As someone who lived in California until relatively recently, seasons are kind of new for me. Surely you can imagine my surprise when I learned that, sometimes, it’s too cold to wear a T-shirt and a light jacket. All that said, my time in the Midwest and East Coast broadened my horizons, and has given me a newfound appreciation for sweaters.
As I’ve learned to adapt for colder weather, I’ve been pleased to discover that almost no other item of clothing is as fun—and, dare I say, sexy—than a little cardigan. They’re so versatile! Wear it over a white tee or with nothing underneath at all, buttoned up to the top or totally open. You’re never locked into one style.
“But what’s so sexy about a sweater?” you may be asking. I’d reckon that a cardigan begets confidence like almost no other item of clothing. It’s customizable to the wearer’s comfort and what, after all, is hotter than being secure in yourself? And if you aren’t buying that platitude, may I just remind you of Katie Holmes’s Khaite cardigan and bralette set?
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Just this week alone, Kaia Gerber and Paul Mescal both showed us just how hot the button-up sweater can be. Gerber demonstrated the cardigan for warmer climates, wearing a red sweater left mostly unbuttoned, sleeves pushed up above her elbows. Mescal, meanwhile, added a gray cardi to his Gladiator II premiere look, wearing it over a white tee and under a structured black blazer for a casual-cozy touch.
They’re not the only ones. Of course, with her knitwear brand Guest In Residence, we can count on Gigi Hadid to rock a cardigan, like the tomato-hued sweater(s) she wore out in the streets of New York, or her sister Bella Hadid, who once sported a mustard cardigan with just the top button clasped. Jennifer Lopez gave a new meaning to the sweater set, wearing a brown Gucci knit with a matching pair of shorts. Any way you spin it, you really can’t go wrong. So if you’re planning a special occasion this coming winter and want to feel your best self, grab your favorite cardigan and button up.
Marc Piasecki
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