I swear it's getting warmer...
... or it could be that the sun is shining for the third day in a row and I am Spring Spring Spring.
Now I know a lot of you aren't that keen to talk about sandals yet (I still maintain you can easily do bare ankles in this weather, you jessies) so I'm hazarding a guess at the chances of me persuading you to ditch a coat, aren't high.
But just in case... can I just say how much I love a cardigan? I reckon if I were to be allowed to wear a selection of these and a variety of blazers, I wouldn't need a coat (ok dog walking/rugby essentials still necessary). I love wearing them all year round - I layer up with scarves, hats and jumpers in colder months and wear over a tee once the sun is actually warm.
Personally I am a fan of the longer line ones. This isn't necessarily because I am tall and it's hard to get shorter ones the right length, I just prefer the proportions with a longer looking cardigan. If they're shorter, then I think it works better if they're of a chunkier nature. Otherwise they just scream Dave the coach driver (this may be a personal thing...) Another plus is that they're usually much cheaper than coats so of course it means you can have more (this perhaps isn't a good thing...). I find them super versatile for casual and smart occasions - what can I say? A fan I am.
And this season there is definitely a lot of opportunity for cardigan adoration.
Starting with one that I love. When I say love, I mean smooch and marry. Occasionally you see an item of clothing which isn't that wearable at all but you can't live without. Alas, one of the few items this happened with last year was another cardigan. A red one (that I bought - the Zara heavy knit 3/4 sleeve one). Bummer. But they're very different aren't they? AREN'T THEY? Later on I plan to waste an hour of my life perusing the Mango site. Without wine. Otherwise that could be expensive.
Premium cotton jacquard cardigan from Mango £69.99
Khaki in new season drop at Finery. This would take you all year round - lovely with black and perfect with creams.
Cornelia Mohair Handknit Cardigan from Finery £115
My beloved grey - minimalism at its best.
Ottoman Edge to Edge Cardigan from Jigsaw £169
But very similar online at M&S. And there is currently 20% off everything at M&S so go forth and fill your boots. Code FEB16SM.
Ripple Stitch Open Front Longline cardigan with wool £39.50 (I'm just to throw it out there that I think I might prefer the M&S one..)
I've seen this in real life and it's a total winner.
Double Face Trench Cardigan in khaki from Limited Edition £55 With styling that I love (although I am aware that striped jumper is a lot more cropped than it looks in this pic...)
Now here's a surprise. This looks very very like my Zara one from last year... It doesn't look quite as long or as heavy but the colours and the knit are absolutely identical. It's also much cheaper - especially with the extra 20% off.
Open Front Longline Cardigan from M&S £49.50
Colourblock stripes are ideal to breath new life into Winter's woollies.
M&S Collection Colour Block Open Front Cardigan £45 Do not look at the styling of these... open mind people, open mind.
and in the grey
Other new season at Whistles.
Longline Knitted Cardigan in oatmeal £130
Pullover Navy Knit Open Cardigan £16.99
Similar grey version also at TKMaxx - Cocogio Grey Waffle Open Cardigan £24.00
So they call this a coatigan - basically a slightly heavier weight cardigan. Although I don't think there's a tried and tested rule to this. Personally I'd say this is a cardigan. But what do I know.
Cocogio Beige and Black Striped Coatigan £26
And now some fantastic sales bargains STILL left at Mango. They are cardigan gold.
Pocket Long Cardigan in charcoal £24.99 was £49.99
Cream version with pockets - oh how I love a pocket was £59.99 now £29.99
Belted in two tone. Fantastic to wear to the office, to fling on over jeans and a tee or for over a black dress and heels for a night out. The most versatile "cardigan" there probably is here at a knock down price.
Long Cotton Cardigan was £59.99 now £29.99
This really reminds me of my grey 3.1 Phillip Lim one. Definitely more of a coatigan.
Buttoned long cardigan in black was £59.99 now £29.99
But this is the one I would plump for. Minimal, achingly stylish, practical and comfortable all at the same time plus a great price. Outfit inspiration right here.
Long cotton cardigan in navy from Mango was £69.99 now £34.99 This is obviously the sensible buy.
Here I am today proving my love of the knit in one of my many cardigans - a faithful from last Autumn.
Cardigan - Zara
Grey cashmere essential roll neck - Cocoa Cashmere
Grey tweed joggers - Topshop
White cracked Stan Smiths - adidas
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci
And outfit from last night. Out out with friends. Yes I have fake tanned my legs from my knee down to just above my ankle. All the class.
Black silk pussy bow blouse - Zara
Black leather look culottes - River Island
Nuria sock boots - Iro
Leopard print clutch - Tory Burch
Feeling slightly delicate this morning. Out for lunch with the family and movie night to introduce them to the joys of Zoolander.. this could go one of two ways...
I have that Jigsaw grey one. I bought it three weeks ago and it piles like mad. Annoying.
ReplyDeleteWhich makes the M&S one even more appealing! Did you take it back?
