A long cardigan is a must-have in any wardrobe because it is versatile, flattering, and helps to unify your look. Wear yours with loungewear, casual weekend wear, date night outfits, and office wear – this easy layering piece works for it all! Not to mention, this piece looks great on. It creates a long vertical line for a figure-flattering effect that ties together your top and bottoms.
Even if you own a long cardigan or two now, you may not be taking full advantage of this piece while putting together your outfit for the day. It’s easy for our wardrobe basics to become part of a tired, uninspired outfit formula. So, let’s discuss some new ways to try styling your cardigans!
First thing’s first: check your wardrobe for the options you currently own. Are your cardigans in good condition? Do they fit well? Make sure you have at least one quality, well-fitting option to work with. Versatile colors like black, grey, cream, and camel are great. Put these at the top of your shopping list if you are looking to refresh your selection. Now that it’s summer, look for lighter-weight fabrics like linen and cotton blends to keep cool. Now, let’s try styling them.
Bodysuit + Light Wash Straight Leg Jeans + Long Cardigan
The first outfit that comes to mind when styling a long cardigan might be layering it over a tank or tee with jeans. It’s an easy casual look you can wear anywhere and look put together. Let’s tweak this classic look a bit for a more modern take.
Top
First, replace your tank or tee with a bodysuit. Don’t be afraid to give a bodysuit a try! They are ideal for layering because they stay in place all day and create a sleek bulk-free look. Opt for one in a neutral color for an easy base for your outfit. To personalize the look for you, choose a neckline that works for your body type, whether a v-neck, scoop, crew, or square.
Bottoms
Next, update your jeans for the look. Swap out your skinny jeans for on-trend light-wash straight-leg jeans. This slightly looser cut pairs beautifully with the form-fitting bodysuit on top for a well-balanced silhouette. Try a pair with a vintage look and light distressing for a relaxed warm-weather look.
Shoes, Cardigan, and Finishing Touches
Next, add your shoes of choice and a cardigan! Nearly any footwear will do. Try it with a pair of slides or mules for an elevated casual look. Then, top it off with your long cardigan. The simplicity of this outfit means you can choose an option with a few more design details if you want. A marled or textured open knit would look great here. Feel free to accessorize with layered necklaces and your shoe of choice to pull the full look together!
White T-shirt + Joggers + Sneakers + Long Cardigan
Wearing your long cardigan with a casual jeans look might be second nature, but have you tried it over an athleisure look yet? This outfit transitions perfectly from lounging at home to running errands or even meeting up with friends, all while comfortably wrapped up in your cozy cardigan.
Top
Start the look with a simple white tee. It’s a piece that’s surely already in your wardrobe and will make a great foundation for the look! Any tee will do. Again, this is a wardrobe essential, so be sure to add a fresh option to your wardrobe this season if you don’t have one now or yours needs replacing. It will get tons of wear, so choose an option that is good quality, fits you well, and isn’t too sheer for every day.
Bottoms
Pair your tee with a pair of joggers. We all stocked up on them during quarantine, so we might as well look for fun new ways to style them now! They’re not just for lounging at home anymore. Your joggers can easily be elevated with thoughtful styling and a couple of accessories to wear out. For this look, choose a pair of joggers that aren’t too baggy or slouchy. This helps to keep things looking neat and polished. Because the rest of the look is more relaxed in fit, it’s nice to find a pair with structural details like ribbing at the hems and waistband or fabric that holds its shape well. Try them in a fun color or pattern to add dimension!
Shoes, Cardigan, and Finishing Touches
Next up are shoes. What better footwear is there to go with joggers than a pair of sneakers? The white leather sneaker has become a mainstay in our wardrobes and has proven to be endlessly versatile. Try your leather sneakers here (white or other neutrals are easiest) to maintain the effortless but put-together aesthetic. Comfortable yet stylish is always a winning combo for footwear.
Of course, round out your look with a long cardigan! This is another opportunity to add a pop of color, or a neutral shade will work as well as ever here. The cardigan adds intentionality to your athleisure look to keep things elevated.
Slinky Cami + Tie Waist Shorts + Long Cardigan
We’ve seen a couple of casual options for your long cardigan, but what about a look for date night or going out to dinner? Not a problem, a long cardigan is perfect here too.
Top
Much like the last two looks, let’s start this one with a layering basic. The slinky cami is perfect for a simple date night top. Look for fabrics that drape nicely, such as chiffon or satin, to give this outfit a more romantic feel. Slightly lower cut necklines such as a V-neck are perfect.
Bottoms
For bottoms, try an on-trend tie waist short or pants. This detail has been immensely popular the last few seasons, and for good reason! It cinches you in at the waist while still providing a forgiving fit, so the result is very figure-flattering. It also adds a touch of playfulness to keep this look fresh and just youthful enough. Plus, it’s always good to have an alternative to jeans so your wardrobe doesn’t get too monotonous. Shorts are great in this look for summer, but a cropped wide-leg would also work beautifully.
Shoes, Cardigan, and Finishing Touches
Wrap up the look with a long, lightweight cardigan and your shoe of choice. A lightweight, fine gauge knit cardigan keeps the slinky feminine feel of the top and allows the tie waist bottoms to remain the focal point. For shoes, go for a strappy heeled sandal. They give your outfit a bit of a lift while keeping things clean and simple.
Wrap Up
Try these outfits yourself to fall in love with new ways to wear your long cardigan! These looks are just a start to the styling options you have with this versatile layering piece, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Try incorporating a cardigan into your outfit for various occasions or pair it with a different pair of pants every day to keep the inspiration going.
Looking for a little extra help translating this piece in your own closet? Reach out to us to set up an appointment. We’ll help you shop to fill in wardrobe gaps and style your new and old pieces together for cohesive looks. Plus, we offer services virtually to make this more convenient than ever! Be sure to read through our intro to our 3-step process to get a better idea of what this would look like for you. There’s never been a better time to get started on your style goals, and we’re here to help you get there.
For more fashion tips and styling ideas, be sure to check back on our blog page weekly!
