You’ll probably be glad to hear that the cardigan renaissance of the last few years is continuing into 2026, but this season in particular it feels decidedly polished. No longer just a cosy, practical throw-on, now the cardigan is taking centre stage and being styled as a sleek hero piece—worn buttoned-up as a top, layered over slip dresses or paired with tailored trousers for that effortless high-low balance.

What’s great about this versatile knitwear trend is that it’s not only wearable, you don’t need to break the bank to find a really good one. In fact, the high street are stepping up their cardigan game right now, and it seems that every time I compliment one of my most stylish friends in the fashion industry on their cardigan, they tell me it’s from Zara, COS or H&M—a true insider stamp of approval.