Growing up, a cardigan was something that my mom would always tell me to grab before we left the house in case I got cold. This concept was always one that I didn’t understand, because why wouldn’t you just dress for the proper weather and not feel the need to bring more clothing “in case.” However, I have found a new purpose and appreciation for cardigans through my most recent fashion choices and obsessions. 

Personally, I think that cardigans are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing. They can be worn on their own, they can be used to layer over or under outfits, and most importantly cardigans can be easily dressed up or down. If you look on the websites of any fast-fashion brand like Brandy Melville or Zara, you can see more and more cardigans are advertised and marketed as a staple Fall/Winter trend. I have spent a lot of quarantine preoccupied with fashion and pushing myself to come out of my comfort zone with what I am comfortable, and most importantly, confident wearing. The first cardigan that I picked up was on a thrift trip a few months back. It was simple, just a navy blue button down long sleeve cardigan. I remember coming home and showing my mom my finds and having her actually laugh when I showed her the cardigan. She followed up with, “you know how many times I used to tell you to bring a cardigan places and you never listened to me! I swear you will never wear that.” However, I was determined to make the piece work.

I started simple, pairing it first with a pair of baggy Levi’s and classic Air Force 1’s. I loved the way it looked and even attempted different ways to style via buttoning or unbuttoning. Next, I tried pairing it both buttoned and unbuttoned over a simple baby doll dress and paired it with my Doc’s. I also loved the contrast between the super femme dress and sweater with the more edgy boots. Another outfit I put together was pairing my cardigan with an additional summer staple; overalls. I paired a silk tank under my black overalls and added the simple cardigan on top to pull the outfit together. I think that the versatility that comes from the simplicity of the cardigan is what makes it work. Bella Hadid has even mastered the cardigan and it is a staple for achieving the model off-duty vibe. Cardigans are an essential staple for any closet this season--though I’m reluctant to say it, my mom was ahead of the game.