The photos were taken at the beach by George Barris.  The photos are both playful and haunting.

Marilyn was one of the most photographed women of her day, even the era.  The camera loved her and photos of her could make a photographer’s career.

In fact, the beach photos of Marilyn in the women’s cardigan sweater actually led to a dispute between Barris and another photographer by the name of Bert Stern on who actually took the last photos of Marilyn before she died.  (It was actually neither.  Another photographer, Allen Grant took the last known photo of Marilyn before her death on July 7, 1962 which appeared in Life Magazine.)

These photos were taken while Marilyn was working on her last film, Something’s Got to Give, while Barris was collaborating with her on a book on the story of her life.  These photos appear in his book, Marilyn, Her Life in Her Own Words.

Long Cardigan Sweaters

A cardigan basic is that it is a sweater that fastens in some form or another, whether it be by zippers, buttons, ties, etc.    Cardigans in general are a very versatile garment in that they can be used as outerwear, a layering piece, or as a base part of the outfit.   Long cardigans are popular because they can double as a tunic or as oversized outweater.  They can be worn over slim jeans, leggings, or added to a skirt and blouse ensemble.

Find the best buys on long cardigan sweaters!

Long Plus Size Cardigan Sweaters

Long cardigans are a standard staple in plus size clothing lines.  Again this is due to the extreme versatility of the garment itself, but also because it is very figure flattering.  A long cardigan draws the eyes down and creates a slimming effect rather than a shorter cardigan that would draw attention to one’s waist.

Find the best buys on long plus size cardigans!

Long Maternity Cardigan Sweaters

The longer style cardigans are also a favorite piece in stylish maternity lines.  Every pregnant woman should have at least one in her wardrobe.  While it can be a challenge to stay fashionable as your clothes seem to shrink throughout your pregnancy, cardigans have the flexibility of “growing with you.”  They are also a smart investment as many styles will still be wearable post pregnancy.

Find the best buys on maternity cardigan sweaters!

Whether you are searching for  long cardigan sweaters for women for reasons of comfort, style, or for its figure flattering aspects, there are a wide range of choices available.

Find the best buys on long cardigan sweaters!

Pink is universally seen as a bright and happy color. Not as aggressive as its sister color red, it has often been found to have a calming influence.

It is also the color of hope.  This, along with it’s primarily feminine association, may be the reason that pink has been chosen as the symbolic color of the fight against breast cancer.

Find more pink cardigan sweaters!

Whatever your reason for choosing the color pink for your wardrobe, there are numerous pink cardigans available in every shade imaginable from the lightest baby pink to the most sassy hot pink cardigan sweater.

While the light and pale pinks may be more frequently associated with spring and youth, there are also styles available that suit a more mature woman.    Try more sophisticated styles and fabrics such as cashmere and silk for a more upscale look.

Find more pink cardigan sweaters!

If you are looking to brighten up your wardrobe with a shade of pink but want to be taken more seriously, go with a dark pink cardigan with long sleeves, perhaps even tending towards a burgundy, or a more muted rose pink to add a splash of color but still lend gravitas to your look.

For fun in the sun or a to catch the spotlight during a fun night out, nothing is better than the color hot pink.

A pink cardigan sweater for women is a great all purpose garment for either creating a layered look or as a stand alone clothing item.

Cashmere is obtained from the hair of the Cashmere goat.  Unlike its more pedestrian counterparts, the wool of the Cashmere goat is extremely fine, pliable and easy to spin into thread.   It has a natural insulation, resulting in a comfortable garment, without adding bulk.

Cashmere Cardigan Sweaters for Women

Lana Turner in a cardigan sweater

Sweaters, in general, were not considered very fashionable until the early 20^th center when Patou, Chanel and Schiparelli started to feature sweaters in their lines.  The sweaters of cashmere were first introduced by Pringle of Scotland (the same company that brought Argyle into fashion) began to produce them in 1933.

However, every new garment needs a cultural icon to gain mass appeal.  The cashmere sweater found its poster girl with Lana Turner in 1937 when she wore a memorable tight sweater in the film, They Won’t Forget.    In the subsequent decades, numerous other designers introduced a variety of stylish cashmere sweaters, from twin sets for day wear to embellished sweaters for more formal evening wear.

When purchasing a cashmere sweater, it is important to discover the quality of the yarn and how it was gathered.  Today the Cashmere goats are found in Mongolia, Tibet and Iran.  There is a vast difference in the quality of the fur depending on where it was taken from the belly and underside of the throat.  If the fur was gather from the back or legs, it will not be nearly as soft as the thread made from the fur from premium areas.

A womens cashmere sweater is a luxurious staple to add to any wardrobe.  The sweaters can be found in a variety of styles.

View Cashmere Goat Locations in a larger map

A sweater vest is a knitted garment without sleeves.  While it is similar to a cardigan sweater (in fact, the cardigan was named after a knitted waistcoat worn by the Earl of Cardigan,) the differentiation of a cardigan versus a vest is that a cardigan is always either buttoned or zipped up, while a vest may be pulled over or fastened in the front.

A popular style of sweater vest is the Argyle sweater, which can be found in both men and women’s wear.  The Argyle sweater is noted for a distinctive diamond checkerboard pattern.  This pattern was derived from the pattern in the tartan of the Campbell Clan of Argyll, Scotland.

The argyle pattern became popular in the U.S. after World War I when it became a favorite of the Duke of Windsor for his golf wear.  At the time, the Duke of Windsor was a very romantic figure in the U.S. as he had recently given up his kingdom for the love of Wallis Simpson.   His popularity began to wane during World War II when his association with Hitler was looked upon askance; however, by then the popularity of the Argyle pattern was firmly established among the Yanks.

