Hip-hop has had a love affair with the sweater for nearly 30 years now, (Le Tigre, Sugar Hill Gang, Coogi, anyone?) but we blame Canada, Kanye West and Drake for hip-hop’s present love affair with the garment.
Why else would Drizzy, who was raised in the frigid air of America’s northern cousin, wear so many sweaters in public, in magazines and in videos? Even in summer. We’re not talking about hip-hop staple, the hoodie, either.
The Canadian rapper and former child actor seems to have a thing for long sleeved, buttoned down and hooded outerwear, often donning Comme des Garçons pullovers and button-ups when making appearances.
Named after James Brudenell, a British military officer and 7th Earl of Cardigan, who served in the Crimean War, the cardigan had banner years in 2009 and 2010 thanks to Kanye. In fact, Kanye should be credited with bringing the cardigan back in vogue as an outer garment to wear casually and uniformly in fall or winter.
The Louis Vuitton Don even named one of his mixtapes “Cardigan” in 2009. However, the last man, if memory may be trusted, in a cardigan and in the public eye was comedian Bob Saget.
We think Kanye was sartorially aping the college look while promoting his college themed albums.
After the break we take a look at Drizzy’s and Kanye’s best pullover and cardigan looks.
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Kanye West and Amber Rose in Paris. Kanye is wearing a Jeremy Scott Cardigan.
Back of Kanye’s Jeremy Scott Cardigan.
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Drizzy in his first video directed by Kanye. Here he rocks a Varsity inspired buttoned down with the letter D over his left breast.
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Summer 2010 saw Kanye in A Billionaire Boys Club University Cardigan.
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At the 2009 BET Awards, Drizzy wore a Comme des Garçons, button down sweater with jeans.
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Kanye at a Diesel party in 2009. He’s wearing a purple cardigan on stage with Clipse.
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Drake in an Alexander McQueen Fairisle Skull Cardigan on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
