Summer is drawing to a close, and it’s time to think about swapping the light garments of this season for those suited to the in-between weather. If there’s one thing that characterizes these months in terms of style, it’s certainly the layering technique, or as it has always been known, the trick of dressing in layers. In these cases, as important as the base is the pieces that are added to the look and that, in addition to adapting to the weather conditions of the moment, also bring style and personality to your image.
One of those outerwear pieces typical of the in-between season is the cardigan, that staple present in any wardrobe that has not only become an essential item for this season, but is, in fact, a symbol of popular culture (who hasn’t been told at the start of these months, “take a little cardigan, it cools later”?). But the interesting thing about cardigans doesn’t lie exclusively in their potential: behind this garment hides a story of the most interesting where royalty and Hollywood play a fundamental role.
This knitted jacket, generally collarless and buttoned at the front, has for centuries been part of all kinds of outfits. Tracing its origins is, at the very least, complicated, but what we can place in time is the moment when it began to be given its own name. And that, before it became popularized as a cardigan, this garment already carried another name which, on the other hand, is still used today: cardigan. The person responsible for this designation is James Thomas Brudenell, the seventh Earl of the Welsh town of Cardigan who in the nineteenth century took part in the Crimean War wearing this very jacket in every battle.
But, although the term cardigan remains in use, why do our mothers and grandmothers refer to it as “rebeca”? The answer again lies in history, or to be more precise, in cinema. In 1940 Alfred Hitchcock released the film Rebecca, based on the homonymous novel by Daphne du Maurier and starring Joan Fontaine. In it, the protagonist — who, by the way, is not the one who gives the film its name — wears this knitted cardigan in every scene. The garment became so associated with her image that it ended up adopting the film’s title, and thus it has remained to this day.
Over time, the cardigan has adapted to the trends of each season and to the style of each woman who has wanted to make it one of her wardrobe staples, but always without losing that air of sophistication and naivety that captivated so many through the big screen and that were responsible for its success. Nevertheless, it’s fair to name other influential women who also did a great deal to give cardigans their status.
Fotograma de Rebecca, con Joan Fontaine llevando esta chaqueta de punto
One of them was Coco Chanel. The designer conceived this knitted garment as one of those pieces that bring comfort to feminine looks. In fact, her push for the cardigan came decades before the release of Rebecca, which foreshadowed the importance it would eventually reach. Why Chanel chose to champion this knitted jacket is, at the very least, an intriguing story: it all began from her frustration with sweaters that ruined her hairstyle when worn, so she decided to open them up, cut them, and button them until she arrived at what it is today.
The legacy of Coco Chanel, Joan Fontaine and many other fashion trendsetters and cardigan lovers was picked up by the royals. First came Lady Di and her impeccable eighties style, which put it in the spotlight as one of the most effective pieces in any casual-chic wardrobe. Kate Middleton took over from her mother-in-law with that British elegance that characterizes her, while other influential royals in style such as our queen Letizia have known how to adapt it to their own personal essence and get a lot of use out of it.
Lady Di with a cardigan
How to wear cardigans this autumn
Perhaps this cardigan won’t satisfy those who tell you to bundle up, but the truth is that it could not be more fitting for this time of year. Short-sleeve cardigans are a perfect option for days when temperatures start to drop, but it isn’t cold enough yet to justify heavier outerwear. They also look great with both casual and more elevated looks, so you can get a lot of wear out of them.
If you’re unsure how to get the most out of this garment, our tip is to rely on tricks that always work. One of the most effective and yielding the best results is to pair a piece in neutral tones with a touch of red. A cardigan in gray, white, or black will look much more elevated if you introduce in the outfit accessories like scarves, necklaces, or sunglasses in this color that makes all the difference.
The contrast between the classic and the contemporary is another resource worth trying. Pair a simple cardigan, in neutral tones and with a traditional cut, with trendy pieces such as, for example, Capri pants, is the trick to rejuvenate the garment and, as time goes on, keep reusing it.
In case of doubt, the secret is to use the magic formula: cardigan + jeans. Nothing can go wrong if you combine two perennial wardrobe staples of the season, and if you want to give it a more special touch, play with accessories: color-soled shoes, statement bags, or trendy accessories will become your best allies.
