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?

It's also true that it's all about age and the look you like, a lot of young women wear 'dated' cardigans in an ironic way, often paired with 'dated' floral skirts...(similar to librarian chic). This only works if you are young and beautiful, if you are older it can look like you are wearing this unironically, which is not a crime, but it may be a fashion mistake.

It’s beautiful and flattering

It’s obviously a fashion mistake a lot of people are making because it’s sold out. I really like it, the colour’s very pretty.

It's lovely so I'm glad I snapped it up! I have it in yellow as well but this is my fave

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

Aren't the arms ridiculously long? They look too long even on the model, who I assume is tall.

Btw I'd rather someone say I dress mumsy over having a "dad bod"!

Why?

Those waist-defining cardigans are definitely taking over from the boxy ones. I quite like the more streamlined fit.

Cause clothes are easier to change than bodies.

The sleeves are long- don’t know about the model’s arms! A lot of the sleeves on other cardigans are too. Don’t think they’re meant for doing a days hard work in. It’s the body shape I like, so elegant. They wouldn’t look like that in me, though!

My DD says my clothes are mumsy (not trendy) and my DH tells dad jokes (cheesy). It’s gently mocking in both cases rather than unpleasant. Frumpy is more judgemental but I still wouldn’t say vitriolic. I’d never say my friend Jane is frumpy as that would be mean, but I think I’m ok to say slouchy cardigans are frumpy imo. It’s just an opinion on knitwear.

@Zov Yes if is. It ticks the layering box for earlier than mid summer. It’s a useful piece for chillier evenings - but not midsummer. Definitely ok instead of a chunkier cardigan.

Plus I said earlier I wasn’t sure about the floral cadi. Just seen the Bernadette ones on Net-A-Porter. They look great.

@BIossomtoes Sold out might mean they have been selling it all winter! However pastel shade is spring. Not a huge fan of lilac - pale yellow is better right now, but it’s got similarities to the waisted look of ballerina cardis I referred to earlier. Either short and boxy or nipped in/wrap around.

It's very MN to have so many heated posts about cardigans

I've tried everything in cardigans over the years, and I'm more or less done with them now. I agree with the posts upthread that shorter and more structured can work, I'm also in the market for a ballet cardigan, but they're not quite so cardigany.

The cardigan that I see everywhere and don't like, is the chunky, 'fun' hand knit one with oversized cuffs that half-cover the hands just so, on the countless female artists/potters/makers/writers of instagram, clutching mags of tea with a whimsical smile as they lean in the doorway of their lockdown garden studio.

@Camteria as a short woman, I have had to accept all attempts to look whimsical, Scandi or otherwise in wool are simply not happening for me. Cardis make me look chunky, so do most jumpers. I wear thermals all the time and try to style out winter. I would love to drape things, but I just don't think that works on short-arses!

Ooh I bloody love a cardi! I have loads - pretty little cropped ones, long ones, chunky ones, short sleeves, long sleeves, ones with hoods, ones with pockets... Always take one out with me in summer "just in case" 😁

What I don't understand, when I see these cardigan discussion threads, is what people think the superior alternatives are? What's so fantastic about eg a hoodie, a woolly jumper, a jacket, a blazer?? I mean, I think a cardigan looks much better than any of those, and it allows people to see your gorgeous shirt that would be completely hidden by many other outer garments. Love me a cardi.

That is a great cardigan 👏

I really hope they are not considered a fashion mistake. I always wear a cardigan in the milder weather in spring, summer and autumn when it's too warm for a coat. I have a seriously large collection of cardigans 😂

A lightweight kimono-type thing. I have a couple of thin patterned silk ones from Jigsaw a few years ago that are great for this.

This is one of the prints. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286908767303

Thanks. It said handwash on the website, which is silly as people like me would never buy anything which was handwash only.

@IMustDoMoreExercise Why? Do you not have a sink? Better than dry clean only!

@SubstanceWhat I find on S&B, that confounds me, is how little S&B with a modern take there is. Of course a cardigan is fine! It could have a hood. Nothing wrong with a blazer, a pullover or a jacket if the look is right. I think some of those are casual and some uplift a look more but it depends what you are going for and what the weather is. Plus what’s going under it? A dress, cami or long sleeve t shirt? Wearing it with jeans or a ball gown type skirt? It matters doesn’t it!

I like cardigans too, I have quite a lot, both for winter and summer wear. They are very versatile items of clothing.

What is S&B?