Ruffle Cardigan
The cardigan has a long and rich history, dating back to the times of the Crimean War when it was first named after the
seventh Earl of Cardigan, James Thomas Brudenell. The most basic definition of a cardigan is a machine or hand manufactured sweater that closes in the front. While the earliest means of closing in the beginning were through the use of ties, it has evolved to include buttons and zippers today. In the present fashion world, although the cardigan is available for both men and women, it is primarily women who wear this certain type of apparel. The ruffle cardigan is considered as one of the most sought after pieces simply because the presence of the ruffles creates a completely different look for the cardigan.
The ruffle also has a quite rich and dated background, being pinpointed back to the 15th century for its roots. Although it cannot be exactly determined as to how it began, the ruffles in the 15th century were always associated with the monarchy, and/or any nobilities at that time. And it is rightly so, as the ruffle can bring about a certain degree of elegance to a piece of clothing, which is why the ruffle cardigan is a favorite amongst women who are in the corporate world. It is casual enough that you do not look like you are stuffy and uptight, but it is respectable and elegant that you can still hold your own in a corporate setting.
There are many different kinds of ruffle cardigan designs that you will stumble upon. The design varies in mostly the color, cut and length of the cardigan, as well as where the ruffles are placed. The most conventional type of ruffles on a cardigan is along the hemline of the buttons or zipper, as well as around the collar. There are also some styles that include ruffles along the hemline of the opening for the hands. While in the past cardigans were more traditionally only waist length and were somewhat form fitting, today the most hip and trendy kind of cardigans are those that are long and are oversized for the person. This is in keeping with the trend of stylish, oversized clothes that are coming back into style. While this is reminiscent of the awkward, baggy style of the 1990s, the oversized cardigans of today are more of using the oversized characteristic of the clothes to its benefit rather than hiding the curves.
The color of the ruffle cardigan will also say a lot. While the cardigan is mostly worn by adults, there are many cardigans that are being worn by children as well as adolescents. The color of the ruffle cardigan that a child or teenager wears will almost always have a young looking color, such as pastel shades of beige, lavender, and maize. Adults will, more often than not, stick with more mature colors such as black, red and brown. The color of the cardigan will also depend on the dress code of the place that it will be worn in, as pastel colors are more of a casual hip style, whereas a black cardigan can be worn in affairs that are more formal.