The word “cardigan” sounds noble and aristocratic in a European way. However, the clothes for which this name was given completely justify it. Today, every person interested in fashion knows that a cardigan is a jacket without a collar, consisting of a back and two front halves. In the classic version, it is complemented with buttons or a belt, but modern fashion does not suffer from conservatism, and therefore there are a lot of bright and unusual cardigan models in our time.
In the 9th century, residents of the northern territories wore sweaters that were a bit like modern cardigans. Fishermen went out to sea in them, thus protecting themselves from the harsh sea wind. Several hundred years later, in the 17th century, they became popular among ordinary English and French citizens.
Perhaps the cardigan would have been considered an ordinary jacket, but in the 19th century, immediately after the end of the Crimean War, the English military leader James Brudenell began wearing it. He was the seventh Earl of Cardigan.Actually, this is where the name we know came from (but this happened after the count’s death).
Brudenell's team at that time was reputed to be elegant, and he himself was a fairly famous person in Europe. Therefore, his example was quickly taken as a role model by aristocrats and the most avid fashionistas of that era. They began to use the cardigan as an everyday wardrobe item.
For a long time, this jacket was considered exclusively for men. But Coco Chanel appeared in the fashion world and turned it upside down. She made many masculine things feminine. The cardigan is an example of such a transformation.
By the way, she demonstrated the first such swing jacket for women on herself in 1918. It was a loose-fitting model with a wide armhole, voluminous sleeves and large patch pockets. She caused wild delight among European fashionistas. Then it became clear: the cardigan came into the women's wardrobe as a noble gentleman, with serious intentions and for a long time.
But the war happened, and people happily forgot about many previously fashionable things. I'm glad it won't last long. Already in the 50s, the cardigan was remembered again. Then his neckline became V-shaped. In the 60s, it became popular among needlewomen to knit warm woolen sweaters with buttons. They were used as casual clothing for home, gardening, and walking.
In the 80s, Kurt Cobain tried on the cardigan. Millions of fans followed their idol and began to wear it almost without taking it off.
A swing jacket is considered universal. Indeed, it goes well with different wardrobe items. It can be complemented with interesting accessories and worn every day.
In addition, a tightly knit cardigan is considered an interesting alternative to a jacket or raincoat. It retains heat, but does not wrinkle and does not restrict movement at all. At the same time, a thin swing sweater made of jersey is also popular, which is good for summer evenings. In short, there are many options for use, and everyone will find something of their own.
Conventionally, swing sweaters are divided into women's and men's. The essence is the same, but the execution is different. Women's models are full of colors. Their styles are varied and sometimes very unusual. Men, on the contrary, are most often reserved. Of course, there are also quite a few colors and styles, but most of them work to make the image more masculine.