For the Love of Cardigans

Cardigans have always been one of my favourite garments for their warmth and versatility. There is nothing better than enveloping yourself in a woollen cardigan on a cold day or chilly evening, embracing their cosiness.

I love how a cardigan complements most outfits – they look just as stylish worn over dresses as with skirts, trousers, jeans or shorts, and can be both dressed up or dressed down. I feel as comfortable wearing a cardigan with a dress for a formal occasion as I do throwing one over jeans and a t-shirt when leaving the house for a stroll.

Perhaps surprisingly, cardigans were originally designed for men. They are named after James Brudenell, the Seventh Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. The design of the first cardigan was based on the knitted woollen waistcoats that British officers wore, and they first became popular following the Earl’s victory – although these were sleeveless vests originally. Women began wearing cardigans thanks to Coco Chanel’s influence, who loved to wear them because sweaters messed up her hair when she pulled them over her head, whereas cardigans could be taken on and off more easily. They have been consistently in style ever since the 1920s.

Personally, I wear woollen cardigans all year round. They are perfect for simple layering during the colder months, but also serve as a warm layer in the evenings during summer. As wool is a natural material, it keeps you warm when you’re cool but also can cool you down when you’re warm. It even wicks moisture away from the skin, helping to keep you cooler and drier in warmer climates (unlike cotton). Wool is also a more sustainable choice for knitwear, as it is natural, biodegradable and renewable – unlike cotton which requires more water and land use to farm. Wool is produced in arid and semi-arid zones, and is rainfed, not irrigated.

As seen on Penny from @Styleinthestix dressed for a Summer event in complimentary pink textures.
I love the look of a cardigan worn over a light cotton summer dress or paired with shorts just as much as when bundled up in the winter. My cardigans are staple pieces in both my collection and my personal wardrobe, and I love to wear them for all occasions – from hiking in the hills to summer weddings.

There are five cardigan silhouettes in my collection, which I will detail below.
Made in the UK with responsibly sourced natural wool.

The Lea Cardigan

Lea is a slouchy slub cardigan with a boxy fit. This style really shows off the beauty of slow fashion as its chunky textured lambswool marl takes a much longer time to spin, making the construction of this cardigan a much slower and considered process. There is only a certain amount of this slub yarn spun each year in Scotland, making every garment feel special. The yarn is twisted with a vibrant bright spring colour in a choice of blue, pink or green, and each cardigan has contrasting trim.

The Alva Cardigan

Alva is one of our best-selling designs; a cardigan that our customers truly love to wear over and over again. It’s a longer, classic cardigan with a deep v-neckline and pockets, that is perfect for giving an effortless edge to tailored trousers or jeans. This cardigan brings together all my values, showing my passion and exploration of colour with unique marl twists, British-made natural and biodegradable buttons and RWS-certified breathable lambswool. There are eight colours available, including a choice of contrasting or neutral tones.
Read customer reviews of the Alva cardigan here.

The Alloa Cardigan

Alloa is a cropped version of Alva that is ideal for wearing with high-waisted trousers or over a dress for a summer wedding. It is available in a choice of four rich colours spun from custom marls in 100% lambswool.

The Maddis Cardigan

Maddis is a crew-neck cardigan in a lambswool and cashmere tweed melange. It’s a versatile design that can take you from day to night with simple styling updates. Wear during the day with a simple t-shirt and jeans, or dress up for the evening by wearing over a beaded dress. The cashmere blends adds to the luxurious feel of this design. Choose from three colours.

The Leven Cardigan

Leven is another style with a longer, neater fit. It’s the perfect cardigan to wear everyday at home thanks to its easy fit and super soft texture. The wool is brushed with dried thistles to create an almost felted finish that feels fluffy and luxurious against your skin. There are four classic colours available to choose from.

All of the buttons used on the cardigans are codelite or corozo – both of which are sustainable and natural materials. You can read more about how I work with Courtney & Co., who use traditional button-making techniques here.

Browse all of our British made cardigans together in one place.