Anyone else living in knitwear right now? Yeah, we thought so. From oversized jumpers paired with tailored trousers providing a cosy take on workwear, to adopting cardigans and jeans as our unofficial weekend uniform, you can't separate us from natty knits right now.
Well, prepare to make space in your wardrobe for another, as there's a fresh knitwear trend on the block: peplum cardigans. Okay, we say ‘fresh’ but it's hardly new. For those instantly triggered by the mere mention of the ‘P’ word (that's us), fear not. The 2025 peplum is far less severe than the previous iteration seen in the 2000s. Especially when applied to a cardigan, as the knitted fabric isn't very rigid and unable to hold a specific structure.
Case in point, Ashlyn's autumn/winter 2025 runway that featured soft, fluid peplum hems adorning leather tops, waistcoats, and, most notably, cardigans.
Styling a peplum has also been updated in line with modern times. Forget figure-hugging pencil skirts and skin-tight trousers – instead, pair yours with looser-fitting items to create a more balanced ensemble. In other words, step away from your cigarette jeans in favour of wide-leg denim.
As we're talking about specifically peplum cardigans here, we'd advise wearing yours like a top. Either do up all of the buttons to create a polished elegance, or leave one or two undone at the neck for a more relaxed feel. Layer yours over a camisole top or plain white tee tucked into your jeans, and you're good to go. Come party szn, dress it up with leather trousers and sparkly earrings.
For how to get in on the look IRL, we're pleased to say the high street has jumped on the bandwagon, confirming this is set to be a go-to look this season. Get ahead of the curve and snap up one (or two!) now.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
