While a cardigan, in and of itself, is nothing new to report, I have been noticing a shift in the way they're being worn now. Since the end of last year and over the past few weeks, it has become apparent that, not only has the cardigan shed its "frumpy" reputation (although this happened some time ago), it has actually become a staple of dressed-up wardrobes everywhere. From the spring runways to red carpets, these buttoned-up knits are featuring in some of the best, most glamorous outfits of late, leading me to reconsider when and where to wear them.
Cardigans have long been helpful for a spring wardrobe, as they tend to be more lightweight than their jumper counterparts – as well as being easier to layer over T-shirts and take off if the weather is warm (imagine!) – but the spring/summer 2026 collections presented them in a whole new light.
At Boss, Chanel, Fendi and Tory Burch, classic cardis were worn tucked in to low-slung skirts for a very chic take on workwear; Chanel also showed longline styles worn over silk skirts that were more appropriate for cocktail hour, while several of Fendi's were worn open over peekaboo bra tops. Dior's grey semi-sheer cardigan also had a sensual element, with its low-ish neckline and the fact that it was paired with louche wide-legs; similarly, McQueen's floral knit was worn undone and off-the-shoulder with super low-slung khaki trousers.
Recent celebrity looks have also endorsed this more glamorous approach. Take Tessa Thompson, who has worn several cardigans over the past few months. Towards the end of last year, she showed how much sex appeal the cardi can have when she buttoned the top of a white style, leaving the rest open over a high-waisted pair of black trousers with a leather trench coat. Another notable cardigan outfit from Thompson included a full look from Tory Burch's spring catwalk. A fellow Tory fan, Pamela Anderson, recently attended the brand's autumn/winter 2026 show in New York, where she, too, wore one of the collared, buttoned-up cardigans. Anderson made hers appropriate for the freezing cold temperatures with sheer black tights and a tailored coat, giving us ample inspiration for the current climate.
Elsewhere, at the AFI Awards Luncheon, Marty Supreme star Odessa A'zion wore a blue &Daughter cardigan with Stella McCartney's baggy faux leather trousers, achieving that most elusive of styles (when done properly): smart/casual. At the Wuthering Heights premiere in London, singer Celeste chose an extreme off-shoulder silhouette in the form of a grey cardigan, matched with a high-waisted grey skirt, both created by Soma Faitanin, a London-based Dutch-Brazilian designer.
![london, england february 05: celeste attends the wuthering heights uk premiere at odeon luxe leicester square on february 05, 2026 in london, england. (photo by samir hussein/wireimage)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2260287365-699602885e509.jpg?crop=0.8714596949891068xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* ""Wuthering Heights" UK Premiere - Arrivals")
All in all, the idea of using a cardigan to look as though you've made more of an effort is ideal, especially right now when we're in-between winter and spring and the weather is making us all feel fed up. It's low-maintenance, still feels cosy and yet, when styled in the right way, can be glamorous enough for even a red carpet event. Minimum effort with excellent results? Apparently, that does exist.
Shop: the best cardigans to dress up now
&Daughter wool cardigan
Rixo Maurya knitted cardigan
Cos waisted Milano knit cardigan
Erdem crew neck cardigan
Longchamp red knit cardigan
Vivienne Westwood Eli cropped cardigan
M&S soft touch waisted fitted cardigan
Maje jewelled bow cardigan
!["bridgerton" season 4 madrid masquerade ball](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/australian-actress-yerin-ha-attends-the-bridgerton-season-4-news-photo-1771494171.pjpeg?crop=0.6666xw:1xh;center,top&resize=360:* ""Bridgerton" Season 4 Madrid Masquerade Ball")
