How to Style a Cardigan: Trendy Outfit Ideas!

Got a nice cardigan and wondering what to pair it with? Looking for inspiration and tips on how to wear your cardigan stylishly?

You’ve come to the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I love sharing my tips on how to stylishly incorporate an outfit into your wardrobe, creating looks that enhance your features and reflect your personality.

Today, we're going to take a closer look at the cardigan, which is, much like the little black dress or a pair of leather ankle boots, an essential piece in any wardrobe.

Also known as a vest, the cardigan is a women's garment that comes in various styles. To wear it in a trendy way, choose a colour that complements the rest of your outfit, which can create either a gradient or a contrast. If you're teaming it up with a dress, avoid picking one that’s the same length as the dress: a long or even maxi cardigan (reaching down to the ankles) will give you a stylish look, while a cardigan that falls at the waist will be classic, elegant, and feminine. The cardigan pairs particularly well with bohemian clothing (skirts, dresses) and more classic trousers, like jeans.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

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

What is a cardigan? How is it different from a vest or a sweater?

We’ve all heard the term “cardigan” at least once, but it can be a bit tricky to understand exactly what it is. This term is often used interchangeably with the word “vest”... but are they really the same thing?

Actually, the vest 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 be buttoned or zipped up at the front, but it doesn’t necessarily have a defined length.

However, due to 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 both terms, and even other terms like sweater or light jacket!

Gilet or Cardigan / Pullover 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 draw over”. This refers to how you wear the garment by pulling it over your shoulders. By definition, a pullover does not have any openings at the front!

How to Style a Cardigan?

To kick things off, here’s a handy guide on the key tips you need to know for matching a cardigan correctly and turning it into a genuine asset in your wardrobe. 😉

Mistakes to Avoid

When you put on a vest in the morning for work or when heading out, it’s common to be in a rush and not have the time to check if your outfit looks good on you. Here are a few small mistakes that are easily made during these moments:

• Wear a simple top without a deep neckline together with a long cardigan,
• Choose colours that clash and don’t match well,
• Wear a t-shirt or blouse that’s too long paired with a long or oversized vest,
• Layer fabrics of the same shade and material, making it hard to tell how your outfit is structured at first glance,
• Wear flat and low shoes (like sneakers) with a basic long cardigan…

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

Wearing a Cardigan and Staying Stylish in Every Situation

To help you out, I've put together a simple 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 looking shorter.

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

🔸 An oversized gilet pairs especially well with form-fitting clothing, like 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 pants to give your outfit a more structured look,

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

🔹 If you're wearing a dress, opt for a cardigan that’s either longer or cropped to waist level. It’s important to create a layering effect to ensure that your outfit looks balanced.

How to Match Colours and Patterns?

🔸 When it comes to colours, don't hesitate to wear coordinated and complementary shades: a sweater that contrasts with the colour of the shirt or blouse you're wearing underneath will stand out much better!

🔸 If the clothing you’re wearing under your cardigan has a pattern, go for a solid-coloured cardigan that features a shade found in small amounts on the print or one that’s completely absent from it, yet still complements the overall look.

How to Style a Cardigan?

Now that you know the main golden rules for wearing a cardigan, I’d like to share a little selection of outfits featuring this garment, so you can get inspired to discover the style that suits you best.

A Classic and Chic Look with a Cardigan

Do you love an outfit that’s stylish yet simple? In that case, I recommend pairing your cardigan with a short skirt and a classic top in a light colour, coordinating your different pieces. This kind of look is suitable for all your daily situations: work, studies, outings with friends… and the best part is that it’s 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 chic and easy-to-wear outfit

Looking for an outfit that flatters your figure and is sexy at the same time? You can definitely pair a cardigan with a black or dark dress without making your look seem old-fashioned. All you need to do is choose a lightweight cardigan, possibly with some lace details.

👢 Heeled boots or thigh-high boots would be perfect to match this outfit!

Embrace the boho chic look with a cardigan!

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

• A long cardigan or a shorter one pairs nicely with a dungaree,
• A nice oversized vest complements a colourful bohemian dress perfectly,
• A wool jacket goes really well with floral prints.

Don’t hesitate to combine your bohemian outfits with all kinds of jackets, including kimonos. Layering is a key part of this trend and will keep you warm while flattering your silhouette.

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

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

If you're tall or if you often wear heels or ankle boots (even if you're petite), a long cardigan will be a great addition to your wardrobe. You can wear it with jeans or even with dress pants: whichever style you choose, it will definitely elevate your outfit!

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

Whether paired with a light dress or worn over a tank top, this type of vest keeps you warm in a cool breeze or cloudy weather. It also helps create contrast and adds a pop 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 done up, as it helps to shape your silhouette and define your waist. If you're concerned about looking too prim, you can try pairing it with unique accessories (a hat, a bag…).

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

In recent years, crop tops have become incredibly popular! These lightweight tops that show off your midriff are both stylish and trendy. There are also knitted cardigans designed in this style: the aim here isn't just to keep warm but to add a touch of lightness to your outfit. When paired with a skirt or pants, the texture of the cardigan will create a contrast and bring sophistication to your look!

👉 Contrary to what you might think, crop tops are not just for tall, slender figures. Curvy women can definitely wear them too. If that's you, I recommend pairing it with high-waisted pants or a skirt that will enhance your beautiful curves.

I hope this article has given you plenty of ideas on how to pair your wardrobe with a cardigan and see this piece of clothing as a true way to refine your style.

As I mentioned in this article, this type of vest pairs really well 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 store for your next shopping session! 😉

Tunic and Blouse