Knitwear: “Nobody ever looked sexy in a cardigan”

Images: Free People. The top left photo shows a metallic grey jumper, the top right a pink neon sweater, the bottom left & right crochet nude coloured jumpers, paired on the left with on-trend pastel jeans.

I’m currently struggling as to whether it really is true that “nobody has ever looked sexy in a cardigan”. It is a debate on which I would like to gather opinions. The above quote was announced by a male friend during a recent conversation about items of knitwear.

Personally, I’ve always loved cardigans, although only cardigans of a certain type – certainly no ‘shrugs’; I bought one a while back, it was a rather fetching lavender Ted Baker number, worn once for a wedding and swiftly returned.

I like a standard, ‘wear with anything’ cardigan to sit at waist length, or longer depending on the outfit. It should, in most cases be neutral in colour, comfortable in texture and small enough to fit under a coat. I am also fond of a big cardigan, a ‘hobo’ cardigan, one with big buttons and a cable texture, paired with shorts, tights and boots.

However, battling over whether the humble cardigan can be sexy… I’m inclined to say no… it can’t. But does that matter? Do I want to be sexy when I’m wearing a cardigan… again, I’m inclined to say that actually, no I don’t.

Further, I don’t feel the need to look ‘sexy’ on a daily basis, it goes back to the age old debate of whether women dress for men or whether women dress for other women, or the third option, the woman who chooses to dress for herself. Of course, there are some women who do dress for men, most dress for other women and the most confident among the female gender, they dress for themselves.

Truth be told, a cardigan is a staple wardrobe item, worn well and it can look fashionable, oozing effortless cool. It can also look terrible, dowdy and unflattering. Ladies, choose your cardigans well, and who cares whether you look remotely ‘sexy’.

Despite all this, in recent seasons cardigans have been firmly off the fashion radar, with designers and high street stores favouring the mighty blazer as a trendier option, or the cosy jumper.

This Autumn/Winter season has been no different, knitted jumpers have been everywhere and will continue to dominate into the Spring. Whether you pair it with jeans, shorts or over a cute day dress, fashion kudos definitely sit with the jumpers. To be immediately on-trend go for sorbet colours, metallics or if you dare – neon brights.

Hanging onto your unsexy cardigans? A cute sugary sweet pastel colour styled up with shorts and pumps, when the weather gets a touch warmer will keep you on trend for spring, alternatively, opt for jeans in a complimenting washed out hue.

Knitwear Picks:

From top by row: Topshop pastel pink, Topshop tweed fleck, Topshop neon slubby, Aubin and Wills stripe sweater, J Crew neon pink, Miss Selfridge silver knit