IF YOU’RE CELEBRATING, DO IT IN A PARTY CARDI
Forget dressy evening wear; a stylish knit is perfect for a festive ‘do, says Stephen Doig
Despite the government’s mind-boggling edict that the office is off limits but parties are a go-go, it’s fair to say events might be somewhat light on the ground this Christmas. As Covid numbers spiral and the spectre of omicron looms large, many an office bash is being cancelled.
Unfortunately, yours truly is a perfect case study of this curtailed Christmas merriment; I caught Covid last week, meaning that two holidays, a festive family trip to London and myriad events have been cancelled (not that I’m complaining; it’s small fry compared with the devastating effect it’s had on others). No one’s more gung-ho about a spot of peacock dressing than me at this time of year
– normally nothing but the full roster of velvet evening jacket, silk scarf and evening slippers will suffice – but it’s likely the diary is going to be less fulsome than expected in the coming weeks. The new roaring
20s? More like the new Great Depression.
Normally, these pages would be full of clothes to be seen in, especially in winter 2021; we’ve spent month upon month in dress-down slouchwear. But as we ease back on the full-throttle approach to socialising, perhaps something more muted is called for. Which is where the party cardi comes into play.
Yes, the cardigan. That knitwear item that’s associated with a kind of sedentary, Sunday afternoon, crumble’s-in-the-oven cosiness. It doesn’t automatically avail itself to cocktail parties, but bear with me. Not for nothing did the Rat Pack’s finest adopt it in the winter months, and there’s a certain après-ski-in-gstaad glamour when worn right, even if you’re round the kitchen table in Gloucestershire. You know they’ve stepped up a notch when James Bond is wearing one.
There are versions beyond the garden variety that elevate things somewhat, and look rather luxurious in their woollen/cashmere heft and depth. The shape’s key here; a shawl collar is a must, because it adds a plushness and apes the formality of a jacket lapel, to a degree. Likewise a weight and gloss to the wool; you want something that could almost be a softer version of a blazer.
Which leads to what to combine it with. Veer towards the smarter end of the scale in this respect. Take a tip from Ralph Lauren; the designer has often cited the razzmatazz of the 1920s as a source of inspiration, pairing cardigans with collared shirts, proper trousers and sleek evening slippers or formal shoes. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, a silk scarf neatly tucked into your shirt, or even a tie, will add extra sartorial oomph. By all means, opt for a Nordic patterned variety, for a kind of hygge cheeriness, but neutral coffee and cream tones, or jewel hues like deep purple or green will also offset the mood nicely. Rules and restrictions may change and vary, but a top-notch cardi will always meet the requirements.