Are cardigans really a fashion mistake, or still practical for summer layering?

[Janey90]

With summer hopefully approaching, I realise I have a fair few cardigans in my wardrobe. Ideal for when I need an extra layer that isn’t too stiff or structured. And there are plenty on sale in the shops too. So is it really a fashion mistake to wear a cardigan, and if so, what is the alternative?

Really? I don't know many mums who'd wear a 'fuck' cardigan!
https://hades-shop.co.uk/collections/cardigans/products/carrington-cardigan-black-silver-fu-k

I have to wear cardigans in public as my arms are covered in self harm scars from 30 odd years ago when I was 14.

I couldn’t give two shits about them and never notice them, but the general public are nosey, inconsiderate batards and if I don’t wear one, you can guarantee people will stare (I don’t care much about that, I just wave) or they will try to touch them and ask me about them or tell me my children aren’t safe with me, which I very much do mind.

So cardigans it is.

I love cardigans. They can be stylish or fun, long or short, plain or print. They don’t have to be the type your great aunt wore. Designers sell cardigans that go for £1,500 plus.

The ballerina wrap is back with a bang for 2026 too. Lovely soft pastels!

Gosh some people! I was talking to someone at a job once and saw her arm was covered in cut scars, I wouldn’t have dreamt of asking her about them or even acknowledge them. That is her story to tell or not to tell. There are some lovely cardigans about though as they are no longer seen as frumpy.

I bought a white one with abstract embroidered red and black floral pattern in a sale, can't return it now so hope I can get away with wearing it

I bought a white one with abstract embroidered red and black floral pattern in a sale, can't return it now so hope I can get away with wearing it

I would totally disagree with your second paragraph. Hip or covering the bum cardigans with leggings can be a great look! The same cardigan over a mid thigh skirt or dress worn with black tights and boots is also a great look.

@lovescats3 Well no one is going to say anything are they? If you like it - fine. It would go with white jeans wouldn’t it?

Cardigans are back in anyway. Just make sure it’s a nice one rather than a sloppy worn out or prim one.

I can usually tell what is ‘in’ because when I sell them on Vinted they go in minutes. Right now it’s cutesy/cottagey cardigans, tie front blouses, gingham and anything ‘corseted’ in style - I’m assuming because of Wuthering Heights.

I would suggest something like this for spring layering.

It would be grubby in no time

@Savonne · Today 09:50

People who wear cardigans probably have bunches, wear dungarees and post happy birthdays to dead people on Facebook

I know you were away wiping the tears streaming down your cheeks at how totes hilaire (you believed) this comment was.

However. It was...

Not funny.

Not true.

I wear a cardigan (half the time,) and I do not wear dungarees, or post 'happy birthday' messages to dead people on Facebook. And I certainly do not have 'bunches.' In fact, I don't know anyone over 15 who has 'bunches.'

Everyone else I know who wears a cardigan sometimes does not fit that description either.

I would love to see how YOU dress.

That looks more like a jacket than a cardigan.

Frumpy means unflattering and/or old fashioned. Whether something is frumpy is a matter of opinion. The validity of the adjective is not. It’s in the dictionary and is well used and understood.

Dad bod
dad jokes

What @Blossomtoes is saying - I think - is that the word 'frumpy' has become meanlingless on here (and in general) because people use it to describe ANY clothing or fashion they don't like, and don't regard as 'trendy.'

Like, only what they and the people in their social circle wear is 'trendy,' and anyone who dares deviate from that, (and from what the fashion 'experts' tell us we should be wearing,) and wears something a bit ordinary, is 'frumpy' or 'mumsy.'

Horrible, belittling, misogynistic words!

!

There just isn't the same unpleasantness to those as there is with frumpy and mumsy. They don't tend to be deployed with the same disdain and vitriol. IME.

I wouldn’t worry. They’ll be back in fashion in a few minutes anyway.

@thedevilinablackdress , I don't hear 'disdain and vitriol'. Mumsy to me isn't a slur on mums, more like a description of someone who might look like a mother of someone my age.

A mumsy might describe a tv mum like Sally Webster or Sue Brockman, Barbara in The Royle Family, or Lynda Bellingham in All Creatures Great and Small.

It can seem benign , but not when used in a "God no don't wear X, it's so mumsy" way.

Yes I bought an M&S one last year, worn it a lot

i hate jackets indoors or at work, feel uncomfortable

cardi is comfortable and comforting

It's interpretation.

There are some things which are currently a fashion mistake or rather, not currently fashionable (extremely tight skinny jeans, for example).

Cardigans are not one of them. They can look very 'in' with the right other clothes or shoes, or a bit 'out' (certain older style patterns, perhaps with tight skinny jeans).

I don't think they are ever truly 'out' though, and I have a lovely small wool grey one I'm wearing over tight black ribbed tops with baggier jeans and I think it looks great.

https://www.asos.com/gina-tricot/gina-tricot-fitted-waist-knitted-cardigan-in-light-blue/prd/210389143

Just recently bought this. It looks gorgeous.

Did not know they were meant to be a fashion mistake (not that I would care!)