The Cardigan Post

This post has been rattling around in my head for about a week.  It all started when a friend and I were having a discussion (through email, not a face to face discussion) about the pearls she wore to church.  In the course of said discussion, she commented that some day she wanted to own as many cardigans as Mimi and me.

Now, Mimi and I do have a lot of cardigans, and more than one of which could be considered the same (or close to it).  Many is the time we have shown up at church wearing alarmingly similar outfits.  We've even joked that we should call each other before we leave the house to make sure we won't be twinners!  :)

Slight digression - As you can already tell, we both have much the same taste in clothing styles.  We both like to shop at Eddie Bauer and yes, we know that sometimes (many times) the clothing there is a little expensive.  We have the "Eddie Bauer theory" that when you purchase something that is a little steep, we both can completely justify the purchase because we are also very much keepers of said clothes, for a long time, therefore, getting many wearings out of those quality Eddie Bauer clothes.  Note that I rarely buy something at EB that is not on sale, so that makes our theory even better!  This, of course, would not work if one or both of us were fashionistas and wore something for one season, then passed it off to the thrift shop.  Come to think of it, rarely do I give something to my favorite second hand shop that I don't feel a little bad because it is usually out of style and very worn out - possibly with a broken zipper, a stain on it or a hole in it.  I'm not sure I'm doing them any favors being a donor.

Now, back to the original post...

Cardigan - a usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front

Origin - James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan †1868 English soldier

First Known Use: 1862

Geographical location - former county W Wales ∗ Aberystwyth

As far as cardigans go, they may be my favorite clothing item -
-They don't have to be a perfect fit, like jeans.  Ugh!!  In other words, THEY ARE COMFORTABLE!!
-They keep you warm.  My favorite time of year is when the autumn air starts getting crisp, and the weather begs for a cardigan!  Heaven!!!
-They are not fussy.  They just do their job, then quietly wait for the next time they are called into service.
-They are versatile!  I can wear a cardigan all day long, starting with Seminary, switching out of my skirt to pants/jeans, and go the rest of the day!  You gotta love such an accommodating piece of clothing.  In fact, today, that very thing happened.  I am still wearing the cardigan I put on at 5:45 this morning.  Again, ya gotta love it!!
-For the most part, they are easy to take care of.  (At least the ones I buy).  As long as I remember to wear an apron when I cook, I don't have to wash my cardigans very often, and when I do, they seem to come out of the laundry room no worse for the wear.
-They invoke images of Mr. Rogers, and librarians.  Two things I love!  (One of the blogs I like to follow "The English Geek", is written by a part-time librarian, and she posted about her life as a librarian and they part cardigans play, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.  You'll just have to take my word.)
-It seems they were first used exactly 100 years before I was born!  That has to mean something!
-Given my love for all things across the pond, it seems fitting they are named after a place exactly there - across the pond!  :)
I'm sure there are more, but suffice to say, those are reasons enough.  I (heart) cardigans.
Ah cardigans!!

Not convinced of my adoration for the cardigan? Consider this quote from Ashley during planning for her wedding.  I was stressing about what to wear, and she said "Mom, you cannot wear a cardigan and khaki skirt!"  :)  It still makes me chuckle when I bring that to mind.

(In case you are wondering, I do not have a count on my cardigans.  I know there are a lot, but I haven't had to build a wing onto my bedroom to house them, so I think I'm okay.  Plus, I can justify their presence in my closet because I wear them!  OFTEN!  Especially this time of year.)

Have I mentioned that I just got one in the mail?  Today.  From Eddie Bauer!  Yes!!