Sometimes, you can smell a trend before you see it. My parents often recoil when they spot an Afghan coat on the streets of London, haunted by the scent of musty cigarettes imbued in their suede exteriors during the 1970s.
Yet fear not: the appeal of loop-pile cardigans lies in their ability to channel the era without the lingering smoke or questionable interiors.
Reminiscent of those gloriously nostalgic shaggy layers from decades past, loop-pile cardigans are taking over the high street with their maximalist exteriors and soft-touch textures.
Ideal for sprucing the autumn/winter wardrobe with a hint of drama, while keeping comfort front and centre, these fuzzy pieces have been adopted into the collections of brands including Fendi - in turn, cementing the silhouette’s high fashion credentials.
Thanks to fashion’s good ol’ trickle down system, the high street quickly caught on, with affordable options saturating shop windows across a newly-pedestrianised Oxford Street. Trust us, it's worth fighting off the crowds for one of these cosy throw-ons.
© Getty ImagesSmart enough for playful in-office wear with the snug-factor of your favourite weekend essential, loop-pile cardigans are the cocooning layer we so desperately crave as the climate cools. However, the question remains - how does one style such a statement piece?
Call us know-it-alls, but we think we’ve found the solution. Shop the best loop-pile cardigans on the market and style them with ease with our edit below.
How to shop and style loop-pile cardigans:
The Monochrome Enthusiast
- Cardigan: Ivory Loop Knit Wool Blend Jacket, £139.00, RO&ZO
- Bottoms: Tailored Wide-Leg Shorts, £75.00, ARKET
- Shoes: Latte Round Toe Ballet in Black, £35.00, SCHUH
The Vintage Lover
- Cardigan: Combined Knit Jacket, £149.00, DESIGUAL
- Bottoms: Arcadia Brocade Pants, £475.00, ANNA SUI
- Bag: Poppy Shoulder Bag, £28.00, TOPSHOP
The Preppy One
- Cardigan: Arrange Wool Heavy Knit Loopy Jacket, £160.00, ASOS
- Skirt: Suede Skirt, £3,300.00, PRADA
- Shoes: Striped Knot-Bow Pointed Slingback Pumps, £69.00, CHARLES & KEITH
The Rock Chick
- Cardigan: Suki Cardi, £350.00, HAYLEY MENZIES
- Bottoms: Low-Rise Bootcut Jeans, £49.99, ZARA
- Shoes: Black Faux Leather Stretch Wedge Ankle Boots, £49.00, RIVER ISLAND
The Playful Dresser
- Cardigan: Ivory Long-Pile Cashmere-Mohair Jacket, £3,600.00, FENDI
- Bottoms: Coated Jersey Pencil Skirt, £165.00, MAXMARA
- Bag: Eleanor Grapes Clutch, £170.00, JW PEI
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