Whether chic, like those worn by Grace Kelly, or colourful, so representative of the look of Michelle Obama, cardigans are back on the fashion map and are a substitute for jackets and suits, as long as they are “over”, just as the general (after whom the cardigan was named) wanted it to be that is,
James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan.
In October 1854, during the Crimean war, he led the disastrous charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balacklava.
It is believed that the Earl of Cardigan would change into a comfortable knitted sort of waistcoat buttoned up at the front, as soon as he took of his uniform.
Perhaps he is more renowned for this item of clothing than the battle itself.
During the Twenties, Coco Chanel reinterpreted the cardigan by adding a touch of femininity.
Needless to say, actresses Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, Elisabeth Taylor and Doris Day, just to mention some, were immediately captivated.
During the 60’s and the 70’s, the twin-set became the uniform of young polite girls, elder ladies and even grandmothers, while all the others absolutely loathed them for almost forty years.
Now that it has become current again, it has been presented by many designers and is suitable for all age groups.
Surely the general-earl would have appreciated it very much in the designers’ version.
