Cardigans originated in the 17th century as heavy, hand-knitted wool sweaters worn by fishermen. Today, they are a fashion statement made from various fabrics and styles for both men and women. Mr. Rogers popularized men’s cardigans, while women’s cardigans range from casual to dressy.
A cardigan is a sweater that opens in the front and is fastened with buttons, hooks, or a zipper. Cardigan sweaters are believed to have originated in the 17th century in France and the British Isles, where heavy, hand-knitted wool sweaters were worn by fishermen. Fondly known as fisherman’s sweaters, the industry of knitting the heavyweight sweaters soon became popular on the coast of Ireland. Fishermen and outdoor workers sought out the expensive cardigans that kept them warm during the harsh North Atlantic winters.
Today, the same cardigan sweaters are produced in Ireland and while still worn for warmth, they have become a fashion statement for casual wear. However, cardigans are not limited to this heavy, wooly style; Cardigan sweaters can be made from almost any fabric, with styles for both women and men. Styles include fabrics like wool, cotton, polyester, rayon, cashmere, spandex, and many more.
Men’s cardigans have been immortalized by American children’s television personality Mr. Rogers. Who doesn’t remember Mr. Rogers taking off his sports coat and donning a thin, solid-colored cardigan while he sang an upbeat song for his viewers? He always managed to close the cardigan at the precise moment when the song reached its climax. Men’s cardigans can be made of fine cotton or polyester, much like the cardigans of Mr. Rogers fame, or a variation of the thick wool types still known as fisherman sweaters.
As with many things, women have a wide variety of cardigan sweaters to choose from. While cardigans are generally worn by men as casual wear, women’s sweaters range from casual to dressy. The fisherman’s cardigan is just as popular with women as it is with men, but women will also find cardigans in light wool, cotton or even cashmere with lace collars and beaded or pearl buttons. While these dressier cardigans would never be worn in a formal or even semi-formal setting, they are perfect for very dressy occasions like garden parties, teas, and showers. Many women like to wear cardigan sweaters as a jacket on windy fall days or cool summer nights. A cardigan is easy to put on and take off and can be worn anywhere.
From thick wool to fine cotton, and from chunky wooden buttons to a slim zipper or snaps, cardigan sweaters are popular clothing choices that are here to stay.
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