Cardigan

What does “cardigan” mean in fashion?

Cardigan is a garment term. A knit top or sweater that opens down the front, closed with buttons, a tie or left open. In the LOOKREF library, cardigan shows up in knit, with minimal styling. There are 2 free reference images for it below.

How to write cardigan in an AI prompt

Name it explicitly (models also understand “cardi” and “cardigan sweater”), then add colour, material and length so the model doesn’t fill the gaps with a default. Pair the words with a reference image for the closest match.

• pale blush pink cardigan, womenswear, fine knit, solid colour, fitted silhouette, shaped waist, deep plunging V front opening, narrow ribbed button band, four small matching round buttons, upper two buttons undone, lower two buttons fastened, long fitted set-in sleeves, ribbed cuffs, broad slightly flared ribbed hem band, waist length, front hem opening below lowest button, plain fully closed back, shallow rounded back necklineLR-0087
• ivory cardigan, fuzzy knit texture, solid colour, collarless open front, no fastenings, oversized boxy silhouette, straight relaxed unisex cut, no waist shaping, hip length, dropped shoulders, long balloon sleeves gathered at ribbed cuffs, narrow ribbed back-neck band, ribbed hem, plain fully closed back, shallow rounded back neckline, minimal casual styleLR-0082

Often paired with

Silhouette

Fitted 1Oversized 1Boxy 1

Neckline

V-neck 1Plunging 1

Material

Knit 2

Pattern

Solid colour 2

Details

Rib trim 2Button placket 1

Aesthetic

Minimal 2

Occasion

Casual 2