Another popular form of sweater vest is the Patagonia sweater vest which is designed for extreme weather wear.  It is a combination of knit and down with a weather resistant shell.  The construction is extremely lightweight for such an extreme weather garment and provide the ultimate in cold weather protection.

Whether looking for every day wear or outdoor wear,  a womens sweater vest can be found in a variety of styles and patterns.

Irish sweaters are identified by their bulky knit with intricate cable patterns.    The sweaters are also known as Aran sweaters, so named for the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland where the sweater style originated.    Two of the mainstays of the island economy were fishing and farming.  Sheep were widely raised across the islands.  The sweaters were spun from the wool of the sheep grown on the islands and the natural fiber yarn created a water repellent garment that remained breathable as well, a boon for the residents of the cold and wet climate of the islands.

Through the generations, each family or clan developed their own patterns by which individuals were easily identified.  The heritage of these sweaters has been carefully preserved and a registry can be found in the Aran Sweater Museum on the Aran Islands.

The types of stitch found within the irish sweaters is also full of symbols and meaning.    The combination of patterns would tell a story and extend a blessing to the wearer from the maker.  The cable stitch represented the fisherman and was a wish for a bountiful day at sea.  The Tree of Life stitch was a wish for a strong and healthy family and long life.  The diamond stitch represents wealth and success.

While worn by both sexes and all ages, irish sweaters for women are very popular.  Just as with women’s tunics, the irish sweaters are found in both pullover styles as well as women cardigan sweaters with a button or zip front.

Irish sweaters are not only beautiful garments, but are also a relic of a rich heritage.

A tunic is any sort of garment that is a single piece and can range in length from the thigh to the ankle.  Depending on the length and style, tunics can be worn alone or with a bottom garment such as leggings, pants, or a skirt.  Tunics can be long sleeved, short sleeved, or sleeveless. Some are pullovers, and others are a longer style of a cardigan sweater for women.  They have been worn for military wear, religious dress, or for everyday use.

The word “tunic” comes from the tunica in Latin, which was the standard form of dress in Ancient Rome.    While the tunic was worn by every citizen and noncitizen in Rome,  the length and décor of the tunic would indicate the status of the wearer.  Slaves were required to wear tunics a little about the knee while those of more elevated status wore them longer.

While tunic wear today Is not regimented by status, tunics for women have maintained their popularity and place as a fashion staple.  Tunics remain a popular clothing item for their versatility and for the fact that they are highly forgiving of figure flaws.

A fashionable tunic can be worn in a variety of ways.  It can be worn alone as a dress either free flowing or belted,    Wearing a tunic with a pair of boots can turn a simple tunic in to a fashion statement.    Tunics for women come in a variety of styles.  Whatever your fashion bent, you can find a tunic to add as a foundational element to your wardrobe.

History of Cardigan Sweaters

How did the cardigan sweater come about?  The garment is named after James Brudenell, the 7^th Earl of Cardigan.    Although the Earl had a spotted past, he gained fame in the Crimean War after he led the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Battle of Balaclavia.   This feat led to his status as a national hero and he was lauded wherever he went.  It also led to the widespread popularity of an element of his dress.  He was said to have worn a knitted waistcoat during the campaign.  This garment became known as a “cardigan.”

Types of Cardigan Sweaters for Women

A cardigan is identified as a knitted sweater that either buttons, ties, or zips down the front.  A cardigan can be found suitable for almost any social occasion.  The styles range from casual made of wool knit to sweaters for more formal occasions made from cashmere or pointelle

Womens Cardigan Sweater Brands

It would be hard to find an apparel brand that did not offer  cardigan sweaters for women.  In fact, there are several clothing brands that have created a niche for themselves just through their cardigan sweaters.  The most popular items sold for brands like Land’s End, L.L. Bean, Urban Outfitters, J Crew, and H&M women are a form of cardigan.

Whatever your wardrobe needs, cardigan sweaters for women are a standard staple.  The sweaters come in a variety of styles and are made of a variety of materials.

Cardigan Sweater Hot Picks

Irish Sweaters for Women

Irish sweaters are a popular garment due to their style, appeal, and warmth.  While the style of sweater was originally created for the hard working fisherman and farmers on the coasts of Ireland, today people from all walks of life have an Irish sweater in their wardrobe.

Tunics for Women

While many styles come and go,tunics for women have remained in fashion for several millennia.  One of the earliest forms of garments,  tunics have varied in style over the years.  Used for a variety of purposes, tunics remain relevant.

Long Cardigan Sweaters for Women

Cardigan sweaters come in many shapes and styles, and one that remains popular year after year are long cardigan sweaters for women.    Some ladies buy for function.  Long sleeves provide added warmth.  Others buy for fashion.   A long cardigan sweater can serve as a tunic with the added versatility that a cardigan provides.

Pink Cardigan Sweaters for Women

There is nothing like the color pink to make a woman feel pretty and desirable.    Combining this hue with this fashion favorite, cardigan sweaters for women, is sure to be a hit for any girl’s wardrobe.

Pink is universally seen as a bright and happy color. Not as aggressive as its sister color red, it has often been found to have a calming influence.

Womens’ Cashmere Sweaters

One of the most luxurious types of sweater is the womens cashmere sweater.  Cashmere is a favorite for apparel due to its extreme softness, fine texture, while being lightweight and strong.

Cashmere is obtained from the hair of the Cashmere goat.  Unlike its more pedestrian counterparts, the wool of the Cashmere goat is extremely fine, pliable and easy to spin into thread.   It has a natural insulation, resulting in a comfortable garment, without adding bulk.