There is a particular pleasure in pulling on knitwear before the season officially demands it — a quiet act of sartorial confidence that says you know where things are headed. The oversized cardigan is August's most satisfying wardrobe move: warm enough for an air-conditioned office or a cooler evening, light enough to knot at your waist when the afternoon sun reasserts itself. Right now, the style is appearing everywhere — draped over sundresses, belted over wide-leg trousers, thrown across shoulders at outdoor suppers — and for good reason. It is the piece that bridges the season without asking you to commit to either side of it.
The edit at a glance
- The trend: Oversized, relaxed-fit knitwear worn from late August straight through to November
- Why now: Temperature swings between morning, afternoon and evening make a single layering piece essential
- Key silhouettes: Longline ribbed, open-knit, striped turtleneck, and loose slouchy styles
- Best pairings: Slip skirts, wide-leg trousers, denim, and tailored shorts
- Colour story: Ecru, oatmeal, soft stripe, and earthy neutrals lead this season
- Price range: €49.99 – €69.99 across the SOERA knitwear edit
Why the oversized cardigan is everywhere right now
Fashion's appetite for comfort dressing has not diminished — it has simply become more refined. The oversized cardigan represents the mature evolution of that impulse: it is roomy and relaxed, but in its current form it carries genuine polish. Proportions are considered, knit structures are interesting (open hollow-weave, chunky ribbing, fine stripe), and the silhouette has been consciously designed to layer rather than simply to cover. Stylists and wardrobers have been reaching for pieces like Eloisa Ribbed Knit Long Sleeve Cardigan — a longline ribbed knit that works as both a light jacket and a standalone top — precisely because it solves the hardest problem in a transitional wardrobe: looking pulled-together when the temperature is entirely unpredictable.
There is also a strong case for starting now on purely practical grounds. August evenings in Britain are notoriously optimistic in their promises and unreliable in their delivery. A chunky cardigan folded into a tote bag is the most sensible insurance policy you can carry — and, unlike an actual insurance policy, it also happens to look excellent. The open-knit styles, in particular, read as summery enough to wear over a camisole at a rooftop dinner, yet substantial enough to ward off a coastal breeze. Early autumn knitwear is no longer a concession to the cold; it is a considered style choice in its own right.
Three ways to wear your oversized cardigan right now
1. Over a slip dress or cami skirt set. This is the quintessential late-summer formula — a fluid, minimal dress underneath, an oversized knit worn loose on top. Leave it open and let the hem of the dress skim below the cardigan's length for an intentional, layered proportion. Flat leather mules or barely-there sandals keep the mood warm-weather-adjacent. Elena Hollow Knitted Cardigan, with its delicate hollow-knit texture, is made for exactly this pairing: the open weave means you keep the visual lightness of the outfit while adding a genuine layer of warmth.
2. Belted over wide-leg trousers. Cinch a longline or oversized knit at the natural waist with a slim leather belt to create shape without sacrificing volume. Pair with wide-leg tailored trousers and a fitted ribbed vest beneath. This is the office-to-evening route: structured enough for a full working day, relaxed enough for drinks afterwards. Pointed-toe ankle boots or low block-heeled loafers complete the look cleanly.
3. Knotted at the hip over denim. The most casual of the three, and the one that makes the case for wearing knitwear in August most convincingly. Take a straight-leg or barrel-leg jean, add a simple tank, and tie your cardigan loosely at the front — just enough to suggest intentionality. Janella Loose Knit Sweater, in its generously slouchy gauge, has the ideal weight for this: substantial enough to hold a knot, light enough that you won't overheat at noon. Finish with a clean white trainer or a leather clog.
A note on colour, shoes and layering: This season, lean into the ecru-to-oatmeal spectrum — these neutrals sit beautifully against denim, white linen, and earthy terracotta tones still in circulation from summer. If you want more personality, a tonal stripe (as found in Flora Oversized Turtle Neck Striped Sweater) reads as classic-with-edge and layers just as easily. For footwear, the cardigan works hardest with either very minimal shoes (slides, flat sandals) or very deliberate ones (a heeled boot, a loafer with a hardware detail) — mid-ground trainers can lose the look's intentionality. As temperatures drop, layer underneath rather than over: a fine-rib long-sleeve base beneath your cardigan extends its life well into October.
Shop the SOERA knitwear edit
Every piece below has been chosen for its ability to work now — in the lingering warmth of late summer — and carry forward effortlessly into the cooler months ahead. From the fine hollow-knit of Elena Hollow Knitted Cardigan to the cosy, statement-making stripe of Flora Oversized Turtle Neck Striped Sweater, there is a cardigan or oversized knit here for every version of your transitional wardrobe. All styles are available now.
Carry it forward
The smartest thing about investing in an oversized cardigan in August is that you will reach for it continuously for the next four months — layered over shirting in September, worn as a top with a midi skirt in October, piled over a roll-neck come November. Buy it now, wear it constantly, and by the time the rest of the world catches up to the trend, you'll have already made it yours.
