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The cardigan is officially cool again – and these are the best to buy

The cardigan is officially cool again - and these are the best to buy - Getty Images/Chanel/Boden/Erdem
The cardigan is officially cool again - and these are the best to buy - Getty Images/Chanel/Boden/Erdem

The cardigan is something we all have in the back of our wardrobes, but many of us will be lost on how to wear them. They’ve been frumpy, associated with your Grandad and thrown into handbags as a cover up when warm days turn to chilly evenings.

This season, the humble cardigan is reborn as more of a statement, as preppy style turns cool and grandads are on trend. Men, don’t be shy – a classic navy cardi will combat a light chill when it’s too warm for a jumper and too cool for just a t-shirt, and will look a bit edgier than your usual crew neck.

On the catwalk, Erdem had options in both his menswear and womenswear collections, and Hermes’ two-tone blue and burgundy marl option will jazz up any casual outfit.

Chanel’s homemade-looking oversized knits dressed down the house's signature tweed and Molly Goddard’s zip throughs went with slouchy denim and smocked shirts.

Here are the 10 best to buy now…

For women

Arket

Arket have been selling this style of cardigan for a few years now, and there’s a reason why. The boxy shape works well with high waisted trousers and skirt as it hits the hips just right, and it has added nylon and elastane to make it stretchy.

Alpaca and merino cardigan, £69, Arket (arket.com)
Alpaca and merino cardigan, £69, Arket (arket.com)

Alpaca and merino cardigan, £69, Arket

Kitri Studio

Katie Holmes started a huge trend in ‘bra-digans’, with her matching cashmere bra and cardigan set from Khaite in 2019. Off the back of this, many brands are now offering cardigans with co-ordinating tops, which is what Kitri has done with its Anais style.

Cotton cardigan, £125, Kitri (kitristudio.com)
Cotton cardigan, £125, Kitri (kitristudio.com)

Cotton cardigan, £125, Kitri

& Other Stories

If a boxy cardigan is not your style and you prefer something more fitted, consider & Other Stories’ belted version. The contrasting white and navy is a nod to vintage nautical knitwear.

Belted wool cardigan, £75, & Other Stories (stories.com)
Belted wool cardigan, £75, & Other Stories (stories.com)

Belted wool cardigan, £75, & Other Stories

Sandro Paris

A classic houndstooth check will never go amiss – channel Chanel in this longline cover-up from Sandro.

Long houndstooth cardigan, £275, Sandro (sandro-paris.com)
Long houndstooth cardigan, £275, Sandro (sandro-paris.com)

Long houndstooth cardigan, £275, Sandro

Stine Goya

Pair a statement knit with jeans and a t-shirt and let it do the talking. Stine Goya’s colours are neutral enough to work everyday, but the orange cuffs and contrasting stripes make it a little different.

Alpaca wool blend cardigan, £280, Stine Goya (stinegoya.com)
Alpaca wool blend cardigan, £280, Stine Goya (stinegoya.com)

Alpaca wool blend cardigan, £280, Stine Goya

For men

Cos

A real throw it on cosy cardigan, this button up from Cos is certified by the Responsible Wool Standard, which protects the welfare of sheep and their environment.

Ribbed knit wool cardigan, £115, Cos (cosstores.com)
Ribbed knit wool cardigan, £115, Cos (cosstores.com)

Ribbed knit wool cardigan, £115, Cos

Marni at Mr Porter

For the more fashion forward, Marni’s mohair blend cardigans are super soft and this style also comes in blue and pink.

Argyle mohair blend cardigan, £980, Marni (mrporter.com)
Argyle mohair blend cardigan, £980, Marni (mrporter.com)

Argyle mohair blend cardigan, £980, Marni

Paul Smith

Colour blocking is an easy way to introduce more brightness into your wardrobe, and this cardigan does it for you.

Alpaca blend cardigan, £200, Paul Smith (paulsmith.com)
Alpaca blend cardigan, £200, Paul Smith (paulsmith.com)

Alpaca blend cardigan, £200, Paul Smith

John Smedley

For the office, John Smedley’s knits are made from extra fine merino wool so they streamlined, and come in professional colours – this style has 13 different shade options.

Extra fine merino wool cardigan, £195, John Smedley (johnsmedley.com)
Extra fine merino wool cardigan, £195, John Smedley (johnsmedley.com)

Extra fine merino wool cardigan, £195, John Smedley

Folk Clothing

Folk uses a lot of rich textures in its collections, and this cardigan has been made with wool blend yarn, for a softer touch.

Wool blend yarn cardigan, £180, Folk (folkclothing.com)
Wool blend yarn cardigan, £180, Folk (folkclothing.com)

Wool blend yarn cardigan, £180, Folk


Which cardigan takes your pick? Tell us in the comments section below