DeleteBare ankles?!! Are you insane? Just come to the Peak District and tell me to take off my fur lined boots! Love the m&s cardigans xxx
ReplyDeleteCheck me out with my hard as nails Southern ankles..!
DeleteI bought the m&s one you featured before Xmas, it had a built in scarf type thing?, was wearing it today, LOVE!!
ReplyDeleteOh I tried that one on, didn't I? It was gorgeous and perfect for this inbetweeny weather no?
DeleteOh you look fab last nights outfit is stunning , the m &is khakis taking my fancy as well as the cram mango one. There was a nice one I passed briefly in oasis today grey , lovely texture almost a waffle sweat type , would be perfect for spring just wasn't sure of the length for me 5'8! Will send a link 😘
ReplyDeleteThank you and looking forward to the link. Never seem to much in Oasis that I like.
DeleteNo it's a weird one isn't it doesn't really know itself and age it wants to target I feel , however a few nice items there today . On offer as well !! Link on its way x
DeleteI really need to spell check !!!
ReplyDeleteha ha ha!
Delete
ReplyDeleteOasis lightweight textured Coatigan £45 down to £36
Can't see a link?
Deletehttp://m.oasis-stores.com///oasis/fcp-product/5765214
DeleteHere it is there is a nice cream also xx
oh yes very useful!
DeleteVery nice - I got a brown fringy asks one that I saw wishwishwish wearing and I love it but the tassels get in the washing up something chronic! I have to be able to wear them on their own outside as otherwise they hang under my parka and it's not a good look. Will have a check out of the M&S ones with the code. Could you do a roundup of all things bare shouldered? Wondering whether to jump on this trend or give it the body swerve.......
ReplyDeleteOh I have loads of clothes are are ridiculously impractical like that. Now.. bare shouldered.. do you mean Bardot stye tops? Or shoulders with holes in which seem to be everywhere at the moment? The latter I simply haven't got my head round yet. The whiff of street walker is too strong for me.. But a bardot top, love love love love, but even I think it's too cold to go there just yet!! (although to be fair there were jumpers around so I'll be honest, I am too lazy for the fake tan I would need to wear them!)
DeleteI wear my long cardigan for shopping trins at this time of year, it's from Sibin Linnebjerg and is medium weight moss stitch. I also have a couple of their ponchos which are also great and I can wear a jacket underneath.
ReplyDeleteOh I'll have to look them up - Danish? The Scandis are on top of it at the moment x
DeleteI love their stuff, merino wool, good quality, doesn't pill. Their "Mary" Cardigans sell out almost as soon as they hit the shops
DeleteLove a long, cardi, I have just pinned loads! I couldn't wear them on cold, windy days but agree they are great for inbetweeny weather.I have a long, asymmetrical grey one and a mohair slate blue one (similarish knit to your acne one) that I have had for several years. Great for shopping trips and days when you are in and out. They would work well into spring, as well, I think.
ReplyDeleteYes perfect for shopping trips!
DeleteI thought i had come across a lovely new coatigan to add to my collection when the Plumo book dropped through my letter box. Its very rare i see anything in there but the front cover caught my eye, searched for it inside only to find it was leather and £998, needless to say i didnt love it that much. I love them for warmer days and for shopping as so much easier than having a heavy winter coat on.
ReplyDeleteI daren't open the bloody thing....
Deleteas a 40 year old British woman the cardigan should be the backbone of my wardrobe, like so many women before us....and yet, sorry to be total idiot of this, but do you wear it AS a coat to remove once you're in the, say, office? or does it remain on you all day?
ReplyDeleteIt depends, I use mine both as a coat which I take off, and on colder days I keep it on inside.
DeleteAs I'm petite, mine isn't mega long, so I can wear a coat on top without it showing underneath.
Right, well I wear mine as a coat and prefer to layer up or down depending on the weather. clearly not rain appropriate... But then I also love wearing the older ones I've got on winter nights for snuggling over my "loungewear" (which is code for what is basically a trackie)
DeleteNever been able to pull of the cardigan look. More of a coat girl. V tempted still by the IRO boots to wear with cropped/boyfirend jeans. Are they comfortable?
ReplyDeleteI love the Iro boots. Even the husband likes them! They're not uncomfortable but when you're more used to wearing flats as I am now - it's a pair of heels at the end of the day so there's a degree of uncomfort to them, I will say!
DeleteDo you think the socks can be removed at a late dater i.e. if get too baggy or no longer on trend?
ReplyDeleteFrom the boots? Hmmm well, they're stitched in so it would be a job.. but they certainly don't add anything to the structure of the boot so you wouldn't miss them on that front. It's to whether you would be able to unstitch them... I will say that next year (by all accounts..) the sock boot is going to be huge so you'll definitely get another season out of them. I'd wear them to death (they are THE PERFECT dress/skirt ankle boot ).
DeleteOh no. Put them in my basket and then someone else got there first and now they are sold out and only avaialabe from IRO at £190. Sob.
DeleteCashmere dress and.... ?? I don't see why not?
ReplyDelete