If you were to describe a wardrobe as “luxurious in lifestyle, yet humble in character” – Boujee would be the word you’re looking for. Popular culture in recent years has proclaimed the slang term to describe garments embodying both elegance and class; redefining the picture of ‘quiet luxury’ attire.
Whilst items granted the boujee label naturally tend to fluctuate as trends shift and individual style evolves – nevertheless, you’ll find such garments posing as a chic and classy item to their wearer.
Arguably the biggest issue for those seeking to elevate their wardrobe to reach
To test this theory, I recruited the help of the humble knitted cardigan – which fashion magazine Cosmopolitan recently labelled as the number one 90’s trend making a comeback in 2024. Both versatile and timeless, cardi’s have always maintained the position as an all-round closet staple – making it the perfect candidate to evaluate the affordability and accessibility of quality boujee items. This is why I recently scouted the current cardigan market so you don’t have to – trying on 6 similar style cardi’s, ranging from $30 all the way up to $540 (yes, cardigans do come this expensive these days).
But before I delve into my try-on haul, it’s important to first understand the costs and ethical factors involved in garment production – which should both be considered when interrogating an item’s price tag. According to Vogue, garment costing typically involves fabric, labour, shipping and packaging costs, alongside a profit markup. Currently, the industry standard for this markup sits around 2.2 to 2.5 times the initial production price. Whilst overhead costs may differ from brand to brand, added expenses such as marketing, patternmaking, insurance and sales taxes often also contribute to the pricing of a garment (just to name a few).
It’s important when making a new purchase to question what the product is made of, and whether the label utilises sustainable manufacturing. When it comes to cardigans, ethical brand rating platform Good On You recommends investing in wool or organic cotton, as opposed to polyester or acrylics – nowadays, it’s more often than not to see popular brands using cheap polyester fibres. A brand’s treatment of its workers, animals, and the environment should also be considered when evaluating an item’s price- all of which Good On You investigates when determining a label’s ranking.
Ensuring the price tag reflects a product’s composition and brand’s ethical standpoint is critical when making a new purchase – both points I considered whilst on my Cardigan shopping spree.
Cardi One: Glassons
Price: $30
My first stop was trend-loving Glassons, where I tried on their ‘‘Ribbed Button Through Cardigan’. Coming in at just $30, the cardi offered a tightly knitted rib with a soft yet structured feel. As far as the fit goes, the knit felt surprisingly warm – consisting of 80% Viscose and 20% polyester. However according to Good on You, from a sustainability standpoint, Glassons is rated as “not good enough”, recognising some of their supply chains do not pay a living wage to their workers – which could indicate why their price point lies so low. From a visual perspective, the cardigan serves its purpose as a classic and chic knit, accessible for shoppers at a low price.
Cardi Two: UNIQLO
Price: $39.90
Next on the chopping block was Japan-based brand UNIQLO; which in recent years has worked its staple pieces into Aussie wardrobes. Priced at $39.90, their “Crew Neck Cardigan” displayed a simple yet versatile design, which is offered across a wide colour range. Its composition is 60% cotton and 40% modal, which Good On You recommends as a “lower impact fibre” – however UNIQLO doesn’t offer evidence that they are paying their workers a fair wage, compromising their affordable appeal. Whilst I was a fan of the cardigan’s lightweight fine weave, upon try-on I found the cardigan to be slightly sheer, visibly displaying any darker undergarments. Whilst outwardly presenting as a versatile piece, this cardi wouldn’t be my first choice.
Cardi Three: Zara
Price: $120
Teetering on the edge of affordability, Zara’s “100% Wool Basic Cardigan” clocks in at $120. I instantly loved the soft buttery feel this piece provided, trapping in warmth the moment I tried the cardi on. Its classic silhouette is similar to UNIQLO’s, however, felt significantly warmer and comfortable to wear. For a 100% wool garment, its original price tag stands justified (material wise). But according to Good On You, Zara provides limited evidence on minimising textile waste or paying a living wage to their supply chain workers – which is a cause for concern when it comes to their garment pricing.
Cardi Four: Kookai
Price: $140
I soon found myself visiting every “clean girl’s” go-to for timeless basics: Kookai. Sporting an uncanny resemblance to the Glasson’s cardi I evaluated earlier, the “Lola Cardigan” priced at $140 was incredibly similar – even down to its composition. The knit is made up of 68% Viscose and 32% polyester – similar to Glasson’s 80-20% ratio. Visually the only difference I could spot is its clip-button fastenings, as opposed to a button-up closure. Its tight-fitting rib provided adequate warmth, appealing as an elegant and flattering piece. However whilst Glassons provides more transparent sustainability information to their customers, both brands were rated as “not good enough” by Good On You in terms of their impact on the environment, people and animals. When it comes down to face value, you might be better off saving that $110 difference.
Cardi Five: Country Road
Price: $199
Known for their authentic and “hard-wearing” garments, Country Road was my second last stop, where I spotted their “Scoop Neck Knit Cardigan”. The cardi’s initial feel was much heavier than the others I had previously tried on, offering a delicate and intricate ribbed knit. At $199, its material list boasted a combination of mohair, polyamide, and polyester – however as soon as I tried the knit on, I began feeling its itchy quality. Despite this, the cardi’s warmth was obvious and its construction displayed high attention to detail as I noticed the loop button trim fastenings. Unfortunately, Good On You’s sustainability rating was described as “not good enough”. Whilst the brand has established a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is limited evidence they are on track to meet this goal.
Cardi Six: Acne Studios
Price: $580
The last store I had on my shopping list was Acne Studios, the
Now that I’ve completed my cardigan escapade, the nagging question still stands; can you actually be boujee on a budget?
In short: yes. If you’re primarily searching for visually classic and elegant items to fill a boujee shaped hole in your wardrobe, there are plenty of affordable fashion brands such as Glassons and Zara offering chic and smart garments.
However, an item’s price tag should be an accurate tally of the costs involved from its conception to final production. This means a garment that looks out for the welfare of animals, the environment and its people should naturally have a higher price tag than a garment constructed to only aesthetically please its wearer.
Given my findings, it seems considering what you value in an article of clothing is integral when making your next boujee purchase – the power is in your hands.
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