Let’s be entirely honest: for a very long time, cardigans were widely considered one of the frumpiest, most unassuming items an individual could possibly own. Long relegated to the deepest corners of the wardrobe, this grandmother-coded layering piece was traditionally squirrelled away beneath heavy wool coats and routinely paired with overly "sensible" skirts. For decades, it was a garment defined by utility rather than style—a warm afterthought worn out of necessity rather than a deliberate fashion statement.
However, the late 2010s finally afforded the humble cardigan its very first true "main character" fashion moment. The turning point arrived with the unforgettable reveal of Katie Holmes stepping out in her now-iconic Khaite cashmere bralette and matching cardigan set—affectionately dubbed the "bra-digan." Once the fashion world collectively witnessed that knitwear could actually be genuinely sleek and provocative, the historical tables turned completely.
Now, looking ahead into 2026, the knitwear landscape has shifted once again with the grand return of the faux fur-trimmed cardigan. Emerging in all its nostalgic, maximalist glory after receiving a thoroughly modern revamp, this plush statement piece may very well be the hottest thing to happen to the cardigan category since Holmes’ memorable street-style spotlight redefined knitwear in 2019.
Channelling the rich decadence of 1970s rock-and-roll alongside a distinct bohemian, vintage glamour, the contemporary iteration of the trend borrows its opulent fur trim from broader seasonal movements like opera dressing and the enduring Penny Lane aesthetic. Yet, it manages to achieve this high-octane visual drama while retaining the foundational, everyday comfort of a cosy cardigan.
While its current ubiquity feels distinctly modern, the style actually boasts a surprisingly rich and storied history within the annals of fashion. During the 1950s, mid-century style icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly pioneered the original "sweater girl" archetype. They were frequently photographed wearing luxurious cashmere twinsets trimmed with lavish mink or fox collars, artfully layered over structured "bullet" bras to create an exaggerated, glamorous silhouette.
As decades passed and the cultural pendulum swung, the aesthetic underwent a dramatic transformation. By the 1990s, the style completely swapped its bourgeois polish for something far more edgy, rebellious, and undeniably campy. Think of Blumarine’s memorable pastel cardigans that instantly became a defining favorite of supermodels like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, or Alicia Silverstone’s unforgettable portrayal of Cher Horowitz wearing pastel, fluff-trimmed cardigans in the cult-classic film Clueless.
Not to mention the early-aughts pop royalty—including Britney Spears, Geri Halliwell, and Christina Aguilera—who were regularly captured by paparazzi sporting soft, intensely girly, plush fur collars as part of the era’s definitive pop culture uniform.
Eventually, however, these statement cardigans were forced to take a brief hiatus from the sartorial spotlight. As the fashion industry aggressively embraced stark minimalism throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, fur-trimmed cardigans were quickly relegated to the history books, often unfairly dismissed as a relic of tacky Y2K excess.
Fast-forward to 2020, and the cultural landscape began to shift once more. House of Sunny’s sage-green "Peggy" cardigan became an instant social-media sensation, viral across digital platforms as fans enthusiastically proved that staying cosy and being high-fashion were not mutually exclusive concepts. By the arrival of the autumn/winter 2025 fashion weeks, legacy luxury houses like Valentino officially reaffirmed the style’s elevated status, showcasing sophisticated, high-end versions paired alongside sharp grey pinstripes and supersized sunglasses on the runway.
Today, the fashion community has officially reached peak saturation for the faux-fur-trimmed cardigan. Modern tastemakers, trendsetters, and industry figures—including Zoë Kravitz, Bella Hadid, and Bryanboy—are regularly spotted styling their tactile, collared knits with unexpected combinations. Rather than defaulting to safe basics, they are pairing the statement pieces with metallic gold skirts, relaxed straight-leg jeans, and impeccably tailored trousers, proving the garment’s surprising versatility.
With high-street mainstays like Zara and Marks & Spencer alongside contemporary labels like House of Sunny, I.AM.GIA, Self-Portrait, and Revolve offering their own best-selling interpretations, the plush-trimmed knit has firmly established itself as a wardrobe essential once again. As the trend continues to dominate both digital feeds and high streets alike, the once-frumpy cardigan has well and truly secured its place at the forefront of contemporary style.
