Essentiel Antwerp Klush Knit Cardigan in Black

A black cardigan with fringed sleeves. Because sensible knitwear was never really going to be Essentiel’s department.

The Essentiel Antwerp Klush Knit Cardigan in Black is a women’s black wool and alpaca-blend cardigan with a relaxed silhouette and fabulous cascading fringe running down the sleeves. A stand-up collar, zip-through front and ribbed trims give it the practicality of a jacket, while all that movement through the sleeves makes it considerably more interesting than your average black knit.

This was an easy yes for BWD. Black, useful, warm — but absolutely not boring. It’s exactly the sort of piece that can make jeans and a T-shirt feel like an outfit.

Why it made the cut

• Those fringed sleeves are the whole point — dramatic enough to be noticed, but on a black knit they remain surprisingly wearable.
• The zip-through front and stand collar give it more structure than a traditional cardigan.
• It’s knitted in a midweight wool and alpaca blend, giving you texture and warmth without becoming a huge winter jumper.
• The relaxed fit works brilliantly with denim and wider trousers.
• Black keeps all that fringe under control. Had Essentiel done this in six colours at once, we might have needed a lie down.
• Wear it zipped as a top or open as a jacket — we like clothes with options.

How to wear the Klush Cardigan

Our first choice would be blue denim, a simple white or grey tee and loafers. Leave the Klush slightly unzipped and let the sleeves do all the work.

It would also look brilliant with the Kashba Patchwork Jeans in Midnight Wave Blue. There’s interest in both pieces, but the all-black top half keeps the whole thing grounded.

For something smarter, wear it zipped with the Kollection Wide Legged Trousers in Steel Pulse Grey and a pointed shoe or loafer. Black and grey, interesting proportions, very little actual effort.

How do you wear a fringed cardigan without it feeling too boho? Keep everything else clean. Tailored trousers, straight or barrel-leg denim, simple shoes and minimal jewellery. The Klush is much more modern than folksy when you resist the urge to add anything remotely festival-ish.

No suede waistcoat required.

Fit & actual product measurements

The Klush is designed for a relaxed fit. Essentiel Antwerp’s model is 178cm / 5’10” and wears a size S.

These are Essentiel Antwerp’s own garment measurements for the Klush.

Essentiel Antwerp UK size conversion

A BWD note on Essentiel sizing: Essentiel Antwerp is known for relaxed and exaggerated proportions, and in some of its deliberately oversized styles a nominal UK 4 can comfortably work on someone who usually wears a UK 8. The Klush is designed to fit relaxed rather than dramatically oversized, so we’d stay closer to your usual size for the intended shape, or size down if you prefer your knitwear neater.

For exact size advice please give us a call on 01625 528454.

Details

• Women’s black fringed cardigan by Essentiel Antwerp
• Relaxed silhouette
• Midweight textured knit
• Stand-up collar
• Zip-through front
• Statement cascading fringe along the sleeves
• Ribbed cuffs and hem
• 75% acrylic
• 15% wool
• 10% alpaca wool
• Hand wash

Care

Hand wash as directed by Essentiel Antwerp and do not tumble dry. Reshape carefully and dry flat where possible to help preserve the knit and all that fabulous fringe.

Practical? Surprisingly. Understated? Absolutely not. We already had black cardigans. We did not have one with fabulous fringed arms. Important distinction.