The most versatile garment is a cardigan

Cardigan is a universal part of every wardrobe. One of the simplest warm clothes, the original purpose of which was to warm fishermen, has become the most necessary clothing of the 21st century. The sweater, which began to be sewn from wool, has a straight silhouette, the usual length of which was equal to the jacket worn on top, and to this day retains all these features. However, since this year, as the most necessary home clothing, the cardigan has many variations.

The history of the cardigan

The classic V-neck sweater, buttoned or zipped, is named after the British general Lord Cardigan. According to historians, this arrogant man had not only money, but also excellent taste and a sense of elegance. This is evidenced by his annual expenses for extremely ornate uniforms - about 10 thousand pounds sterling per year. The general received recognition from Queen Victoria herself, after the Crimean War, from which he returned to London leading his army. It was at that moment of glory that the cardigan became an extremely popular garment. The cardigan, which warmed the soldiers so well, was recognized as a practical garment, so it quickly began to be mass-sewn in factories and became the main warming garment for thousands of British people.

In the late 19th century, the Harvard University baseball team in the United States decorated their V-neck sweaters with an "H", and over time, this cut of the sweater became very popular among British professors and students. Coco Chanel also contributed to the popularity of cardigans, who in the 1920s created a women's cardigan and matched it with a straight-cut skirt.

Interesting fact: In Spanish, a cardigan is called rebeca . The cardigan was named after the release of Alfred Hitchcock's film "Rebeca," in which the character of the same name wore exactly this sweater.

What's new on the cardigan front?

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, fashion this year has become more focused on home space and versatility, where the same garment is suitable for both working from home and going out, and that is exactly what the cardigan is. So what are the features of this cozy garment as 2021 begins?

Large buttons, which become a bright accent of the cardigan. The latter are quite large, round, sometimes decorated with pearls, mica or imitating wood. The length of the cardigan has significantly shortened since last season. A cardigan that reaches the waist or barely reaches it is one of the most common in the winter season collections or, on the contrary, a large, wide and freely falling one. Already in the cardigans of the spring collections there were a lot of ornate embroidered details, which are fashionable in winter as well.

Those who want to correct their figure will like cardigans with a deep neckline, which are suitable for all body types, as they create a pleasing, harmonious image and visually lengthen the silhouette. Also fashionable are puffed cardigan sleeves, which add a touch of luxury and elegance. The latter make even the simplest combination with jeans more interesting due to eye-catching sleeves, which also emphasize the hourglass figure or can help shape it.

When choosing a cardigan color, you should pay attention to pastel and earthy colors, and the hit of the season can be called white. When choosing a color, always match it to your hair and skin tone, which will determine whether to choose pastel and earthy colors in warmer or cooler tones. White also has many shades and you can choose it warmer or cooler, depending on what you want to emphasize in your features.

Since last year, with sustainability becoming a hot topic, more attention has been paid to the fibers used to make cardigans. If you want a more luxurious cardigan that will last for more than one season, cashmere is definitely the best choice. If you care about the environment but change your clothes more often, choose recycled fibers or simply natural materials.

How to wear a cardigan?

For those who want to add more elegance to their look, a cardigan should be worn with a wide belt - this way the waist is emphasized and the cardigan replaces a jacket. The combination of a cardigan, girded with a belt, with a dress and cowboy boots is already becoming a classic.

Those who are constantly cold will love the idea of ​​wearing two cardigans one on top of the other. This street fashion trend will keep you warm even on a very cold winter day. Just make sure to match the cardigans: the cardigan worn underneath should be shorter if one of the cardigans is printed, while the other should be plain and neutral.

An elegant and eye-catching choice is the combination of a cardigan and a large collar. The latter can be either a wide shirt collar or a lapel collar, which only creates the illusion that you are wearing a shirt underneath. Massive collars decorate, but at the same time they overshadow the rest of the outfit, so choose a neutral, solid-colored cardigan for such combinations.

Do you have a cardigan that reaches your hips? Tuck the front into your pants, then pull it out a little so that the cardigan falls more freely and forms a slight pleat, without looking tucked into the waistband of your pants and without hiding your waist - this will make you look slimmer.

Want to update your favorite cardigan that you've been wearing for more than one season? Change the buttons. In general, you should always pay attention to buttons. Cardigans purchased in fast fashion stores are betrayed by two things - poorly sewn buttons (this is typical even for more luxurious brands, because buttons are not sewn by hand, but by a special machine that simply wraps the end of the thread around the button, so as soon as you buy a sweater, check each button and tighten it additionally) and the composition (a quality cardigan should be made of pure or blended wool, cotton, and should not lose its shape when worn, if it has one).

Where to find inspiration for cozy combinations with a cardigan? Although cardigans are accompanying many celebrities this year, their most loyal fans are fashionista Hailey Bieber, designer Alexa Chung, singer Selena Gomez.

2020 is called the year of the cardigan - it is one of the most purchased clothes in the past year, and this is proven by online searches. This garment is unlimited in the abundance of combinations and new silhouettes. It is likely that even more cardigans have appeared in our wardrobes this year. And let it be - it is a garment that perfectly combines warmth, comfort and style.