5 Cool Cardigans That Will Keep You Stylish and Cosy

If the humble cardigan wasn't a staple in your wardrobe before last year, chances are it is now. Personally, I've always been a fan of the knitted cover-up (although I love jumpers, I prefer the way cardigans look and sit on my bigger bust), and it seems that all of fashion has come round to my way of thinking. 

Gone are the days when cardigans were considered dowdy, or dare I say it, boring. Now, designers have reimagined the cardigan in a multitude of stylish ways, making it a must-have in any closet, regardless of what your aesthetic may be. And as we head into spring, there are new cardigan trends for 2021 beginning to emerge. 

From statement faux-fur trims to pretty and nostalgic floral embroidery, the cardigans on offer this season will instantly elevate your basic jeans-and–T-shirt uniform or will add a preppy, quaint flourish to your dresses. So keep scrolling to see the knitted wonders just waiting to be discovered. 

FLORAL EMBROIDERY

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(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Having kicked off at the end of last year, ornate floral needlework is still adorning the lapels and fronts of chunky-knit cardigans. 

Shop the trend:

FAUX FUR-TRIMMED

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Cardigans with faux-fur trims are also proving popular right now. The look you're going for is very Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, with pastel colours and fluffy textures. 

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THIN RIB

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(Image credit: @the_oluwaseun)

For those of you who prefer to keep your wardrobe staples minimal, rest assured the thin-rib cardigan trend is sticking around for spring 2021. 

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HOURGLASS

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Cardigans aren't an item you'd usually expect to be tailored, but, thanks to Khaite, lots of pared-back styles with nipped-in waists are doing the rounds. 

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LACE COLLAR

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(Image credit: @aimeesong)

Jumbo collars are still very much a part of spring's style agenda, and now you needn't layer your cardigan over a collar-endowed blouse to achieve this look—many cardigans now come with crochet or lace built-in. 

Shop the trend:

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Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.