Ice Skater Cardigan

Cardigan: Emmy Design Sweden | Blouse: The House of Foxy | Trousers: Vivien of Holloway

The Ice Skater Cardigan in chocolate by Emmy Design Sweden

I have been dreaming of owning an Ice Skater Cardigan since I first discovered Emmy Design Sweden two years ago. I am thrilled to finally have one in my wardrobe! Elegant, beautifully crafted and unlike any other reproduction cardigans out there, Emmy’s creations are the height of casual yet sophisticated vintage styling.

Once I had saved the money to purchase one, I had a very hard time deciding which colour to order – they come in just about every shade of every colour imaginable. Alright, not quite, but there are so many to choose from, it must be a mammoth effort for their small-scale production team. In the end I was tossing up between their thicker cardigans in pine green, chocolate, burgundy, cinnamon and oatmeal (red, green and autumn neutrals? Who, me?!). As usually happens with the immensely popular and highly coveted Ice Skater and fair isle designs, size availability cut my options down to pine green and chocolate. I chose the chocolate this time ’round as it will work with more of my current outfits.

I opted for the thicker Ice Skater design over the lighter knits from their current season as I have a tonne of cute light knits from my ‘modern with a vintage twist’ days for warmer weather and really struggle to keep myself warm and comfortable during winter. I also have a lot of trouble with my Fibromyalgia in winter as my joints seize and my muscles become very stiff and painful. Thick, heavier wool helps me immensely by keeping my body warm, and also by soothing my nervous system, therefore easing a smidge of the sensory overload coming from the body areas in contact with the wool. (I know this doesn’t help everyone with Fibromyalgia, and that many sufferers find heat and the summer months more problematic than winter, this is simply my personal experience with my own condition and symptoms.)

The thick cable knit, cropped waist and slightly puffed shoulders on the sleeves create a silhouette synonymous with 1930-40s styling and stunning Scandinavian aesthetics. It’s made of 100% super soft merino wool – not even the slightest bit coarse to the touch! The clever rounded v-neck design means it suits a range of collar styles, from low cut 40s shirt blouses and pussy bows to peter pan collars – however high you button it, it gives the appearance that it’s exactly where it has been designed to sit. There is plenty of length in the arms (hooray!), and enough space for me to comfortably wear thicker long sleeve layers underneath without feeling like my movement is being restricted.

I sourced this cardigan from Call Me Valerie, a Melbourne-based stockist of Emmy Design Sweden. It is going to be a winter staple for many years, and I am already dreaming of so many other colour options. I can understand why vintage gals have turned into Ice Skater cardigan collectors. In fact, I can see myself joining their ranks in the very near future…