A fashion trend for Fall 2024 is the cardigan. But if you’re a fan of vintage fashion, you know cardigans have always been a timeless wardrobe staple—for both women and men! And while they’re perfect for fall, cardigans are truly seasonless, even working for those cool summer nights.

Personally, I have several in my closet, ranging in different weights and styles. They’re incredibly versatile—ideal for layering over dresses or tops. Another great thing about cardigans is how accessible they are. You can find them in both new and vintage styles, or even knit your own. They’re truly everywhere! In today’s post, I’m sharing a collection of fun vintage images, knitting patterns, catalog pages, and even some classic ads from the 1920s-1960s.

Let’s take a look!

Source: Etsy-iloveyoumorephotos

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase

Brief History Lesson On The Cardigan Sweater

“The accepted lore and history of the name ‘cardigan’ is that it comes from the Earl of Cardigan, James Thomas Brudenell, during the Crimean War where his Light Brigade was dressed in a close-fitting, knitted jacket,” fashion historian Abby Cox told HuffPost.

“It’s possible that he and other soldiers wore a type of woolen coat, but if the earl wore an actual knitted cardigan, it was more likely later in his life when he retired to the English countryside,” Ben-Horin said.

Whether or not knitted waistcoats or jackets were worn by Lord Cardigan or his regiment during the Crimean War, this type of garment came to be associated with the nobleman and thus known as a cardigan (Source).

Now the official definition of what a Cardigan is from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: a usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front (Source).

Collection of Vintage Advertising, Images, Knitting Patterns and Catalog Pages

“The Hip-Length Classic Cardigan & The Sweetheart of All America” – 1941 Sears Fall / Winter Catalog featuring women’s cardigans.

Further Reading: Vintage Magazines & Catalogs (archived collection)

Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com

January 1956-A mild winter means a cardigan is all one would need when posing outside with kids in the leaves.

Source: Etsy- therescuedphoto

Raglan Cardigans for Men-1950s cardigan sweater / smoking jacket knitting patterns (avail in a PDF on Etsy).

Source: Etsy-StarShopPatterns

1960s photo of Mable & Dede enjoying a game of bingo.

Source: Etsy-iloveyoumorephotos

Apple picking outfits as seen in a 1950s Jantzen ad featuring “Nylofleece” the finest wool and nylon for your fall sweaters.

Further Reading: “Jantzen Makes the Finest Sweaters”-1940s & 1950s Vintage Jantzen Ads

I am team bolero cardigans, I think they are just so lovely when paired with a blouse and skirt. A great example is seen in the 1950s below on our young Jackson College student, Murilyn Wince. She looks so great!

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

If you are knitter you can make your own bolero cardigan (with pearls!) as seen here in this 1950s knitting pattern (in PDF format).

Source: Etsy-StarShopPatterns

“The Sweatered Look”. Orlon ad for a Glengarry sweater, as published in the Mademoiselle magazine from October, 1956. The Fall colours are wonderful in this ad.

1920s photo of a young woman posing by the chilly lake with hands in her cardigan pockets. I like the mix of masculine and feminine in her look.

Source: Etsy- therescuedphoto

1955 Sears Fall / Winter Catalog. 1955 is one of my favourite years in fashion and you can see why below. That plaid dress with the red cardigan is drool worthy and of course the matching cardigans are equally as delightful. What fun fall outfit inspiration!

Further Reading: Plaid: A Fall Fashion Trend. The Vintage Edition

Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com

Original vintage magazine ad for boy’s cardigans at J.C. Penney.

Source: Atticpaper.com

The “Just Us Girls club” in Los Angeles in 1946 at UCLA. LOVE this photo! Our young women are so stylish and I spy a couple of cardigans and even a pair of saddle shoes.

Source:UCLA

1940s Fair Isle Cardigan with matching sweater (Avail as a PDF HERE). Beautiful!

Source: Etsy-MyVintageWish

1944 Sears Fall / Winter Catalog page for men’s sweaters and cardigans, like the ‘Husky Coat Style’.

Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com

1930s photo of a young woman named Clara Foster with fingers waves in her hair and a long belted cardigan, poses casually in a random flower garden.

The original Instagrammer in the wild (taking photos just anywhere).

Source: Etsy- therescuedphoto

One of my archived blog posts is entitled ‘Fashion Highlights of an Eatons Catalogue-Fall & Winter 1934-1935‘ and it features a cute short cardigan at the very bottom.

1959 British advertisement for Pringle Knitwear featuring a pretty rose cashmere cardigan.

Source: vintageclothingguides.com

Tiny sweaters and cardigans for kids! So cute! 1948 Sears Fall Winter Catalog.

Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com

1940s photo of three girls with big smiles and cute 1940s hairstyles and cardigans. Adorable photo.

Source: Etsy- therescuedphoto

I would like 3 of these sweaters please! How stunning is this 1950s Raglan cardigan knitting pattern? It just screams Fall! (avail in a PDF Here)

Source: Etsy-MyVintageWish

1960s vintage advertisement for 100% pure-camel hair cardigan for men by Alan Paine.

Source: alamy

“Once a trend, now a tradition…the ONE-COLOR LOOK’. 1962 Sears Fall /Winter Catalog page featuring sweaters, cardigans, skirts and pants that all match by color.

Do you like this look?

Source: Christmas.musetechnical.com

Vintage Shopping: Due to the large amount of knitting patterns on Etsy for Cardigans in PDF format (so it’s always there), I have created a ‘Vintage Cardigan Patterns‘ Collection on the platform. Head on over and purchase your fav! Happy Knitting!

Thank you for stopping by and reading my latest post! I truly enjoy creating these, as they always remind me why I started this blog—to share my love for vintage fashion. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did putting it together!

Question time: Are you a fan of the cardigan? Or not so much? Share any thoughts on this topic in the comment section below and please note, I have to approve all new comments (so it won’t show up right away). Thanks!

Further Reading: Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (archived blog posts) & Vintage Fall Blog Posts

Liz

Here is a photo of me aka Liz in a favourite ‘Ethel of Beverly Hills‘ Bolero Cardigan.