Let us embark on a risky endeavor, an earnest defense of an unpopular habit: We believe the sweater draped over the shoulders deserves a public comeback. Making its first appearance in the early 1960s in mail-order catalogs from the American brand Sears - and especially popular among the WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) community - the sweater worn over the shoulders quickly became, across the Atlantic, a marker of belonging to a certain elite. Naturally, given the French tendency to adopt American codes, this style was soon picked up by the French upper class, previously preoccupied with matching Burlington socks to Weston loafers.

Today, while many staples and accessories from the bourgeois wardrobe - like Barbour jackets and boat shoes - have been reclaimed with an "ironic-fashion" twist, the sweater over the shoulders still draws stigma. Adventurous souls who have tried it can attest to the mockery ("Back from Bordeaux?") and the insults ("So, you just got back from Bordeaux, you snob?"), not to mention the ever-present fear of being strangled by a sly yank on both sweater sleeves.

So why, in the end, take the risk and embrace this stylistic quirk? First, because the animosity surrounding the sweater-over-the-shoulders gives it an edge - dare we say, a punk vibe (let's not be afraid of the word). Second, because outside France, this look does not face the same kind of censure. Just type "Robert Redford sweater over the shoulders" into Google images and you will see that, in the right context and on the right person, it can actually look quite appealing.

There are also several practical style advantages that make a real difference day to day. For instance, it lets you adjust your outfit to the temperature without the hassle, or hair-ruining risks, of repeatedly putting a sweater on and taking it off. Plus, it can add a pop of color to any bland outfit. Most importantly, wearing your sweater over your shoulders means you can avoid what is the true secret badge of the bourgeoisie, and the real enemy of the people: the scarf, of course!