A chunky knit sweater worn by Elphaba in the new film Wicked: For Good has become an unlikely focal point of online debate. Dubbed the "sex cardigan" by fans, the garment made its appearance on Cynthia Erivo’s character during an intimate moment with Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey. Elphaba wore the relaxed-fit shrug over black lingerie, setting the stage for their rendition of "As Long as You’re Mine."
Since the film’s premiere on November 21, the choice of attire has dominated discussions. The look certainly sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms. Some fans enthusiastically embraced Elphaba’s cozy garment, hailing it as "the fashion moment of the year."
One user on X, formerly Twitter, stated that "Those criticizing Elphaba’s cardigan simply don’t know the power a truly comfy cardigan can hold over a girl." Another user lightheartedly commented on the potential market value, suggesting, "They’re laughing at Elphaba’s ‘sex cardigan’ as if Anthropologie isn’t already planning to sell it for $140 USD, and people aren’t going to buy it. #WickedForGood."
Further comments echoed this sentiment. One X user questioned, "Why is everyone saying Elphaba’s cardigan is ugly? Is it just me with bad taste?" Another expressed a desire for the garment, writing, "I would really love Elphaba’s cardigan, like a giant blanket hugging you? Yes please!" A fan concluded, "Calling it Elphaba’s sex cardigan kills me lol… but it’s also good to know I wasn’t the only one who wanted one as soon as she put it on."
Not everyone found the "sex cardigan" charming. Other viewers were less enthusiastic about the costume choice. An X user expressed frustration, writing, "I can’t enjoy the blessed song because I keep remembering that horrible cardigan Elphaba was wearing." Another person commented, "Elphaba’s sex cardigan is so incredibly distracting in Wicked 2." A third simply called the garment "ridiculous."
The debate extended beyond the garment itself, touching upon the scene’s content and the film’s PG rating. One commenter highlighted this broader point, stating, "Forget Elphaba having a sex cardigan, I’m still amazed they managed to show off-screen sex between Fiyero and Elphaba in a ‘family film.’ And they still KEPT THE PG RATING. Welcome back to the BIG PG rating era."
This particular sequence stirred significant controversy among some viewers of the PG-rated movie. Influencer Sara Burnett publicly shared on Instagram on November 23 that she and her children left the theater during the intimate moment. She articulated her strong convictions in her post, stating, "I will not stay in a movie that casts real spells on me and my family, nor allow my children to watch scenes where men sexually undress women or songs that talk about couples lying together."
Burnett elaborated on her concerns, adding, "And I get the impression that the spells in this movie were not just made-up phrases… they had a purpose! The Bible tells us to stay away from that and even my children looked at me with wide eyes and felt uncomfortable in certain parts. My mother’s instinct knew it was time to leave."
She concluded her statement by emphasizing personal conviction and the lesson learned: "If you watched the movie and loved it, that’s fine! This is our personal conviction and we feel very strongly about what our girls see and the spirits we allow in us. — on the other hand, this was a good lesson for our daughters. To learn that if we are in a situation that makes us uncomfortable, we need courage to leave. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time our girls have to step away from a situation that doesn’t come from the Lord."