How to Style a Cardigan: Our Trendy Outfit Ideas!

Do you have a lovely cardigan and find yourself wondering what to pair it with? Are you looking for inspiration and tips on how to wear your cardigan in a stylish way?

You're in the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I love to share my tips on how to seamlessly integrate a piece of clothing into your wardrobe, creating outfits that flatter you and reflect your personal style.

Today, we're going to focus on the cardigan, which, like the little black dress or a pair of leather ankle boots, is a wardrobe essential for any closet.

Sometimes referred to as a vest, the cardigan is a women's garment that comes in a variety of styles. To wear it in a trendy way, select a colour that complements the rest of your outfit, creating either a gradient or a contrast. If you're pairing it with a dress, avoid choosing one that matches the dress's length: a longer, even maxi length (down to the ankles) will give you lots of style, while a cardigan that falls at the waist will be classic, chic, and feminine. The cardigan pairs particularly well with bohemian clothing (skirts, dresses) and more classic trousers, such as jeans.

Would you like to know more? Continue reading to find out:

• What’s the difference between a cardigan, a waistcoat and a jumper,
• Tips to enhance your silhouette with this type of clothing,
• How to wear it with a classic look or even a bohemian style,
• And loads of ideas for trendy outfits with a cardigan, no matter what your style is!

What is a cardigan? How does it differ from a gilet or a jumper?

We’ve all heard the term “cardigan” at least once: however, it can sometimes be tricky to figure out exactly what it means. We often use this term interchangeably with the word “jumper” … but is it really the same thing?

In reality, the waistcoat originally belonged to the men's wardrobe: it is a jacket that stops at the waist and opens at the front. The cardigan buttons or zips up at the front as well, but it doesn’t necessarily have a defined length.

However, in common usage, both terms are now used to describe the same type of jacket, which fastens at the front and can be worn by both women and men. In conclusion, you can use either term, or even other terms like sweater or light jacket!

Gilet or Cardigan / Jumper Dress / Men's Gilet

👉 A cardigan should not be confused with a pullover, which gets its name from the English phrase “to pull over”, meaning “to put on over”. This refers to how you wear this item, by pulling it over your shoulders. A pullover, by definition, does not have a front opening!

How to Wear a Cardigan Well?

To begin with, I’d like to share a handy guide on the key tips you need to know to properly pair a cardigan and make it a real asset in your wardrobe. 😉

Mistakes to Avoid

When you put on a cardigan in the morning to head to work or go out, it often happens that you're in a rush and don’t have time to check if your outfit looks good. Here are a few common mistakes that can easily happen in those moments:

• Wear a simple, non-low-cut top with a long cardigan,
• Select colours that clash with each other,
• Opt for a t-shirt or blouse that is too long paired with an oversized or long vest,
• Layer fabrics of the same shade and material, making it hard to discern the structure of your outfit at a glance,
• Wear flat, low-profile shoes (like trainers) with a basic long cardigan…

These habits aren't serious, of course, but there are some really simple tips to truly enhance your figure with a jacket!

Wearing a Cardigan and Staying Stylish in Every Situation

To assist you, I’ve put together a handy list of easy-to-remember tips for always choosing the right type of cardigan to match your outfit.

What to Wear with a Cardigan?

🔸 Pair a long cardigan with shoes that elongate your legs (like heels or boots) to avoid making your silhouette look shorter.

🔸 A V-neckline will accentuate your bust when paired with a cardigan,

🔸 An oversized gilet pairs particularly well with fitted clothing, such as jeans or a dress worn with tights.

How to Adjust Your Clothes?

🔹 If you’re wearing a blouse under an open cardigan, don’t hesitate to tuck it into your trousers to add some shape to your outfit,

🔹 Similarly, if you're wearing a dress, you can cinch it at the waist with a belt to define the shape of your figure,

🔹 If you’re wearing a dress, opt for either a longer cardigan or a short one that hits at the waist. It’s important to create a layering effect to ensure that your outfit looks balanced.

