How to wear a cardigan: stylish tips for men and women

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

An ideal solution when you don't want to choose between beauty and comfort.

What is a cardigan

The classic cardigan is a knitted elongated jacket on a figure with a through fastening in the front. This garment appeared in the 19th century as an additional insulating layer that was worn under a military uniform. The invention is attributed to the English general Lord Cardigan. In the 20th century, the cardigan from functional uniforms became a staple wardrobe item. A significant contribution to this was made by Coco Chanel, who popularized cropped thin models.

It can be of different lengths (from the waist to the knee) and thicknesses (thin knitted or thick knitted), with or without a clasp. Thanks to the variety of models, the cardigan will easily fit into almost any wardrobe.

Where to get it

How to wear a cardigan

Men

A cardigan is an indispensable item for those who want to look decent, but are not ready for jackets, and for those who are used to looking formal, but want to take a break from suits. Due to the softness and elasticity of the material, this wardrobe item will be warm and comfortable, but at the same time, depending on the model, you can create the desired degree of relaxation or elegance.

With trousers

Almost any pants are suitable for a cardigan, with the exception, perhaps, of sports ones. Strict trousers, jeans, chinos will make a worthy match for this garment.

It is not customary to wear a cardigan with a suit. It is believed that it is better to choose a pair of trousers and a jacket.

But you have to pay attention to shoes and accessories in order to decide what image you will show to others. Sneakers and a backpack, for example, will speak of a relaxed look, while a briefcase and moccasins will make it more suitable for the urban everyday life of an adult. At the same time, there may well be a shirt and a T-shirt under the cardigan.

With shorts

A cardigan can be an alternative to the ubiquitous zip sweatshirt if you're walking or driving out of town. The easiest way to create an image is with city shorts, and not with beach or sporty ones, but there are also successful exceptions.

Under a jacket, vest or jacket

Following the example of the British military, make a cardigan with an intermediate layer. This will add warmth and make the look more interesting.

As a top coat in a multi-layer kit

Those who are not afraid of non-standard solutions can wear a denim jacket not on a cardigan, but under it. An additional knit layer, such as a sweatshirt or a thinner cardigan, can also be an interesting solution.

Women

It's even easier for women to wear a cardigan. First, you can take on board all the ideas for men. Secondly, this item is combined not only with trousers and shorts, but also with dresses and skirts. With caution, perhaps, one should only treat the use of a cardigan in sports and evening looks. The versatility of this wardrobe detail is also pleasing: you will not be allowed on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival or in the office with a strict dress code, but in other places the cardigan will come in handy.

The easiest way to incorporate a cardigan into your look is to wear it the way you wear a wardrobe item similar in shape, volume and thickness. Insert a thick and voluminous jacket in the place of the coat, a thin short cardigan in the place of the basic sweater. If you want bold combinations, experiment: there is no taboo in this matter, there are tastes. And it is better to rely on your own taste than on someone else's.

With belt

Most models of cardigans will perfectly withstand the neighborhood with a strap. Choose a belt to your taste: close in color or contrasting, thin or wide. Fasten it at the waist or hips. This trick will be especially successful with voluminous and thick enough cardigans. It is best not to fasten such a sweater with buttons, but to zip it up and girdle it.

No bottom layer

A thin cardigan with a fastener can become a separate piece of clothing. Fasten it with all the buttons, tuck it into a skirt or tie it in a knot at the waist.

In a non-standard way

If you find this garment boring, try wearing it outside the box. For example, a cardigan with a deep cut in the back and nice little buttons can be worn backwards. Fantasy will help turn it into an elegant sweater. In this video, there are two ideas on how to transform a knitted thin cardigan into an unusual top (second and third excerpts).

Posted by 5.minute.crafts (@muradyan_official) Apr 14, 2018 at 6:15 am PDT

In contrast

Wear a chunky, oversized cardigan with a lingerie-style dress, tiny shorts, a crop top, or other clothing you don't expect to be close to. Textures can also be contrasting: coarse wool in combination with delicate silk will look interesting.

How to choose a cardigan

Silhouette

The shape of the cardigan you want depends on how you are going to wear it. The item that you will wear as outerwear in early fall and late spring can be of any shape and size. But if you plan to wear a coat or jacket on top, the oversized thing may simply not fit into them, so you should choose a more laconic silhouette.

Where to get it

Material

Most often, natural materials are used in the production of cardigans: cashmere, wool, cotton - or artificial fibers such as acrylic. Each has its own pros and cons.

• Cashmere warms well, but is expensive and extremely demanding to care for: you need to go to dry cleaning.
• Cotton products are not particularly warm, they wrinkle a lot, but they are easy to wash and iron.
• Wool is a warm but rough material that can irritate sensitive skin.
• Cardigans made of artificial materials are inexpensive, but they do not heat well and quickly deteriorate.

It is necessary to build on these qualities. If you are ready to buy an expensive item for ages and cherish it like the apple of your eye, buy a cashmere product. For those who need a set of weekly cardigans, the budget for such a solution may not be enough.

Where to get it

Colors

If you are choosing a basic wardrobe item, it is best to opt for a solid color cardigan in a color that will go with the largest part of your outfit. If a cardigan should become an accent item in an image, you can not restrain yourself: bright prints or shades are what you need.

Where to get it

Length

The length of the cardigan depends on what you are going to wear it with, and the desire to hide or emphasize the features of the figure. For starters, choose it so that it does not stick out from under your outerwear, unless you are, of course, a style guru who knows 100 ways to play this moment.

A voluminous cardigan that reaches about the knee will look great with trousers and tight skirts. The classic option for skirts that widen downwards is a short jacket to the waist or slightly below. The mid-thigh version is the obvious solution for trousers. But this does not mean that other options are not viable. For example, a pleated midi skirt goes well with a "grandmother's sweater" to mid-thigh. Just try on different combinations and choose what you like.

Where to get it

For men, variations with a length are less, but on the other hand, you do not need to pick up a cardigan under a skirt.

It's just worth remembering that in most cases it shouldn't stick out from under the jacket.