On chilly days, it's great to have clothes that can be quickly thrown on, as temperatures tend to vary widely in autumn. Long or loose-fitting clothes have been trendy in recent years, and long cardigans will keep you in style.
Cardigans are open-front jackets made of knit and other materials. The British earl of Cardigan is said to have devised these jackets during the Crimean War in the mid-19th century so soldiers could easily put them on and take them off even when injured.
Fashion coordinator Yusuke Inoue said: "Cardigans are versatile items for various situations, both formal and casual. In keeping with the popularity of oversized clothes, a wider range of long cardigans has emerged."
Inoue recommended a number of ensembles: first, a brown cardigan and beige pants for an urban style. The outfit is unified around brown tones, with a white shirt worn under the cardigan.
"A typical collar will make the outfit feel too stiff. I chose a band collar [standing collar] to create a relaxed feeling," Inoue said.
His next suggestion was a cardigan with Nordic patterns. North European-style geometric patterns have a warm atmosphere. The pants and a cut-and-sewn shirt are both black and plain, which makes the patterns of the cardigan stand out.
"It's joyless if it's just simple. So let's make one more effort in the ensemble," Inoue said, choosing thick straight pants with a wide silhouette, and a cut-and-sewn shirt with a high-necked collar. His aim was to discreetly emphasize originality.
Cardigans can also be combined with casual fashion items. Inoue, for example, matched a long black cardigan and jeans for an American casual style. A purple hoodie is featured under the cardigan.
Inoue said: "Black creates a sharp image overall, and can be used in a wide range of occasions. This outfit presents a chic monotone."
Because many long cardigans don't have buttons, it is recommended to wear them casually.
Knit is a key material for cardigans, but others are also available. For example, cardigans made of sweat suit-type fabrics look sporty. Towel-type fabrics have a comfortable texture and are more casual in tone.
Cardigans originally had an elegant image. If they're used in too conservative of an outfit, it comes across as uptight.
Inoue advised: "It's good to keep the basics simple but deviate from the norm on details such as collars, patterns, silhouettes and materials. With a sense of fun, you can dress like a confident adult."
Layering popular
It's also good to wear long cardigans under coats from late autumn to winter. In recent years, long coats reaching below the knee and oversized coats one size larger than a person's normal size have been popular.
Inoue said, "There's a lot of space between long coats and upper-body garments, so a long cardigan between them is a good accent. Layering clothes gives you more fashion options."
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