It’s finally cardigan and sweater weather! Winter is so much fun to dress for because you can layer to make a dynamic, textured, and warm outfit! Many people just grab their warmest jacket but take the time to buy a few cardigans! They make picking out your outfit exciting because you can be cozy, comfortable, and fashionable!
Cable Knit Cardigan
Cable knit cardigans are sensational essentials! They are beautiful, simple, and best of all, timeless. Once you buy one, you can wear it until it is worn out and ragged, so you’ll probably get a couple of decades out of it. It’s worth an investment, but you can find them at affordable prices too!
Even though they are classics, they can still be trendy. Pair a cable knit with current jewelry and accessories to make an unexpectedly edgy look or purchase a cable knit with an unusual cut such as asymmetrical, open drape, or a rounded hem. A cable knit accented with bold buttons can add excitement to your outfit as well.
Cable knits are typically bulky and warm so they are great to pull out on cold winter days! For those really cold days, don’t hesitate to pair it with a scarf. Cable knits look great in short lengths and long lengths. There really isn’t a wrong way to wear a cable knit. They are versatile and easy to throw on with anything.
Striped Cardigan
Striped cardigans are great for a casual winter outfit. The great thing about stripes is that they can create so many different looks with just different types of lines! Sometimes thin horizontal strips can be harsh, but a cardigan comprised of chunky stripes is easier on the eyes.
Stripes can cover the entire cardigan or just be an accent on a largely solid fabric. A cardigan accented with a few stripes looks awesome with a patterned or textured shirt or dress underneath. This look works because it won’t detract from the bolder prints but it keeps your outer layer interesting!
Different sized stripes and colors also make a simple concept striking. Just because it’s striped doesn’t mean it has to be two colors! Multicolored stripes, even patterned stripes, are so much fun and easy to wear to add spunk and excitement to your winter outfit.
Fair Isle Cardigan
Who doesn’t love the classic Fair Isle design? Fair Isle cardigans don’t have to look like that frumpy, itchy sweater from the 70’s that your grandma used to give you. Fair Isle sweaters scream, “It’s winter, and I love it”! The great thing about Fair Isle patterned cardigans is that they will always be popular, and you can purchase them in your favorite style, whether it be maxi, knee-length, short, bulky, or fitted – you name it and they’ve made a Fair Isle cardigan in that description! Fair Isle sweaters look best when paired with solid layers underneath. Let your cardigan be the spotlight of your outfit when you choose a Fair Isle design!
Geometric Patterned Cardigan
Wearing cardigans with geometric prints are a perfect way to look trendy while staying warm! Geometric prints add movement and drama to any outfit. They can easily be paired with solids underneath and can be strategically mated with other prints to create depth in an outfit. When combining your geometric cardigan with a patterned top, make sure they compliment each other. Generally geometric patterns are comprised of sharp lines, so combine it with a more rounded pattern of a different size so that the patterns won’t compete with each other.
Geometric prints don’t need to be bold in color to make a statement. Even natural colors can be showstoppers, but it also feels good to wear gallantly colored geometric prints to make a statement. Aztec prints have been the most popular geometric prints lately but they are not the only kind of geometric print out there! There are endless geometric patterns that are unique and high in demand. Geometric patterned cardigans are also versatile and can be found in a variety of styles that fit any occasion.
Maxi Cardigan
A maxi cardigan is perfect for a sleek and sophisticated look. Maxi dresses come in a variety of styles – thin, thick, patterned, and solid. In order to maximize the sophisticated aspect of a maxi, go for a neutral solid, and if you want more of an uptown look then wear a sheer solid. A sheer maxi is great for a dressy occasion such as a cocktail! It protects your arms from the cold but doesn’t hide your dress underneath. A sheer maxi also adds a since of glam and sass when paired with a pair jeans.
Don’t fear a patterned maxi! Patterned maxis are perfect for days when you can’t find anything in your closet to wear or when you wake up too late pick out an outfit. Just grab a solid tee and throw your patterned maxi on top. Without any effort at all, you look fabulous and fashionable!
Belted Cardigan
Worried that your body is going to get lost in layers? Easy solution – belt it! By belting a sweater you can show off your curves and accentuate the smallest part of your body. It’s simple, easy, and flattering! It’s a small adjustment that can make an outfit. Belting looks best with a thin to medium weight cardigan. Be careful belting a medium to heavy weight cardigan, since they are a bulkier fabric, belting a thicker cardigan can make you appear bigger than you actually are! Belting cardigans looks great for going out and for work – perfect for going from an interview or internship to drinks with friends!
Belting your cardigan looks great with shorts and pants, but it is also perfect to do when you’re wearing a dress or a skirt. When wearing a dress or skirt, there is a lot of hanging fabric, which creates an awesome, hipster look sometimes but other times it appears baggy and sloppy. Belting your cardigan is the perfect solution when you want to wear a dress while keeping warm!
Picking the right belt is important too! A thin belt is generally more flattering than a thick one. A skinny belt works well because it makes your waist appear smaller and allows the cardigan to fall more naturally and freely. Cardigans also tend to get less bunched when paired with a thin belt!
Oversized Cardigan
Oversized cardigans are fantastic for days when you wish you could lay under the covers all day. Their popularity can be attributed to their high fashion look and snuggled-up-by-a-fire feel. Their slouchy structure, or lack of structure, gives them maximum comfort. It’s like a wearing a blanket that looks cute too! Oversized cardigans are best worn for casual occasions. They are appropriate for any casual event but some examples of times to reach for an oversized cardigan would be for class, coffee with friends, and a lunch or dinner out. They come in so many styles and patterns that there is one for every personality from prep to hipster to boho chic. Oversized cardigans should be paired with tight or fitted pants like skinny jeans or leggings. A skinny pant helps to balance the bulk of the sweater.
Statement Cardigan
Don’t be afraid to take on bolder, trendier looks like skulls. The skull trend started in 2012 and is still popular going into 2014. Skull patterns used to be reserved for gothic looks but now they are a playful fad. Even though skulls probably won’t be around for the long haul, they are still fun to wear in the moment! Step out of your comfort zone, and try something that will only be in fashion for the short term!
Skulls aren’t the only fad out there that you can support in your cardigan. Keep a lookout for new, upcoming trends. It’s always cool to be one of the first to wear a trending look.
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