The Short-Waist Cardigan Trend Is Back—and Celebs Are Already Wearing It

Six years after Katie Holmes’s viral Khaite look, this sweater is back in rotation.

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Katie Holmes wearing a button-down sweater and bralette in New York City.
(Image credit: Backgrid)

When Katie Holmes hailed a taxi in her now-infamous cashmere cardigan-and-bra matching set back in 2019, it created waves in the fashion world. Nearly everyone, both online and IRL, was obsessed with the casual-chic vibe of her knit underneath. The knit itself is what grabbed my attention, thanks to its subtly structured hourglass silhouette. Now, years later, the look is back as one of fall’s top knitwear trends.

Hourglass sweaters—that is, options with a defined or cinched waist—are among the simplest ways to instantly elevate your transitional wardrobe. You can layer them over a bralette like Holmes, neatly tuck them into high-waisted pants, or wear them over a sleek slip skirt. While her luxurious Khaite sweater is still available, you can also find options from more budget-friendly brands like H&M, Mango, Aritzia, and others.

Katie Holmes wearing a button-down sweater and bralette from blue skinny jeans in New York.

Holmes's 2019 cardigan outfit made her a must-watch style star.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

Ahead, I found a few waist-cinching cardigans and sweaters that you can shop now and wear for the rest of the season. Some come adorned with oversized buttons that add high-glam impact. Others feature on-trend colors or French girl-inspired striped patterns. Whichever you choose, this might be one of the most versatile knits in your wardrobe.

Julia Marzovilla
Julia Marzovilla
Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.