How to combine colours and patterns?

🔸 When it comes to colours, feel free to wear coordinated and complementary shades: a jumper that contrasts with the colour of the blouse or shirt you're wearing underneath will stand out much more!

🔸 If the top you’re wearing under your cardigan has a pattern, opt for a solid-coloured cardigan that features a shade present in small amounts in the design or one that doesn’t include it at all, but is still complementary.

How to Style a Cardigan?

Now that you know the key rules for wearing a cardigan well, I’d like to share a little selection of outfits featuring this versatile piece, to inspire you in finding a clothing style that reflects you.

A classic BCBG look with a cardigan

Do you prefer an outfit that is elegant yet simple? If so, I recommend pairing your cardigan with a short skirt and a classic light-coloured top, coordinating your various garments. This type of look is suitable for any daily occasion: work, studying, or outings with friends... and it has the advantage of being both feminine and easy to wear.

It changes with the seasons:

• with sandals and a light top in summer,
• with tights, a beret, and ankle boots in winter.

With a dark dress, for a stylish and easy-to-wear outfit

Are you looking for an outfit that flatters your figure and is a bit sexy? You can definitely pair a cardigan with a black or dark dress without making your look seem outdated. To achieve this, just choose a lightweight cardigan, preferably with some detailing.

👢 Heeled boots or thigh-highs would be perfect to team with this outfit!

Dare to go for a boho chic look with a cardigan!

Comfort, the ease of wear, and natural materials are the three elements that define chic bohemian fashion. Most cardigans also embody these qualities, making them the perfect garment to try out this clothing style:

• A long cardigan or a shorter one will pair nicely with a dungaree,
• A lovely oversized gilet will beautifully complement a colourful bohemian dress,
• A wool jacket will go perfectly with floral prints.

Feel free to pair your bohemian outfits with all sorts of jackets, including kimonos. Layering is an essential part of this trend, keeping you warm while also enhancing your shape.

👉 Looking for stylish jackets and cardigans in a bohemian style? Check out our collection on our online shop, where you'll find many of the styles featured in this article (and many more!). 😉

The long cardigan, perfect for adding style to your outfit!

If you’re tall or often wear heels or ankle boots (even if you’re petite), a long cardigan will be a perfect addition to your wardrobe. You can wear it with jeans or dress trousers: whichever style you choose, it will add a touch of elegance to your outfit!

A cardigan in summer? It’s possible with a short-sleeved style!

With a light dress or over a tank top, this type of cardigan keeps you warm if there's a bit of wind or clouds. It also helps create contrast and adds a splash of colour to your outfit when layered over a classic top. It suits most body shapes and brings a delicate and romantic touch to your style.

👉 I recommend wearing it with the buttons fastened to give your silhouette some structure and define your waist. If you're worried about looking too conservative, you can try pairing it with some unique accessories (like a hat or a bag...).

Another Summer Cardigan: Give the Crop Top Style a Go!

In recent years, crop tops have become incredibly popular! These light tops that show off your midriff are both stylish and trendy. There are even knitted cardigans designed in this style: the aim here isn’t necessarily to keep warm but to add a touch of lightness to your outfit. Worn with a skirt or trousers, the texture of the cardigan will create a material contrast and add sophistication to your look!

👉 Contrary to what you might think, crop tops aren't just for slender figures. Curvy women can wear them too, but if that's you, I recommend pairing it with high-waisted trousers or a skirt that beautifully enhances your curves.

I hope this article has given you plenty of ideas for pairing your wardrobe with a cardigan and viewing this garment as a genuine way to enhance your style.

As I mentioned in this article, this type of gilet pairs wonderfully with the bohemian style. To find out more, I invite you to check out our article titled: “How to wear a bohemian dress in winter?” and take a look at our online shop for your next shopping spree! 😉

Tunic and Blouse