Tracing as it does to a notorious military officer and a bloody battle, the origin of the

cardigan sweater certainly belies its more milquetoast reputation.

In the mid-19th century, members of the British military had taken to wearing thick
knitted sweater coats (which had been worn by fishermen for a couple centuries prior),
and no one wore them with more regularity and panache than James Thomas
Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan. Brudenell — who had a reputation for being vain,
brash, and haughty and had been removed from a post for misconduct and prosecuted
for dueling with a fellow officer — commanded the 11th Hussars. Holding high
standards for their parade and dress, he outfitted his men with brilliant, stylish uniforms,
while he himself adopted a soft, fur-trimmed sweater coat as his signature look.

During the Crimean War, Brudenell served as commander of the Light Calvary Brigade
and was ordered to lead his men into a valley surrounded by twenty Russian battalions
armed with heavy artillery. The resulting bloodbath, and the heroism shown by the ill-
fated cavalrymen who galloped into cannon fire, inspired Tennyson to write his famous
poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” It also brought Brudenell, who emerged from
the battle unscathed, much acclaim. Though his personal conduct during the charge
was later questioned, Brudenell’s sweater — which became known as the cardigan —
enjoyed a less checkered renown, and became a popular garment in high society.