You might think of the cardigan as the preserve of grandads, with pockets full of Werther’s Originals, but its origins come with a little more bravado than that. Lieutenant-General James Thomas Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, who famously led the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, was famed for wearing a distinctive knit over his uniform to stay warm on the battlefield. This knit – inspired by a 17th-century fisherman’s garment – was fur-trimmed and had a button-fastening front, allegedly so he could remove it without disturbing his perfectly coiffed mane. Subsequent iterations became known as a “cardigan” in his honour and were all the rage among 19th-century dandies. Vanity aside, the man clearly knew the benefit of layering in cooler weather.

Fast-forward a century or so and the cardigan has been through its fair share of incarnations, and as we can see from the men in this list, it achieved popularity among groups in all strata of society, from silver-screen icons and artists to sporting champions and yes, your grandpa.

While the late Sir Stirling Moss might have been one of the world’s finest Formula 1 racers, he was also one of its snappiest dressers; here he is taking a break from the wheel of his Maserati at the 1954 Monza Grand Prix, wearing what we suspect was a track-side favourite. The neutral shade and embroidered Ivy League crest give it a timeless preppiness, making his cardigan look as current today as it did over half a century ago. Of course, having the right garment on your back is a great start, but_ how_ you wear it is what really matters. Proving that rugged and refined can work in harmony, he casually drapes it over his shoulders and racing overalls, exuding the sort of charisma that comes with being a bona fide speed-king. Sir Stirling might be remembered as the greatest driver in history to never win a championship race, but he definitely qualifies first for his taste in knitwear.

As poster boys for the free-thinking spirit of the Swinging Sixties, the Beatles had a lasting impact on the fashion world. Their sense of style was often informed by their frequent trips to lands like Morocco and India, which left an indelible mark on their music and wardrobes. Perhaps the member most inspired by this artistic amalgam was Mr George Harrison; here, in this snap from 1979, his fondness for folksy attire is apparent in his choice of cardigan. With its plush, multi-hued yarns, it’s reminiscent of traditional Nordic knitwear, but by pairing it with classic selvedge denim and a graphic-print tee, he manages to avoid straying into Christmas sweater territory.

Once in a while, there are men who, with their natural low-key elegance, can make even considered dressers look like peacocks. Dubbed “The King of Cool” for his effortless magnetism, crooner and Rat Pack member Mr Dean Martin is one of those men. Pictured here in 1950s Hollywood with his original comedy-partner in crime, Mr Jerry Lewis, his dusky-pink cardigan and Mr Lewis’ earthy terracotta number are the perfect match for the soft Californian palette. Complementary cardigans? This is certainly one double act that knows how to work a knit to its advantage.

One of the leading figures of New Wave cinema, Mr Jean-Paul Belmondo’s self-assurance and Gallic swagger prompted Time magazine to write of him in 1964: “The primary symbol [of France] is an image of a young man slouching in a café chair, his socks sagging over broken shoelaces, his shirt open to the waist, his arms dangling to the floor, where his knuckles drag. A Gauloise rests in his gibbon lips, and its smoke meanders from his attractively broken, Z-shaped nose. Out of the Left Bank by the New Wave, he is Jean-Paul Belmondo – the natural son of the Existentialist conception, standing for everything and nothing at 738mph.” And there he is – in this still from the picture, we see Mr Belmondo in a heavy-gauge, navy shawl-collar cardigan, pleasantly nonchalant in a way that reinforces the romantic image of the bohemian novelist. The collar, with its elegant sweep and plush handle, brings a refined touch to Mr Belmondo’s artfully dishevelled look, scoring him a place in our cardie hall of fame.

Oscar-winning actor and director Mr Warren Beatty is as notorious for his talents in film as he is for his popularity with the opposite sex. His little black book lists of some of the world’s most desirable women throughout the decades, from Ms Jane Fonda and Dame Joan Collins to Ms Julie Christie and even Madonna. It was also widely believed that Ms Carly Simon’s hit song “You’re So Vain” was more than a passing reference to Mr Beatty (which she later denied, but he duly claimed credit for). Whatever you might think of that, the man was a sharp dresser (which, let’s face it, probably helped). Here, pictured in 1965 outside the Excelsior Hotel on the Venice Lido, he succinctly shows the virtues of taking a less-is-more approach with his outfit, teaming a classic black cardigan with a white dress shirt and chinos, adding some statement eyewear for a hint of bookish charm. Not so vain, here, it would seem, but a champion of clean-cut dressing. Colour us charmed.

The celebrities featured in this story are not associated with and do not endorse MR PORTER or the products shown