Modern fashion trends change every year. The new is replaced by the well-forgotten old, and a stylish knitted cardigan is proof of this. To choose the best option for yourself, you need to study the most popular models. It is also advisable to learn about the varieties of this wardrobe item, the materials used, knitting methods and techniques, interesting additions, unique color solutions.
Popular models
Before moving on to the intricacies of the products, you should familiarize yourself with the models that are currently in trend. After all, fashion does not stand still, almost every day unique and sometimes priceless solutions appear for women. There is a suitable thing for any style.
Oversized
Oversize cardigans are practical items, ideal for everyday use. Distinguishing features: loose cut, soft demi-season fabrics, delicate shades. Often, representatives of the fair sex use them as home clothes.
For older ladies, this type of product will be inappropriate. Oversize cardigans are more suitable for young girls, giving them lightness in the image, fragile notes. Ideally combined with high-heeled shoes.
Direct
The straight cardigan's silhouette resembles a light short coat. It will be relevant at the beginning of autumn or at the end of spring. Especially popular are products of dark colors and large knitting - they give their owners charm and elegance, will become excellent protection in moments of unexpected gusts of chilly wind.
What is the difference between a straight cardigan and other models:
- Length, most often below the hip. It can be said that this is the most distinctive feature of straight products.
- Lack of a fitted waist. The product has a loose silhouette, which will perfectly match a wide belt.
Straight items reaching to the middle of the calf or ankle are more often the choice of young girls. The models allow you to create an amazing light image.
Fitted
Fitted cardigans are the exact opposite of shapeless, short models. The items cannot boast the same length as straight styles. Fitted models are universal, they will suit both an aggressive urban style (skinny jeans, a dark turtleneck, sneakers) and an elegant airy dress or skirt. Many girls often take such large-knit cardigans with them during trips to nature: the items are warm, comfortable, and do not take up much space.
Many people think that fitted items are not suitable for older women. But this is not true, such a cardigan often becomes the choice of older ladies.
Coat
The main difference of the cardigan coat is its light weight and sufficient size. Often the length of such products reaches the ankle of the fashionista, and knitting is most often large. The absence of lining does not affect the protective functions - the coat remains warm, gentle, while adding casual elegance to its owner. More expensive models are cardigan coats with fur inserts, collars or completely covered with this expensive material. But the price is not the main thing when an item of clothing creates a unique image of a powerful representative of blue bloods.
Poncho
Poncho cardigans are a convenient and practical solution, which differs from the original models by the absence of a wide neck. Also, the products do not have a zipper or fastener, and in their appearance they are more reminiscent of a spacious robe. Pros of a poncho:
- A lot of different patterns, which allows you to choose a cardigan-poncho for almost any outfit. But most of all they are combined with shirts, straight, worn jeans.
- Versatility. Plain items are suitable for a classic style of clothing, and robes with fringe or laces will become a highlight of an outfit chosen for a party with friends.
- They hide figure flaws perfectly.
A poncho cardigan is often the choice of plump ladies over 50 years old. This type of clothing allows you to hide excess weight, create an aura of respectability around its owner. It is ideally combined with a wide belt made of soft material.
Cape
A cardigan-cape is a good autumn option - a type of cape made of thick material that will protect its owner from sharp gusts of wind or sudden frost. This item goes well with all tapered and fitted items. For example, a look consisting of a cardigan, comfortable leggings and jockey boots or any other high-heeled shoes looks great. This does not mean that this type of model does not go with more revealing outfits. You can choose a stylish skirt for a short cape, but with one condition: its length should not be longer than the length of the cardigan. This model is successfully chosen by both young representatives of the fair sex and older ladies. Another advantage of such clothes is a harmonious combination with various accessories, for example, long gloves and wide-brimmed hats.
Capes were first introduced in England in the 17th century as a convenient clothing option for a country with such a capricious climate. Later, at the beginning of the 18th century, they first appeared in Russia, but here they were called salops and for some reason did not become widely known.
With a hood
Long cardigans with a hood are simple and practical, such products are not quite suitable for creating a certain image, but will provide their owner with reliable protection from cold wind or starting rain. Such models are considered demi-season, they can be worn both on autumn evenings and at the beginning of spring. Products with various lining options are very relevant, for example, faux fur or cheaper fleece. Many girls choose cardigans with a hood made of thin materials with elements of figured knitting especially for recreation outside the city, in the country or in nature. Such models will be ideal protection even at the beginning of summer, when the evenings can still be cool.
Sleeve and armhole design
A cardigan is not just a sweater, a robe or a loose cape. Each element of this product helps to create a unique image. And the important part of this clothing is the sleeves and armholes. They come in several types:
- Raglan. A design loved by all fashionistas, it differs from other types of sleeves by the sloping shoulders, which gives the figure a natural fragility.
- "Bat". The option is suitable for home wear. The peculiarity is the absence of a shoulder seam, which gives the product a casual shapelessness.
- "Doloman". Like the previous version, it has no shoulder seam, but the sleeve is more gathered, often tight. It goes with cardigans made in the style of a loose robe.
- Dropped shoulders. A favorite model of older women, it gives the image the warmth of the hearth.
- Sleeveless. Cardigan vests won't help in cold weather, but they will be a worthy addition to any look.
The most popular models are collarless, because this is the detail that distinguishes a classic cardigan from a simple sweater or jumper. But the variety of modern products is so great that now you can find items with a high collar, which looks stylish and will protect you from a sudden gust of wind.
