A few years ago, if you had mentioned the words cardigan set, the phrase would have conjured up images of a preppy, Charlotte York-esque character in pastel-shaded cashmere with a matching headband and pearl necklace to boot. Though last year, Katie Holmes came along and single-handedly blew that notion completely out of the water.
Spotted on the streets of New York wearing a matching cashmere cardigan and knitted bra top by of-the-moment label Khaite, Holmes started a movement. With one image, the concept of the bradigan was born, altering the perception of a sweater set forever.
Since this pop-culture moment, cardigan sets have had a resurgence, shedding their formerly preppy persona and garnering a fan base of influencers and It girls. Of course, high-street retailers have since started creating their own iterations, and now the cardigan set seems to be one of autumn's most in-demand knitwear styles.
In an update to the original look, many of this season's sets contain a knitted crop top, rather than the bra which accompanied Holmes's original outfit. This makes the look a lot more versatile and wearable for real-world occasions. From & Other Stories to Mango, Zara, and more, keep scrolling to see how influencers are styling cardigan sets and to shop the in-demand knit below.
How influencers are styling the trend:
Style Notes: In true Zeena style, the influencer opts for a playful cardigan set featuring floral embellishments.
Style Notes: Francesca Carolina styles Nasty Gal's mustard cardigan set alongside black shorts and boots.
Style Notes: One of Zara's earlier sets, this exact item is now sold out, though the retailer has released several similar options.
Style Notes: Taking the cardigan set to another level, here Rachael Clifton styles hers alongside matching knit shorts.
Style Notes: Taking a minimalist approach, here Claire Most pairs a white cardigan set with a pair of faded blue jeans.
Shop cardigan sets:
Next up, The Biggest Autumn/Winter 2020 Fashion Trends You Need to Know
-
27 Crochet Pieces From Zara, H&M, J.Crew, and More That Scream Cool GirlYou'll wear these on heavy rotation.
-
My Most Fashionable Friends Live in NYC—They'll Love These 30 Wildly Chic Zara FindsCool new staples.
-
I Just Removed Everything From My Sister's Zara Cart—Here's What I Added InsteadYour summer wardrobe, sorted.
-
I Spend a Month in Greece Every Summer—31 Chic Zara Vacation Essentials I'm Eyeing for My Next TripNow, let's just hope it all fits in my luggage.
-
I'll Know You Have Good Taste If These 30 New Arrivals Are Already in Your Shopping CartA little summer wardrobe update.
-
If You Thought These New Zara Finds Were Designer, I Wouldn't Blame YouChic, elevated, and under $150.
-
Forget Baggy Jeans—Genie Pants Are the New Summer Trend European It Girls Can't Stop Talking AboutPlus, the viral Zara pair everyone's buying.
-
My Sellout Senses Are Tingling: This New Designer-Passing Zara Top Will Be the First to GoI give it one week.
