Pre-Fall 2024's Personality Cardigan Trend Works Right Now

Personality Cardigans — Because we like knits with a little character. Courtesy of Zara

We may be in the thick of winter, but here's something to look forward to. Transitional spring dressing! Who doesn't love those first mellow, breezy mornings when you notice the wind's lost its bite? It's like fall, but less ominous. And everyone knows in-between weather calls for cardigans.

In 2023, when it came to button-front knitwear, pared-back, status-y (but lets's face it, pretty boring) Miu Miu cardigans dominated fashion lovers' carts and feeds, usually paired with matching micro shorts. For 2024, fashion houses are looking to breathe new life into the knitwear category. During the Pre-Fall 2024 season, personality cardigans were the new It knits with brands like Etro, Christopher John Rogers, Ganni, Erdem, Balmain, Valentino and Chanel leading the charge.

Etro's Marco de Vincenzo crafted oversize chunky knit cardigans in colorful prints. Christopher John Rogers did longline button-downs in his signature variegated stripes. Some were deconstructed with collars that sat not at the neck, but on the clavicle for an unexpected cut-out.

Creative Director Ditte Reffstrup of Ganni likewise favored colorful horizontal stripes, hers in a softer, more toned-down palette. The Copenhagen-based label's comforting fuzzy knits came cropped to perfection and embellished with gold buttons and 90s-nostalgic, off-the-shoulder styling.

Chanel gave us a smart, belted, smoking-jacket knit that read librarian chic. Valentino's sheer, sparkly take could double as a minidress. But Balmain and Erdem won for styling. The former layered a thigh-grazing, diamond-print blazer over a cropped crew-neck knit in the same pattern. Ladylike yet edgy. At Erdem, a chunky carnation-pink cardigan complemented a black-tulle-overlain, full-skirted evening set. The sweater was buttoned once at the model's neck and slung to the side, its arms wrapped and tied snugly across her chest creating a wealth of textural interest.

Cardigans have many major selling points. The diversity in styles. The endless ways to button, unbutton and origami them. Their ability to be dressed up or dressed down, paired with a silky slip dress or worn as a standalone top with your favorite high-waisted jeans. The fact that they're made for layering and therefore weather-appropriate three out of four seasons, including this one.

Ready to get a head start on this sure-to-take-off Pre-Fall 2024 trend? Scroll down for some of our favorite personality cardigans.