If you can make it work in a fashion context, it can be subversively ballsy
You can tell the cardigan’s star is in the ascendant, because people have started shoulder-robing it. Well, at fashion week they have, anyway, which might not seem relevant except – mark my words – these things have a way of catching on. Shoulder-robing is the ultimate power move. Shoulder-robe your top layer, and take a look at your shadow: bam, you’re a superhero. Also, you instantly have the aura of someone who has a high-powered, fast-moving, Anna Wintour-type schedule. Shoulder-robing suggests dynamic standing-up meetings and brief journeys, possibly by helicopter. After all, nobody shoulder-robes on a 30 minute tube journey, it’s just not practical.
On the other hand, the cardigan is traditionally the polar opposite of power dressing. Wearing a cardigan is like prefacing your sentences with “Sorry to bother you, but…” or “This is probably a silly idea.” Even a brand new cardigan never has that shiny, boxfresh feeling that a crisp piece of tailoring or shirting has. Psychologically, choosing a cardigan puts you sort of fireside.
Related: What I wore this week: a pie-crust blouse
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