Fashion Defined: Sweater vs. Cardigan

  

   
By way of introduction I offer you the pitiful statement that I forgot to write a new series. Yes, I forgot. I was even excited about it. But life waits for no woman, and it became so busy that the blog series went into a far recess of my mind. Then, a couple of days ago the realization hit me when I saw that a blogger I follow on Pinterest started a new fashion vocab board (if you're reading this, you know who you are and I thank you for unintentionally reminding me). I had completely spaced it on starting the series! In any case, it's starting today, and will hopefully be continued every other week. You have my permission to remind me if it's been a while. ;)

   This new series aims to clear up the confusion in fashion terms. Come along for the ride as I figure out the differences between similar items, discover just what to call that pair of shoes, and explore different varieties of clothing items. I hope it will be a fun and helpful journey in which you and I will both learn a few things. 

Sweater Vs. Cardigan 

  Whatever it is, I like to wear it. It's turquoise, it's lacy and it's soft. It appeared on my blog and sparked an unusual question - what is it? Sweater or cardigan?

   At first, I was under the impression that a cardigan is open in the front and a sweater is not. Simple, right? After some more research, however, I discovered a more accurate definition.
   The cardigan is not actually distinct from the sweater, but is a style of sweater that is open in the front. So, technically you could call a cardigan a sweater. If you really want to be fashion savvy though, you may call the knits that fasten in the front cardigans and the ones that go on over your head pullovers (or turtlenecks or v-necks, depending on what they look like). So, it would be fair to call my turquoise number a cardigan.

 

                                                         Source                                                                           Source
    Of course, unless you regularly have dinner with the editor of Vogue, no one is really going to fault you for what you call that thing you're wearing. If you have an inquiring mind like me, it's nice to know for your own sake. For those of us who are into fashion, it gives us more polish and credibility to know exactly what we're talking about. It also helps us to be able to communicate to others more clearly - if you tell a friend to keep her eye out for a purple sweater for you she get a less accurate description than if you tell her that you are looking for a purple cardigan. My hope is that this series will clear up little fashion mysteries such as this.

Sources:
http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingglossary/g/Cardigan.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/1003955-kinds-sweaters/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweater
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardigan_%28sweater%29

   So, what do you think? Would you be interested in my continuing this series? 

Are there any fashion questions you would like me to research? As my readers, your input is quite important to me! :)

"For since the beginning of the world

Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,

Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,

Who acts for the one who waits for Him."

~Isaiah 64:4

P.S. This is the 97th post, so if you want to participate in my 100th post Q&A, 

you have three more chances! :)