You probably reach for a cardigan on the days when comfort wins over everything else. It is the garment you associate with curling up on the couch, not turning heads on the street. And yet, something shifted this season. The runways reinvented the cardigan as something unexpectedly polished, even daring – and the street style set took it one step further by pairing it with the most universal staple in your closet. If you assumed cardigans and denim were too low-key to make a real style statement, you might want to reconsider.
How the runway gave the cardigan a serious glow-up
Before we get to the pairing that fashion insiders are gravitating toward, it is worth noting just how dramatically the cardigan evolved on this season’s runways. There are still plenty of versions that cater to knitwear traditionalists – Argyle, for instance, remains bang on trend – but several major houses pushed the piece into entirely new territory.
At Fendi, a cinnamon twinset was crystallised at the collar, lending an otherwise classic silhouette an air of occasion-wear polish. Coach went in a different direction entirely, offering a floor-sweeping cut with patchwork leather pockets that brought a grungy inflection to the cosy knit. And then there was Miu Miu, where the cardigan draped off the shoulders in a way that reminded everyone it could be more than just cosy – it could be genuinely sexy. So if the runway is any indication, the cardigan is no longer a garment you settle for. It is one you choose with intention.
The everyday pairing that showed up in every fashion capital
It was outside the shows, however, where the cardigan truly came into its own. Street stylers across every fashion capital landed on the same instinct: the cardigan’s perfect partner is jeans. Not tailored trousers, not a midi skirt, but the denim you very likely wear day in, day out.
A cardigan plus jeans appeared again and again, with a multitude of approaches that prove this combination can suit every style personality – unless, of course, you are strictly a sweater person. The beauty of this pairing lies in its flexibility. One standout approach channels the fashion editor uniform of very nearly head-to-toe black. In this version, a slice of stomach or a stretch of forearm helps to break up the monochrome ever so slightly. During colder months, you could factor a colorful sock into the equation for a similar effect without sacrificing warmth.
For a more effortless, daytime-ready take, a fine-gauge cardigan proves to be one of the best ways to nail everyday layering. Think of it paired with the easily adaptable uniform of a white vest top, flared jeans, and flat ballet pumps. It is polished without trying too hard, and it transitions seamlessly from errands to dinner.
Five ways to make it your own
What makes this pairing exciting is how different it can look depending on who is wearing it and the details they lean into. Stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson played up a striped cardigan’s fun side by fastening only one button over bare skin, then pairing it with frayed-hem jeans and a collection of trinket necklaces. The effect was playful, personal, and entirely her own.
Fair Isle is another route that requires no introduction. It might be an oldie, but it will always be a goodie. Pairing a favorite thrift-store find – or something hand-linked and finished by the label & Daughter – with a wide-legged jean this winter gives you a look that feels nostalgic without veering into costume territory. The key is letting the knit’s pattern do the talking while keeping the rest of the outfit simple and grounded in denim’s inherent ease.
Then there is what we might call the Vogue approach. Chioma Nnadi, head of editorial content, packed a loop-knit cardi-jacket for Paris Fashion Week, paring back its cosy aesthetic with slimline jeans finished with neat socks and pumps. The combination struck a balance between comfort and editorial sharpness – proof that this pairing can hold its own even during fashion’s most scrutinized weeks.
Why this combination deserves a permanent spot in your rotation
What you know now that you might not have considered before is that the cardigan is no longer relegated to cosy-only status. The runways gave it crystallised collars, floor-length cuts, and off-the-shoulder draping. The streets gave it the partner it was always waiting for: your jeans. Whether you go monochrome, layer with a fine-gauge knit and ballet pumps, or lean into a bold Fair Isle print, this combination works because it adapts to you rather than the other way around. The takeaway is simple – the most surprisingly chic outfit this season might already be sitting in your closet, waiting for you to button it up.
