6 fresh ways to style a cardigan and jeans, fashion's easiest way to look stylish right now

It’s been six years since the formerly under-appreciated cardigan first broke the internet. Katie Holmes was photographed in New York wearing a Khaite cashmere bra-and-cardi combination, kickstarting what would become an enduring revival. As she held her arm out to hail a cab, her oatmeal knit slipped just the right amount down her shoulders to reveal a hint of bra and a post-summer holiday tan. With it she wore a pair of straight-leg blue jeans, black mules and oversized shades. It was a perfect look; sexy, but nonchalant. The cardigan-and-jeans formula was suddenly ‘fashion’.

The second stage of the cardi’s rise came via Paris, where it was appropriated by stylish locals including Jeanne Damas, Camille Rowe and Anne-Laure Mais. Worn with high-waisted jeans (straight or wide-leg), it’s left tucked in like a T-shirt, a few buttons left undone. Alternatively, it’s draped over the shoulders like a scarf and loosely knotted at the front.

Earlier this autumn, patron saint of the cardi-jeans combination Katie Holmes delivered another take on the look - this time with an oversized grandad-inspired style styled with a shirt, baggy jeans and patent Mary-Janes. Cosy, relaxed and low-key, it felt very Nora Ephron romcom heroine - fresh, yet faintly nostalgic.

All this is to say it’s an outfit model with range-one that can be adapted and tweaked depending on your sensibility. Here, we round up five different ways of making the look work for you this winter.

Baggy jeans + grey cardigan + pointed boots

Looser-fit jeans have become 2025’s most popular silhouette, and the perfect contrast to a more feminine, fitted cardigan. Keep a few buttons undone at the top, or-for those happy to bare their abs like Berlin influencer Sophia Geiss-undo the bottom buttons, or let them sit aside the zipper.

Maxi coat + straight-leg jeans + oatmeal cardigan

An oatmeal cardigan (Navygrey does the best) works with every colour, but is offset particularly well with faded blue jeans. A longline coat will bring a sense of theatre and perfectly finished off with a judiciously tied triangle scarf, a key accessory for winter.

Frayed jeans + cropped cardigan + heels

Consider a cropped cardigan in a bold colour (this one from Marc Jacobs is perfect) and wear with frayed jeans for an upbeat outfit that will tow the line between night and day. Swap ballet pumps or loafers for a statement heel for after-dark milage.

Twinset cardigan + high-waisted, wide-leg jeans

Give a twinset cardigan a contemporary edge and style with denim. Layer under a vest or a T-shirt and let it sit on top of your jeans rather than tucked in - a high-waisted, wide-leg adds a sense of polish.

Black jeans + black oversized cardigan + headscarf

Head-to-toe black is a perennially elegant choice, and oversized proportions will instantly bring an outfit up to date. Create contrast with bright white accessories - a white bag and/or neckerchief tick all the right boxes. A pair of kitten heels will provide an elongated, more streamlined silhouette.

Roll neck + cropped jeans + longline cardigan

Treat a chunky cardigan like a jacket and layer over a roll neck. The idea is to give an oversized style a more refined appeal. Team with a pair of cropped jeans and boots for a pulled-together look that’s warm, yet stylish.

All images: Getty

This article was originally published on harpersbazaar.com/uk

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