Most longline cardigans stop somewhere around the thigh. This one keeps going to mid-calf, which is a different garment in practice: it moves like a coat, wraps like a blanket, and covers whatever you have on underneath from shoulder to shin. Velvet Vogue cut it in a brushed knit, so the surface has a raised, softened nap rather than a flat stitch face.

The front is fully open with no buttons, no belt and no tie, so it hangs in two long panels and you control the shape by how you hold it. A plain round neckline keeps the top edge simple and stops the weight of the length from crowding the throat. Drop shoulder sleeves sit wide on the arm and finish in deep ribbed cuffs, which are the only points where the knit is drawn in. It is unlined, so the drape stays fluid at that length rather than standing away from the leg as you walk.

The fit is loose and relaxed through both body and sleeves and runs true to size across S to 2XL. Our model is 5'9" and wears size M. Machine wash cold or have it professionally dry cleaned, then reshape it flat to dry so the length hangs evenly and the hem does not pull down at the front.

• Fit: loose and relaxed through the body and sleeves, true to size
• Length: maxi, falls to mid-calf
• Front: open front with no closure, plain round neckline
• Sleeve: drop shoulder sleeves with deep ribbed cuffs
• Knit: soft brushed surface with a raised nap, unlined
• Sizes: S to 2XL (4-6 through 20-22)
• Care: machine wash cold or professional dry clean, reshape flat to dry