I live to layer and a great cardigan is the perfect piece to play with. Cardigans are certainly having a moment and love the updates to shape, style, and stitch over the past few seasons. Today I am walking through some of my favorite cardigan styles, cardigan outfit inspiration, and some of my dos and don’ts of layering cardis!
BEST CARDIGAN STYLES
Right now if you are a cardigan girly, there are so many styles to choose from. Everything from fine gauge to chunky oversized to one of my personal favorites, the collared cardigan. Let’s dive into some of the styles that I am loving right now.
THE CLASSIC CARDIGAN
A closet workhorse, the classic cardigan! I consider this style to be a fitted, crew neck cardigan with classic button position and a medium gauge knit. This style is timeless and looks great back to just about anything from casual light rinse denim to dressed up with a silk maxi skirt. Some of my favorites right now are this under $100 style and this short sleeve classic cardigan. I just bought this covered button one that I can’t wait to wear!
THE COLLARED CARDIGAN
I love a collar on just about anything – including sweaters. Collared sweaters have been trending the past year and this one that I own and am styling below is simply amazing. A few others I love are this one and this double breasted style here. The nod to prep makes this piece fun to pair back to a plaid mini skirt or heritage cords.
THE SHEER CARDIGAN
Feminine and sexy! The sheer cardigan is a style I like to dress up and style a bit more elegantly. I would wear this sheer knit over this embellished dress. Another good option is this elongated sheer one back to this sequin pencil skirt with only a black bralette under!
THE CHUNKY CARDIGAN
The bigger the better! My closet is brimming with oversized and chunky sweaters and my cardigan selection has a bit of both. One of my MOST worn styles this season is this heavier, oversized cardigan that is so easy to layer over just about anything. I also adore this grandpa cardigan that would be chic worn open or closed and cinched with a belt.
THE NOVELTY CARDIGAN
Well it wouldn’t be an Atlantic-Pacific post without some novelty and surprise. If you are looking for some more unique cardigan styles I would be sure to check out this bow style and this one! Also, don’t overlook this high collar black and white style that is so wearable, yet so interesting. The perfect mix! If novelty is your thing be sure to check out Boden’s HUGE selection of fun cardis here.
CARDIGAN OUTFIT IDEAS
SPORTY & CHIC
First up a sporty, yet chic outfit. I paired this collared cardigan I talked about above with my favorite La Double J pants, Adidas sneakers, new Prada bag and my favorite button down. I love that this outfit creation is a mix of timeless styles with unexpected touches. And, if Adidas are your thing be sure to check out this post.
A POP OF COLOR & A MINI
Classic but make it fun! I combined this oversized cardigan (that has gotten A LOT of wear this season) with a mini skirt I picked up last year (seen styled here), my Prada platforms, new CH bag, and one of my all-time favorite Gucci sweaters. I also styled this sweater with this easy knit, stirrup pants, and chic flats.
BAGGY PANT OUTFIT
Baggy pants aren’t for everyone. I was slow to jump on the train but choo choo, now I am on board! I styled this DISSH cardigan with one of my favorite vests, black baggy pants, easy pumps, and a suede bag linked here.
CARDIGAN STYLING DOS AND DON’TS
Don’t be afraid to layer sweaters! When it comes to cardigan layering the more knits they better. While I love a great cardigan style over a crisp button down or tee, oversized styles work so well over another sweater!
Do play with portions. As you can see with the outfits above I love to play with proportions and when it comes to cardi styles this rule always hold true. I love an elongated, chunky style over a short, short mini or a cropped cardigan layered over a longer top and paired back to flare jeans!
Don’t play it safe. Since the cardigan is already such a straightforward staple I personally like to keep the styling unexpected and editorial. More is more!
Do play with the closure styling. Take time to see what looks best – from totally unbuttoned to buttoned all the way and everything in between. You can also play with belting with either a wide belt or a standard belt. I tend to stay away from super skinny belts unless the cardigan is a fine gauge and super fem!
