” comfort clothing, but with a few accessories and some clever styling tricks, it has the potential to be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe.

Here’s how I wear mine: Rib-trimmed cotton cardigan, £69 (cosstores.com)

Out for drinks

Think you can’t wear a cardigan in a glamorous setting? Treat it like a top (or wear a silk camisole underneath), then tuck it into smart trousers and allow it to drop just slightly off the shoulder. I’ve added gold and silver accessories to ensure that the look reads definitely as “evening”. Mango trousers, Kurt Geiger shoes, Sandro bag, Cornelia Webb earrings

Afternoon tea

Looking pulled together is easiest when the cardigan is done up. A key consideration is always which top to wear underneath: I chose a simple V-neck, rather than a collared blouse, this time to balance out the fuss of my decorative belt and floral pleated skirt.

River Island belt, DKNY bag, vintage skirt, Marks & Spencer shoes

Casual weekend

There’s nothing wrong with just throwing on an undone cardigan over jeans and a T-shirt when you want to feel cosy. This is my easy sartorial go-to for Saturday brunch, and I would happily swap the mules for trainers if I wanted a preppier look, too. Paige jeans, Marks & Spencer shoes

At work

The office is the one place that I think cardigans have the greatest chance of looking stuffy. Adding a glossy patent leather belt around the waist, though, eliminates that problem and alters the proportions of the look for an entirely different silhouette: I wouldn’t wear this outfit without it. Me+em trousers, Hobbs shirt, Reserved shoes, Saint Laurent belt