The cardigan is named for the 7th Earl of Cardigan, the officer who led the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. Today the cashmere version is the cozy layer that makes almost any outfit look finished. This is how to choose the weight, the buttons and the fit.
The Cashmere Cardigan: A Soldier's Name on a Soft Sweater
A name from a battlefield
The cardigan takes its name from James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. The story that he invented the knitted jacket is, in the words of most histories, supposedly true, so I will hedge. What is clearer is that Coco Chanel helped popularize cardigans for women in the 20th century. After a few seasons of puffer vests and fleeces, the cashmere cardigan is the piece that feels like a hug. It is the sweater you reach for when you want to look pulled together without effort.
Weight and weave
A good cashmere cardigan has two things, a soft hand and a tight weave. Gauge matters. A fine gauge looks sleek under a blazer, while a chunky knit looks cozy on its own. The 100 percent cashmere styles from AQUA Cashmere and C by Bloomingdale's are a good starting point. Reformation, Alex Mill and Vince do slightly more fashion-forward versions. Rub the fabric on your inner wrist. If it feels scratchy or looks fuzzy, it will pill quickly.
Fit and buttons
The fit should be relaxed but not sloppy. The shoulder seam should hit at the edge of your shoulder, and the sleeves should end at the wrist bone. A cropped cardigan works with high-waisted trousers and skirts. A longer one layers over dresses. Look for horn or mother-of-pearl buttons, which hold up better than plastic. Picture her in a cream crewneck cardigan with the top button undone, a silver chain at her neck, a stack of books under one arm.
Wear it backwards if you like
One of the best tricks is to wear the cardigan buttoned up the back, like a sweater, over a collared shirt. Another is to drape it over your shoulders on a cold evening. In our fashion dreams she wears a camel cardigan over a white slip dress on a cool night, and nobody asks if she brought a coat. Wash it by hand in cool water and dry it flat. A good cashmere cardigan should last a decade or more if you treat it kindly.
What I would skip
I would skip very thin cashmere blends that feel soft in the store and pill in a week. I would skip bright colors unless you wear them often, since neutrals earn more wear. And I would skip hanging it on a hanger, which stretches the shoulders. Fold it in a drawer with a cedar block, and it will be there next winter.
