Women have long appreciated the utility and classic style of the cardigan sweater. We’ve been spoiled. To us it’s available in every colour, wool and knit. It’s only recently that men have seen a resurgence of the cardigan. Having reached mainstay status, the male cardigan can probably make its way into the office now. After all, Early Adopter status is not exactly what you’re aiming for in the realm of work attire. Tales can be told of the poor fellow who was just a bit too quick on the uptake of last season’s ankle length suit pants.
Everywhere I look these days, men are wearing cardigans, dressed up with skinny ties, worn casually over t-shirts, worn under jackets or even coupled with the ever necessary dark rimmed glasses. Clearly it’s the nerdier the better.
I personally love the look and I can’t think of a more à propos trend for all you male lawyers out there (depending on your office dress code, on business casual days at the very least). How better for young lawyers to convey a sense of maturity, while at the same time give a hint of inner rockstar?
The male cardigan has been described as the male equivalent of the sexy librarian (think of it as the sexy law librarian). Finally the fashion world has acknowledged what the legal world has known for years, geek is definitely chic. Come to think of it, what an opportune time for LSUC to re-brand…
n.b. The male cardigan is not to be confused with the male twinset (pictured left), that has been seen on Spring/Summer 09 runways, for which the workplace is not quite ready.
Terry Chan is a Canadian lawyer practicing finance law in London. She writes every Friday on style and fashion, perfectly aware that the next big thing is not looking like a lawyer.