Jenny Cardigan

Cardigan & Katharine Trousers: Vivien of Holloway | Hairpiece: Ruby Lane | Brooch: Daisy Jean

Jenny Cardigan in barley by Vivien of Holloway.

If you’re part of the vintage style community on social media, chances are you’ve seen these cardigans before in a seemingly endless array of colours worn by the sweater girls, pinups and rockabilly dolls among us over their novelty print dresses and pencil skirts. Although technically a 1950s design, the Jenny Cardigan’s cropped waist and simple, classic look makes it a versatile addition to my pre-50s wardrobe.

The cosy shawl collar is darling, and I love how it sits in a slight V-shape at the back! If you love pre-50s aesthetics but you’re not a fan of the puffed shoulders on vintage reproduction knitwear you’ve seen around, the Jenny cardigan might just be the answer. It is comfortably and flatteringly figure-hugging, with a fitted, cropped waist and sleeves sitting back above the wrists in that 50s style perfect for high waisted pants & skirts, and it absolutely works with ensembles from earlier eras.

Cardigan and Trousers: Vivien of Holloway | Hairpiece: Ruby Lane | Brooch: Daisy Jean

I adore the creamy warming tone of this particular Jenny in barley – it matches the stitching on my Deluxe Denim Jacket, the cream in my Katharine Trousers in both black & cream gingham and beige & brown dogtooth, and looks perfectly autumnal paired with the ginger dogtooth Katharines pictured here (also by Vivien of Holloway). I suspect it will also look beautiful with my 40s dungarees, and 1930s style sports shorts this summer – as well as my dresses and skirts of course! Check back in the future to see how I style the Jenny over time in my Style Gallery below!

One quick note on the fit – the VoH sizing information for this barley colourway states that it runs small and suggests sizing up. The particular cardigan in these Christmas photos is my usual VoH size – ‘SMALL’ – and I am wearing it as a top. The ‘SMALL’ works well for this purpose, and the knit collar looks beautiful layered underneath other cardigans – and even waistcoats if you’re feeling adventurous! For wearing layers underneath in the cooler months, I feel a roomier Medium would work best for me. The Jenny cardigan is made in London by the team at Vivien of Holloway, with new colour options added periodically.

Jenny Cardigan Style Gallery

I am wearing a Size SMALL with the following body measurements:

Bust: 33″ / Waist: 25″ / Hips: 37″ / Height: 5’8″

Any questions? Leave me a comment below and I will get back to you!

Explore Jenny Cardigans on the Vivien of Holloway website

 I am honoured to have been invited to shoot a selection of outfits for Vivien of Holloway featuring their beautiful new Katharine trousers. Pieces featured in the collaboration series have been kindly gifted by the brand. The above review is my own honest review of the garment, with links provided for the convenience of the reader.

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