Cardigans, once regarded as a fusty, frumpy item your grandmother might have worn in a thick cable-knit, have undergone a decidedly elegant revival over the past few years. Re-entering the fashion conversation at the same time as preppy dressing made its return (thank you, Miu Miu), the cardigan has quietly reclaimed its place as a cornerstone of chic, modern wardrobes.

As last year’s cinched silhouettes and this season’s funnel-neck styles have proven, the cardigan is a category with real room to evolve. But the most refined iteration on my radar right now? The collared cardigan. I know what you’re thinking, collared cardigans aren’t exactly new, but that’s precisely the point. They’re timeless, quietly polished, and every stylish woman I know has at least one tucked into her wardrobe rotation.

What makes the collared cardigan feel so relevant in 2026 is its versatility. It sits comfortably between knitwear and tailoring, offering the ease of a jumper with the structure of a shirt or polo. Whether it’s a soft merino style worn buttoned-up with straight-leg jeans, or a slightly boxier silhouette layered over tailored trousers, a collar instantly elevates the look, lending outfits that effortless, considered feel French women do so well. It’s no surprise, then, that brands across the high street and beyond have leaned into the silhouette, from COS’s impeccably cut merino styles to softer, cashmere-blend options at Marks & Spencer, Massimo Dutti and H&M.