Types of fasteners
In terms of types of fasteners, modern cardigans are no different from other similar items of clothing. The most popular are:
- Buttons. Universal cardigans with such a fastener will perfectly suit any style.
- Belt. An accessory, the variety of models of which will make some girls' heads spin. It can be a wide product made of soft fabric or, on the contrary, a narrow leather belt. There are hundreds of other possible options.
- Lightning. Rarely, but still used. Lightning mainly decorates strict business models.
If you want to be unique, then an interesting option for a cardigan without buttons, zippers or belt would be a beautiful brooch or a special clip. They can be worn on the lapel as decoration and periodically used as a fastener.
Select length
The length of the cardigan is no less important than the sleeve or collar model. Products below the hips, frankly short or reaching to the ankle will find their application in any situation and image that the fashionista chooses. Long cardigans are very popular, perfect for a casual look, visiting a cafe, restaurant or nightclub with friends. Distinctive features: no pockets or fasteners, most often worn unwrapped.
Products that are slightly below the knee are suitable for business style. A pair of wide pockets and a beautiful belt will be a great addition. Cardigans of this length are most often worn with loose-fitting trousers and a light shirt. Short models made of thin materials are combined with shorts, skirts or midi dresses. A bright, flashy color will be a good addition. Such cardigans are a simple and comfortable everyday item of clothing for walks or a long trip to the mall.
The right length is the key to a complete look, so this criterion should be taken seriously.
Stylish colors
Nowadays, items in several color solutions are very popular, in particular, in the so-called color block style, when a practical color scheme is used. Examples of such combinations: beige and black or dark blue and soft powder pink. This does not mean that single-color cardigans are completely out of fashion, on the contrary, they will always remain in trend. Among the most relevant colors: noble blue, marsala, soft mint.
In addition to color blocking, ombre is gaining popularity – a smooth transition from one color to another. At the same time, the tones can vary in completely different ways. And, of course, the ever-famous stripe or zebra style is relevant, but not the standard black and white, but with brighter shades.
It is also worth paying attention to models with a variety of geometric prints, including polka dots and checks.
Materials and textures
A wide variety of materials are used for knitted cardigans. The most common ones are:
- Warm and light tweed, made from sheep wool. When knitting cardigans from the material, beautiful patterns in a cage or fly are created. The big disadvantage of tweed is that it is too attractive to moths.
- Rare and expensive mohair. This is a noble yarn obtained from the wool of Angora goats. Such cardigans are distinguished by their natural shine and are practically weightless.
- Cashmere. Created from the undercoat of cashmere goats, this material is soft to the touch and pleasant in its color solutions, but very capricious in terms of care. Requires only steam ironing.
- Sheep wool. A cardigan made correctly from such yarn can replace an autumn coat in its qualities. Wool has one very useful property: it does not retain air and at the same time retains heat.
One of the most expensive materials used to make cardigans is mink. These products are more expensive than tweed, mohair, cashmere and even natural wool. With proper care, mink is durable and very warm in quality, but extremely susceptible to water.
Cardigans are mainly made from wool blended yarns. If you plan to wear the item in cold weather, it is better to choose yarn with added synthetics to protect against moisture and temperature. But openwork models are knitted from thin threads that are distinguished by good density (cotton, linen, bamboo).
As for the texture, today's trends are aimed at products made of thick yarn. One of the most popular is the lalo cardigan, the distinctive feature of which is voluminous braids created from wool or acrylic yarn using thick knitting needles. In addition, models made in the chinchilla technique, reminiscent of a spikelet, are incredibly popular. The decor should also be large. These can be so-called pimples, which look very perky and cute, or unusual patch pockets made of fur.
For those who want to stand out, there are very fluffy models that imitate a llama's fur coat with the help of loops and curls.
How to create a stylish look
When creating an image, it is worth considering the features of a knitted cardigan. Short models go well with such dress styles as godet, trapeze, pencil, balloon, A-silhouette, as well as with skinny jeans and trousers. Long cardigans look great with tight-fitting outfits, sundresses, and almost any trousers.
If you need to create a classic business look, then you can’t think of a better thing than a knitted cardigan. For example, a loose blouse and a strict pencil skirt below the knee are best suited to a cashmere product in a calm color. You can dilute such an elegant look with a thin leather belt.
For everyday urban style, a straight cardigan below the knee made of thin mohair or tweed, boyfriend jeans, a loose sweater in light shades and ankle boots or pumps are best suited. A comfortable medium-sized urban bag is a beautiful addition. Shapeless and long cardigans of coarse knitting suit the sport-chic and casual styles (loose chinos, a plain T-shirt). Shoes are selected depending on comfort: from semi-sneakers to light summer shoes.
An elegant style that is suitable for both shopping and visiting a cafe or restaurant is an interesting set consisting of a thin wool maxi cardigan, a light white T-shirt or tank top, tight dark-colored trousers and ankle boots. A small and neat handbag would not be superfluous.
A light neck scarf or a thicker scarf, depending on the weather conditions, is a good addition to almost any look.
What to wear for men
Men's models have long been an integral part of the wardrobe. When choosing, it is worth remembering that short straight cardigans with buttons will always be in trend, complementing a strict business style: tapered trousers, a shirt, a narrow plain tie. Longer and looser models will suit absolutely any elements of clothing, from short denim shorts and a T-shirt to summer trousers and a light loose shirt. Even under knitted warm models, plain T-shirts without a pattern are often worn. A cardigan adds masculinity to your look, especially if it has a thick collar and tight sleeves. To complete the design solution, you can choose a stylish leather bag or an equally unique folder.
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