Once seen as dowdy, the cardigan is enjoying a renaissance, with Taylor Swift even penning a song about the knitwear favourite last year.
There’s a huge array to consider. Block colours – particularly in autumnal shades, such as rust or mustard – are a good place to start. Designs with a V-neck might suit those over a D-cup.
Cardigans aren’t just classic, though. They can bring something playful to a weekday outfit. Old-fashioned knits found secondhand provide a cute and cosy feel. Quirky brands like Cinta are worth looking at on rental sites.
Treasures can be found in vintage stores and online. Think of channelling Nancy Mitford in a classic twinset, Marilyn Monroe on the beach in something more chunky, or Mad Men’s Betty Draper.
Lauren Cochrane
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Buy
Green checked, £25.99, Zara.com
Wear a cropped cardigan buttoned up over a polo-neck dress
Rust red, £180, sheepinc.com
A seamless knit, made using zero-waste, solar-powered machines
Navy aran, £110, peregrineclothig.co.uk
100% merino wool, made in England
Rent
Blue V-neck, £25 FOR TWO WEEKS, baukjen.com
Elevate your work wardrobe with a classic blue cardigan – perfect with a white shirt
Pink embroidered, £15 for four days, by Cinta the Label, rotaro.com
Style a cute vintage-inspired knit with wide-leg jeans
Pastel striped, from £45, endlesswardrobe.com
Opt for a fun, embellished style for evening looks
Thrift
Preloved yellow Vivienne Westwood, £85, peekaboovintage.com
For a 90s look, opt for a thin knit and wear buttoned up with a leather skirt
Navy and orange, £39.95, goldsmithvintage.com
Wear a sporty style over a jumpsuit with trainers
Brown and cream Nordic, £25, onescoopstore.com
Patterned and oversized, perfect for autumn walks
