cardigan

A cardigan is a knitted garment with an opening down the front and long sleeves. It is typically worn as a layer over shirts or blouses and can function as outerwear in moderate weather. Cardigans vary in length, from cropped styles to longline versions, and may have a button or toggle closure, or be open at the front.

Most cardigans are made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers, and may feature textures such as ribbing or cable knitting. Necklines commonly include V-neck or crew neck; some styles have shawl collars. Open-front cardigans lack a front closure; buttoned or zip-front variants are common for both menswear and womenswear.

The cardigan is named for James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, a British aristocrat who commanded troops in the Crimean War. The term entered fashion vocabulary in the late 19th to early 20th century and became a staple of everyday wear, favored for its warmth and ease of layering. A related anecdote credits the Earl’s wife, Lady Cardigan, with knitting a garment for him, contributing to the name’s association.

In modern usage, cardigans are worn by all genders and across a range of informal to semi-formal settings. Variants include cropped cardigans, longline or knee-length versions, and cardigan jackets with heavier fabrics like wool blends. Care instructions depend on material, with many wool or cashmere cardigans requiring gentle washing or dry cleaning, while cotton and synthetic blends are often machine washable.