Maxi wool cardigans: here are this winter’s trends
For a few years now, designers have been bringing back knitted garments, the kind that grandmothers once made at random with needles and a ball of yarn. Fashion loves to play so it has done so with colors, weaves and sizes. For winter 2023 – 2024, women’s fashion has therefore put the fitted sweater on the back burner a bit and jumped on another garment: the woolen maxi cardigan. Warm and snug, it not only defends against harsh winter weather but is a versatile garment that can be combined with different types of outfits. Here are the trends for this winter.
When it comes to cardigans?
The first thing to know is what kind of garment made of wool is considered the cardigan. We are talking about a sweater strictly with buttons and of a certain length. The buttons are usually few – 3 or 4 -, large and showy: in short, a distinctive element that affect the style of the garment itself. Small buttons, perhaps the same color as the fabric, are more appropriate for a sweater.
As far as length is concerned, a cardigan is defined as such if it covers at least the hips; all garments that stop at the waist belong in the golf and sweater category. From the hips down, on the other hand, one can indulge oneself: the cardigan can go up to mid-thigh, venture down to the knee or, in the case of never styles that can almost come to replace the coat, go down to mid-calf.
Cardigan instead of jacket
Putting the blazer back in the closet in anticipation of next spring, to accompany a long dress or a shirt and pants suit you can opt for the cardigan, obviously in a decidedly long version, at least up to mid-thigh.
This is one of the ideas brought to the runway, transforming an everyday look into a winter and decidedly cozy version. Be careful with the combinations and especially the colors: a cardigan that is too dark on a black trouser could dampen the final effect, which is also meant to be a bit ironic. The ideal is to play on contrasts: a garment with drawn work in blue tones goes well with a light dress, while on a black or gray base it is better to choose a cardigan in bright colors if it is plain, or in pastel colors if it is patterned.
Wool on wool
Well yes, knitwear is so fashionable that you can choose to wear a wool sweater underneath your cardigan, obviously making a conscious and well-coordinated choice. The ideal is to wear a knit crop top underneath, which stops at the waist or even a few inches higher, and a mid-length cardigan over it. For colors, play with contrast, perhaps with a dark knit top and a cardigan that mutes with some soft patterns. Tone-on-tone, on the other hand, in knitwear seems to be a thing of the past, at least until some designer decides to revisit it and bring it back into vogue.
Wool on the skin
One of the most daring trends of this 2023 is the cardigan worn as a single garment, worn over a simple tank top. Maybe not meet the needs of the most chilly, but if the temperatures are mild or you are in well-heated environments you can really have a trendy outfit. You can also leave the cardigan a bit untucked, just to hint at what you “don’t have” underneath, and pair it with jeans or casual pants. This is a leisure look but one that, with a boot and the right accessories, can be sported at some formal events, provided you know how to wear a somewhat aggressive outfit with ease.
The knitwear under the jacket
A less extreme but still fashionable alternative is to return to wearing the jacket by wearing it over a cardigan. In this case the length of the wool garment is reduced, only to the hips, that is, equal to that of the jacket; so no to waist blazers, because the final effect would be aesthetically very unharmonious! The ideal cardigan has a shaved wool workmanship, such as merino wool can be, so that it is uncluttered, going to replace the blouse.
In addition to being a well-crafted outfit, it is also ideal for dealing with the weather of the season: if you want to take off your jacket at the office you will stay warm while maintaining a comfortable complete look.
