Cardigans are about as far from a “new” style as sweaters can get. However, there’s something about them that feels particularly fresh this season. I don’t know if it’s the revamped proportions or the cheeky designs, but I feel drawn to the erstwhile grandpa style more than ever before. Well, I was into cardigans in my college years, but that was when my style leaned more preppy and deeply uncool (let’s not talk about it).

So, when the editorial team at MR PORTER asked me to take some cardies for a spin (“Kwesi in cardies”), I was a little nervous. My style is generally quite minimalist. I like what I like: black. I’m talking black AMI PARIS trousers, black Fear of God hoodies, black Sunspel T-shirts, you get the idea. From time to time, I will add the proverbial pop of colour, but I like to keep things smart and simple. I’m inspired by Japanese styling that prioritises form and function and my closet is basically stacked with basics that go together like a capsule wardrobe. Add in red socks here, a pink hat there and you can basically close your eyes and imagine my everyday look.

But, I’d been given a challenge, so I signed myself up for trial run in the season’s coolest cardies. Starting with a plaid-inspired knit from our exclusive collaboration between The Elder Statesman and ZEGNA. As you can see, it ticks all my colour boxes (neutrals, plus a teensy bit of brightness) without going full ROYGBV.

Now, let me tell you, everything you’ve heard about The Elder Statesman’s cashmere is true. Soft and luxurious, it was one of my favourite pieces from the collection and, boy, did it feel good to wear. You can’t see it here, but we styled it with a black T-shirt and blue jeans. I liked how it seemed to draw some inspiration from 1990s-era ska style. Music plays a big role in how I style myself – it was my first love – so any piece that draws from the industry gets a subtle nod from me.

If I’m honest, the next look was a stretch for me. I had to close my eyes and put all my faith in the kind folks on the styling team. I’m going to go ahead and say it, though: this look is good and gave me big “The Dude from The Big Lebowski” energy and I was so here for it. The cardigan in question, by Karu Research – a young brand that is doing really cool things – has a worn-in, almost distressed feel to it. The peace-sign intarsia is what I want to wear every day.

Left to my own devices, would I pair it with this shirt and cargo trousers from Story Mfg.? Probably not, but again, I was surprised by how much I loved these when I tried them on. The proportions are totally different from what I am typically drawn to – oversized everything is not my jam. However, I can see why it’s so popular nowadays.

Finally, the AMI PARIS logo cardie. I loved this one, and I would absolutely wear it again in my “real” life. I might even style it this way, with generous-fit trousers from the same brand, a crisp white tee and loafers from Mr P. I usually wear trousers with a closer cut, but these (and the pair by Story Mfg.) might help me evolve.

Ultimately, that was the lesson I learnt from this shoot: cardigans, and finding a way to style them cleverly, are grown-up propositions. Not grandpa grown-up, but put-some-effort-in grown-up. They’re slightly trickier than the old hoodie or crewneck pullover, but not quite full-suit tricky. (I’m not ready for that quite yet.)

While I gravitate towards dark colours because they’re sleek and easier to style in a pinch, cardigans might just be the challenge my wardrobe has needed. As a man with broad shoulders and long arms, proportions are important to me – I can look top heavy if I’m not careful. Balancing roomy sweaters with roomy trousers is out of my comfort zone, but there’s no denying its modern and cool.

Now, an editor friend is encouraging me to drop the all-black everything nonsense, citing Ms Anna Wintour’s famous distaste for head-to-toe black as a reason to branch out. And I won’t deny, I think I’m finally coming into the light. Who knew it was cardigans that would get me there?