How to Style a Cardigan: Our Trendy Outfit Ideas!

You have a lovely cardigan and you're wondering what to wear it with? Are you looking for inspiration and tips on how to style your cardigan in a trendy way?

You're in the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I love to share my tips on how to stylishly incorporate a garment into your wardrobe, creating outfits that highlight your best features and reflect your personal style.

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

Often referred to as a cardigan, this women's garment comes in a variety of styles. To wear it in a trendy way, choose a colour that complements the rest of your outfit, which can create a nice gradient or contrast. If you’re pairing it with a dress, avoid selecting one that’s the same length: a longer cut, or even a maxi style (down to the ankles), will give you a stylish edge, while a cardigan that falls at the waist will offer a classic, chic, and feminine look. Cardigans pair particularly well with bohemian outfits (skirts, dresses) and more classic trousers, such as jeans.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

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

What is a cardigan? What’s the difference between a cardigan, a vest, and a jumper?

We've all heard the term “cardigan” at least once, but it can be tricky to figure out exactly what it means. This term is often used interchangeably with the word “jumper”... but are they 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 can also button up or zip up at the front, but it doesn’t necessarily have a fixed length.

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

Gilet or Cardigan / Sweater Dress / Men's Gilet

👉 A cardigan should not be confused with a jumper, a term that comes from the English phrase “to pull over”, meaning “to pull on over” and referring to how this garment is worn by putting it over your shoulders. By definition, a jumper does not have an opening at the front!

How to wear a cardigan well?

To start off, I’d like to share a handy guide on the key tips you need to know for pairing a cardigan correctly and making it a true asset in your wardrobe. 😉

Mistakes to Avoid

When you throw on a cardigan in the morning before heading to work or going out, it’s all too easy to be in a rush and not check if your outfit looks good. Here are some common mistakes you might make in those moments:

• Wear a simple, non-revealing top with a long cardigan,
• Choose colours that clash with each other,
• Wear a t-shirt or blouse that is too long with an oversized or long cardigan,
• Layer fabrics of the same shade and material, making it unclear at first glance how your outfit is structured,
• Pair basic long cardigans with flat lace-up shoes (like sneakers)…

These habits aren’t serious, of course, but there are some really simple tips to elevate your look with a jacket!

Wearing a Cardigan and Staying Stylish in Every Situation

To help you out, 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 clothes can you pair with a cardigan?

🔸 When wearing a long cardigan, team it with shoes that elongate your legs (heels, boots) to avoid shortening your silhouette.

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

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

How to Alter Your Clothes?

🔹 If you're wearing a blouse under an open cardigan, feel free to tuck it into your trousers to give your outfit some structure,

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

🔹 If you're wearing a dress, opt for a longer cardigan or one that stops at the waist. It's essential 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 matching and complementary shades: a jumper that contrasts with the colour of the shirt or blouse you have underneath will be much more noticeable!

🔸 If the garment you’re wearing under your cardigan is patterned, opt for a solid-coloured cardigan in a shade that appears in small amounts on the pattern, or one that is completely absent from it, yet matches well.

How to Style a Cardigan?

Now that you know the key golden rules for wearing a cardigan, I have put together a small selection of outfits featuring this garment to inspire you to find a clothing style that suits you.

A classic and classy look with a cardigan

Do you love an outfit that’s stylish yet simple? If so, I recommend wearing your cardigan with a short skirt and a classic, light-coloured top, coordinating your different pieces. This type of look is perfect for everyday situations: work, studies, outings with friends… and it has the advantage of being both feminine and easy to wear.

It varies 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 chic and easy-to-wear outfit

Are you on the lookout for an outfit that flatters your figure and looks sexy? You can definitely pair a cardigan with a black or dark dress without making your outfit look outdated. To achieve this, simply choose a lightweight cardigan, possibly with some detailing.

👢 Heeled boots or thigh-highs will be perfect to pair with this outfit!

Dare to embrace the boho chic look with a cardigan!

Comfort, the fluidity of clothing, and natural materials are the three key elements that define chic bohemian fashion. Most cardigans also embody these qualities, making them a fantastic choice for embracing this style of dress:

• A long cardigan or even a short one will pair nicely with overalls,
• A lovely oversized vest will beautifully enhance a colourful bohemian dress,
• A wool jacket will go perfectly with floral prints.

Feel free to mix your bohemian clothing with all types of jackets, including kimonos. Layering is a key aspect of this trend and will keep you warm while defining your silhouette.

👉 Looking for jackets and cardigans that match a bohemian style? Check out our collection in our online store, where you’ll find many of the styles featured in the illustrations of this article (and plenty more!). 😉

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

If you’re tall or often wearing heels or ankle boots (even if you're petite), a long cardigan is a perfect addition to your wardrobe. You can pair it with jeans or dress pants: whatever style you choose, it will add a lot of flair to your outfit!

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

Whether paired with a light dress or worn over a tank top, this type of vest keeps you warm when there's a bit of wind or cloud cover. It also adds contrast and a splash of colour to your outfit by layering it over a classic top. It suits most body shapes and brings a delicate and romantic touch to your style.

👉 I recommend wearing it buttoned up to help define your silhouette and accentuate your waist. If you're concerned about looking too conservative, consider pairing it with some unique accessories (hat, bag…).

Another Summer Cardigan: Give the Cropped Cut a Go!

In recent years, crop tops have become incredibly popular! These lightweight tops that reveal your midriff are both sexy and stylish. There are also knitted cardigans designed in this way: the aim here isn't necessarily to keep warm, but rather to add a touch of lightness to your outfit. When paired with a skirt or trousers, the texture of the cardigan will create a contrast that elevates your look and adds sophistication!

👉 Contrary to popular belief, crop tops aren't just for slender figures. Curvy women can rock them too, but if that's you, I recommend teaming them with high-waisted trousers or a skirt to enhance your lovely curves.

I hope this article has given you plenty of ideas on how to pair your wardrobe with a cardigan and see this garment as a genuine way to enhance your style.

As I mentioned in this article, this type of cardigan pairs beautifully with the bohemian style. If you’d like to learn 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 store for your next shopping session! 😉

Tunic and Blouse