Is this a safe space? I have to admit, I have yet to see Wicked: For Good—and probably will not—but much of the chatter around the Vogue office has to do with the film’s so-called “sex cardigan.” Set to “As Long As You’re Mine,” Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) sloughs off her clothes in favor of black lingerie and a gray melange sweater so chunky it’s earned its own nickname. (Paul Tazewell, come get that second consecutive Oscar nomination.)
But, while I’m not exactly ready to adopt an Ozian oversized chunky knit, I—a born-and-raised Californian with limited exposure to wintry mixes—have a newfound appreciation for cardigans. As I’ve learned to adapt to colder weather, I’ve been pleased to discover that almost no other item of clothing is as fun—and, dare I say, sexy—as a cardigan. They’re so versatile! Wear it over a white tee or with nothing underneath at all, buttoned up to the top or totally open. You’re never locked into one style.
“But what’s so sexy about a sweater?” you may be asking. I’d reckon that a cardigan begets confidence like almost no other item of clothing. It’s customizable to the wearer’s comfort and what, after all, is hotter than being secure in yourself? And if you aren’t buying that platitude, may I just remind you of Katie Holmes’s Khaite cardigan and bralette set?
Elphaba isn’t alone in her love of a sexy cardigan. Kaia Gerber and Paul Mescal have both showed us just how hot the button-up sweater can be. Gerber demonstrated the cardigan for warmer climates, wearing a red sweater left mostly unbuttoned, sleeves pushed up above her elbows with nothing underneath. Mescal, meanwhile, added a gray cardi to his Gladiator II premiere look, wearing it over a white tee and under a structured black blazer for a casual-cozy touch.
And, of course, with her knitwear brand Guest In Residence, we can always count on Gigi Hadid to rock a cardigan, like the tomato-hued sweater(s) she wore out in the streets of New York, or her sister Bella Hadid, who once sported a mustard cardigan with just the top button clasped. Jennifer Lopez gave a new meaning to the sweater set in a brown Gucci knit with a matching pair of shorts. Any way you spin it, you really can’t go wrong. So if you’re planning a special occasion this coming winter and want to feel your best self, grab your favorite cardigan and button up.
Shop a selection of celeb-coded cardigans, below.
