fab five cardi

In the winter fashion vernacular, a cardigan, or as we all like to affectionately call it, a cardi, is up there with the greats: boots, jumpers, coats and the like. But unlike its seasonal counterparts, the potential of a cardi is seemingly infinite, a cardi proving a transformative and transeasonal force in our wardrobe.

Its incarnations are many: it transforms from chunky oversized knit to keep you warm and cosy to cropped and cute (and a little impractical), intent on showing off those ab gains rather than serving a purpose of function. There’s even a more scant varietal that is, er, intent on showing all bodily gains, like Jacquemus’s timely (and tiny) loungewear capsule with Ssense, which proffered a fine-knit cardi with asymmetric bias button front that has seen the influencer set flock to – and then, of course, flaunt – to sell-out success.

fab five cardi

But for those old souls who can’t bear to part with a cardi of old, nostalgic cardis that nana would approve are also high fashion game. Local jewellery label Reliquia has added a range of apparel to its collective with Blanca, a vintage-inspired collection that features multiple cardis (even a super cute cardi and singlet set in candy pink) that would make nana proud.

fab five cardi

Now, more than ever, we’re seeking creature comforts, and the cardi is basically the fashion equivalent of the warm-n-fuzzies. It’s also a staple of the ’90s revival; with every It-girl from Kendall Jenner to Bella Hadid peddling a neo-nostalgic version of a cardigan, some seemingly straight from grandma’s closest (but with a decidedly nineties kick).

So whether you wear a single power piece like this directional (and exceptional!) cardigan from COS, or layer over a turtleneck (a great styling hack for winter), jump on-board the coattails of the cardi trend with these five cardis that will keep you stylish up top – and snug all the same.

1. COS


Cream cardigan, Cos, $190. shop in store 

2. MIU MIU


Point-collar checked mohair-blend cardigan, miu miu at matches fashion, $1599. shop now

3. ROCHAS


Logo-appliqué ribbed cotton cardigan, rochas at matches fashion, now $557. shop now

4. BLANCA

Freddie cardigan, blanca at Reliquia Collective, $249. shop now

5. GLASSONS

Rib Knit Wide Cuff Cardigan, glassons, $50. shop now

see more of GRAZIA’s fab five here