An Ode To…the chic cashmere cardigan I’ve worn all summer

amy de klerk wearing the almada cardigan
An Ode To…the cardigan I’ve worn all summerHearst Owned

If you had told me that my most-worn piece of summer 2024 would be a cashmere button-up cardigan, I would have been surprised and perhaps a little disappointed ­– but the British weather isn’t totally to blame. No matter how hot and sunny it is outside, every morning when I’m dressed and ready for the day – summer frock and sunnies on, laptop and lunchbox packed, hair and make-up done – I know my look is not complete with something to keep me warm when faced with the chilly office air-con. I could pack a blazer or chunky knit, but they’re far too bulky to carry around, and having a blanket scarf wrapped around me just seems depressing in mid-August. So, without fail, every single morning I seem to reach for the same lightweight cashmere cardigan – and, while I do worry that my colleagues are judging me for my extreme outfit repetition, I truly think it goes with everything, and I imagine I’ll be wearing it well into the autumn, too.

The cardigan in question is the Coco style from the Finnish minimalist label Almada, a brand that specialises in high-quality but affordable cashmere pieces – and has absolutely nailed the Quiet Luxury aesthetic. Although I have been favouring the cream iteration this summer, I also have the style in black – and both have been great for throwing over dresses, pairing with trousers or even just draping around my shoulders.

amy de klerk wearing the almada cardigan
Hearst Owned

Of course, the cardigan is currently enjoying something of a renaissance (even though it will never truly go out of style) – and it’s not just me who is reworking it for summer. When I was at Copenhagen Fashion Week recently, despite the high temperatures, I spotted them everywhere – ladylike floral designs styled over crop tops, button-ups teamed with mini skirts or capri pants, and cashmere styles paired with matching knickers. On the catwalk too, spring/summer 2024 was awash with cardigans – in floral co-ord form at Carolina Herrera, long and belted at Loewe, and worn over bare midriffs at Molly Goddard.

The thing is, cardigans give a ladylike touch to an outfit like nothing else, and they can be incredibly versatile: buttoned up, worn open, wrapped and twisted around your shoulders or layered on top of one another. Mine has been a godsend for my wardrobe this summer, and the great thing is, I know I’ll be able to wear it well into the winter months – it is the ultimate year-round investment piece I didn’t see coming. Now, I better just make sure that I don't wear it out...

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