Listen, Cardigans Are Sexy Now

For most of my life, whenever I though about cardigans, the image that came to mind wasn't exactly risqu. I pictured twin sets from the 1950s, or embellished options that fancy grandmas might wear. But by 2019, models and actresses had managed to make almost everything including dad sneakers and polo shirts slightly

For most of my life, whenever I though about cardigans, the image that came to mind wasn't exactly risquè. I pictured twin sets from the 1950s, or embellished options that fancy grandmas might wear. But by 2019, models and actresses had managed to make almost everything — including dad sneakers and polo shirts — slightly sexier. So, as strange as it might have seemed, it wasn't too surprising once I realized the same thing happened to sweaters.

Shortly after Bella Hadid started buttoning only one button on her cardigans while wearing nothing underneath, "sexy cardigans” were everywhere. Models and actresses began turning them into makeshift croptops and styling them with lacy layers. Katie Holmes matched her's with a cashmere bra. And, aside from this staple being big for spring, a handful popped up on the fall 2020 runways, proving the trend will be sticking around for a few more months.

Yes, cardigans can still be elegant and modest, but in 2020, they can be sexy, too. All it takes is a few smart styling choices to turn a simple button-up sweater into something that'll really wow.

On the Runway

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For spring 2020, Miu Miu's cardigans were styled as off-the-shoulder tops.

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Marc Jacobs also had cardigans in its fall 2020 collection, only fastening one button in order to show off a bralette.

Bella Hadid

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The model was an early adopter of this trend, wearing her cardigan in the classic, single-buttoned way, but skipping a shirt underneath. This trick made it seem a whole lot sexier.

Laura Harrier

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This trend doesn't just pair well with jeans; the Spider-Man star paired her tiny twin-set with a pencil skirt on the red carpet, giving an otherwise simple look a little something extra.

Kendall Jenner

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Before there was the Katie Holmes bra that broke the Internet, Jenner wore something similar, styling her cardigan with a matching bandeau top.

MEGA

The model also showed us a casual way to wear this trend when she stepped out in a cropped cardigan, which worked well with her ripped jeans, sneakers, and baseball cap.

Kristen Stewart

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Stewart pulled a similar move on the red carpet, showing us that as long as a cardigan is shrunken, you can button it up without it looking stuffy.

Gigi Hadid

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Longer-length cardigans can be made into crop tops, too. Simply leave the bottom unbuttoned in order to show off your midsection, just like Hadid did last summer.

Olivia Palermo

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Sure, Palermo piled on those sweaters, but the way she let a lacy layer peek out from underneath made her outfit eye-catching and fun.

Hailey Bieber

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If you're hoping to give an oversized cardigan a sexy twist, pull a model-approved trick and let it hang off your shoulders.

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