Why the fashion team are taking tips from Coco and styling up the humble cardigan this spring
THE humble cardi is having a moment. Maybe it’s because we’re loving that ‘French Girl’ style or maybe it’s just because it’s one of the biggest in-between-season heroes, but we are all about the cardigan right now.
Searches have surged by 108% according to high-street retailer New Look, and with spring almost here, we’re crushing hard on loads of styles, but especially Chanel-esque versions.
Although the cardi was originally named after aristo, James Brunell, the 7th Duke of Cardigan, it was Coco Chanel in the 1920s who designed it with a woman in mind. She didn’t want to pull a big sweater over her head and ruin her hair (who can blame her?), so she designed herself a cardigan.
With the Chanel aesthetic trending on TikTok, it’s the perfect time to snap up a Chanel-style cardi that you’ll still be able to wear every year. The high street is packed with fabulous dupes so you can get the look without hitting New Bond Street and spending £££.
Here, the Fashion Team show how they will be wearing theirs this spring…
Tracey Lea Sayer, 52, Fashion Director
- Cardigan, £130, Boden – BUY NOW
- Earrings, £55, Jigsaw – BUY NOW
- Trousers, £85, COS – BUY NOW
- Shoes, £169, Arket – BUY NOW
- Socks, £3.90, Uniqlo – BUY NOW
- Vest, £18, Boden – BUY NOW
I look terrible in a cardigan – think Pauline Fowler having a bad day!
I see other people looking fab in a cosy cardi, but they just tend to look really dowdy on me for some reason. So I always have to go for something a bit more elevated in the knitwear department.
Step forward this gorgeous Boden nautical number. With its nod to Chanel thanks to Breton stripes and shiny buttons, this humble cardi has been given a bit of a posh makeover.
In fact, you could almost say it’s more of a ‘coatigan’ – which I am far more comfortable with!
It’s lightweight, but still with a bit of warmth for spring, this Boden piece will look great with a beige trench thrown over it if it’s still chilly, or fab on its own over a pair of wide-leg trousers.
Sold to the lady who can’t walk past a Breton stripe!
Emily Regan, 24, Fashion Assistant
- Cardigan, £45, River Island – BUY NOW
- Bag, £29.50, M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer – BUY NOW
- Trousers, £18.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Trainers, £85, Adidas – BUY NOW
Finally, the weather has started to warm up and wearing a full-on thick knit to the office is off the cards.
And now it’s officially cardigan season! It’s the perfect layering piece that’s smart enough to wear to work or for lunch with friends, and thanks to Chanel’s SS/24 catwalk, the high street has very much got on board.
I’m really enjoying adding a pop of red to neutral outfits at the moment, so this striped cardi from River Island really caught my eye.
I also love the gold button details, which go so well with the jewellery and accessories already in my wardrobe.
I’ve paired the cardi with these wide-leg black trousers (a total game-changer and my new wardrobe staple) and kept it casual with some Adidas trainers, which are super-comfortable when I’m on my feet all day.
But you could totally switch these out with a pair of slingbacks for a smarter look if you wanted.
Clemmie Fieldsend, 33, Fashion Editor
- Jacket, £35, F&F at Tesco – BROWSE HERE
- Shoes, £19.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Jeans, £35.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Bag, £38, Next – BUY NOW
- Watch, £149, Abbott Lyon – BUY NOW
My favourite thing about this trend is its versatility.
You can be firmly in the lightweight knitted cardigan camp, or you can shift over to the thicker and more jacket-like side.
I’m in the jacket team, or the ‘chaket’ as I like to call it – a hybrid of Chanel and jacket.
I don’t have the wallet for an original boucle-style jacket from the French fashion house, but thankfully this F&F one does the job really well.
For just £35, you can get in on the Chanel and Celine-inspired trend.
The devil is in the details and this chaket has gold buttons that look like leather knots that give it that elevated edge.
I’ve chosen to wear it buttoned up with a pair of baggy jeans to soften the structure and smart feel it gives off.
But it can also be worn open over a tight bodysuit or a V-neck lace and satin camisole for a gorgeous evening look.
Abby McHale, 29, Deputy Fashion Editor
- Cardigan, £25, F&F at Tesco – BROWSE HERE
- Shoes, £25,99, New Look – BUY NOW
- Sunglasses, £39.99, Pilgrim – BUY NOW
- Jeans, £35.99, Mango – BUY NOW
- Bag, £39.50, M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer – BUY NOW
Cardigans are having a style moment and I’m here for it.
I love the ease of a cardigan as opposed to a jumper, as you can tailor it to the look and temperature that you want to be.
Plus the best bit is that you can even pick one up while doing your food shopping, as the supermarkets have some great pieces.
I love this F&F at Tesco cardi – it has a hint of a boucle-style jacket but with a relaxed feel, which means it nails the quiet luxury trend that is still everywhere right now.
I’ve paired it with some wide-leg jeans, an oversized tote and ballet flats for a relaxed look that I can wear both to the office or when I’m off-duty.
BEST OF THE REST…
- Cardigan, £44.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Cardigan, £49.99, Mango – BUY NOW
- Cardigan, £46, Next – BUY NOW
- Cardigan, £65, Monsoon – BUY NOW
- Cardigan, £35, M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer – BUY NOW