I apologise if it seems I'm always raving about facets of the granny-chic trend. But my latest topic of focus is neither niche nor outlandish – it deals with a garment that most, if not all, of you will already have in your wardrobes: a cardigan. 'Tis the season for cardigans, especially in the Middle East, where winter weather calls for light, open jumpers, as opposed to heavy coats and chunky parkas. However, the cardigans currently in vogue aren't fitted, flimsy numbers, but oversized, knitted and embroidered.
Though they may not have resurfaced wholeheartedly on runways for the autumn/winter season last year, they’re certainly popular street-style components. See the red cardigan printed with pink roses pictured above – j’adore. You may have luck finding a similar one in the wardrobe of your mother or grandmother – I got a great hand-me-down from my mother, for instance: a thick black cardigan with a deep-V-neck, printed with beige bows. I wear it over leggings and jeans, and it gives my look an instant 1980s vibe.
The great thing about these cardigans is their versatility. Wear with a white tank underneath, on white trousers and with ballerina flats, for a look that’s refined and ladylike. For an off-kilter, punk-inspired look, pair the cardigan with an old rock ‘n’ roll-inspired band T-shirt, and finish the look with white trainers. Amplify it further by wearing the cardigan propped on your shoulders, rather than putting your arms through the sleeves.
The industry has indulged in its obsession with bomber jackets for a few years now, but don’t allow these to overshadow the chunky cardigans of this season. Remember last week’s column on brooches? Pin a few of these onto your cardigan to jazz it up and make it even more relevant to today’s trend climate.
hlodi@thenational.ae
