How to Use the Amazing Powers of a Cardigan
Three is the magic number for adding style to an outfit. The cardigan is a third piece, and thereby has the power to transform whatever you put it over. The cardigan can dress up or dress down your outfit. And if you started with two pieces (i.e., a top and a bottom, or a dress and a belt) the third piece can add your own personal style to them. So let’s take a look at how to use the amazing powers of a cardigan.
As you can see in the photo above, just adding a cardigan to one piece (the dress) changes the whole mood of your outfit. The basic gray knit cardigan makes the lace dress wearable for day and casual events.
This post is a part of my series on Style Tips. Age doesn’t matter. Whatever your taste, everyone can use the following tips to show their true selves.
Style Tip: How to Use the Amazing Powers of a Cardigan
The original idea for this post was:
Dress down a pretty or bold outfit with a casual cardigan.
But as soon as I chose this idea, I agreed to go out to dinner with my husband. It was a Friday night and I was wearing gray Pajama Jeans, an aqua undershirt and an ivory zip-front hoodie. So I quickly swapped the hoodie sweater for an embellished cardigan, switched my clogs for leopard-print kitten-heel ankle boots and went out the door suddenly dressed up.
So the cardigan can go both ways. If it is plain, classic and/or casual it can dress down your outfit. If it is embellished, fancy or made of fine material it can dress up your outfit.
Therefore, I decided to add the antithesis of the above tip:
Dress up a plain or basic outfit with a special cardigan.
Fringe Cardigan from Metrostyle
As you can see, cardigans come in many styles, materials, patterns, and in different colors with different trims. There are short, cropped and long cardis. There are shrugs, drapes, hoodies and boyfriend cardis. Even if all you wear is jeans and a white tee with each of these different types of cardis, you will have a different look each time!
Actually, whatever your third piece of choice is, it can alter the vibes of your basic outfit. Another third piece similar to a cardigan is a jacket. And, like the cardigan, there are many different types of jackets: moto jackets in all sorts of materials (there’s even a moto cardigan), leather jackets, jean jackets, embroidered jackets, velvet jackets, fur jackets, silk jackets, linen jackets, blazers of all sorts, cropped jackets, etc. The same principles apply!
So was this helpful in inspiring you to use cardigans in ways you hadn’t been thinking of? Let us know in the comments below!
Like this post? You might like to read other posts in my Style Tips series. Here are a few topics you can find there:
- “How to Save Money by Embellishing with Accessories”
- “How to Absolutely Rock a Short Skirt at Any Age”
- “Watch What Happens When You Use These 7 Style Tips”
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Angie
Whenever I think of cardigans, I usually think boring, but your examples are beautiful and stylish. They’ve come a long way! I’m going to have a look around and see if I can get creative.
Thank you so much for your comment, Sandra! My signature piece is a scarf, so I basically never wore basics alone without a scarf or accent jewelry. That’s what has always kept me from being bored. Exploring the infinite possibilities in which I can combine one piece, such as a cardigan, with other pieces of clothing in my wardrobe also keeps me from being bored. That’s why I focus on offering outfit ideas on my blog. :)- Angie
These cardigans are great for dressing up jeans!
❤️carmen
My favorite cardigan is the one I put on every morning after I get out of bed. It is one of the Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigans. It is better than wrapping up in a robe. Almost like a kids safety blanket
I just had to look up that cardi when I read your comment. It looks a lot like what I call my “cozy cardi” that I found at Dress Barn, which is my favorite go-to for around the houses! 😀
Angie, I love how you share the different looks we can achieve simply by swapping out a couple pieces! I tend to stick with basic solid shades but you now inspire me to try mixing in some patterned cardigans, as well! Personally, I gravitate towards pieces that can dress up or down, as needed.
My aim is to inspire you, so you just made me happy! 😀