Cardigans can be dismissed as dowdy and bland, but with the right touches you can transform a drab bit of knitwear into a cornerstone of your wardrobe.
Here are some top tricks for fashion fans who want to wear cardigans without feeling like they are out of place amongst other stylish dressers.
Boost the cardi-look with boots
You can make designer cardigans look even better if you wear them with boots rather than flat shoes. The heel height can be as subtle or extravagant as you feel comfortable with; the main thing is that boots can elevate almost any outfit, both figuratively and literally.
If you want your boot-and-cardigan combo to be as impactful as possible, stick to simple black leggings and a black top as your base layer. This can be a brilliant way to transition from more casual occasions to events where a bit of effort is required in the clothing department to make your presence felt.
Unify your colors
It might seem natural to offset your cardigan with other layers that differ in color, but it can be even more stylish to match these hues instead. In essence, think of a cardigan as equivalent to a jacket or coat, and do not be afraid to pair a blue or black cardi with jeans or trousers of the same tone.
Of course this approach only really makes sense for the more subdued color cardigans, since brighter color pants tend to work better during the warmer months of the year.
Don’t be afraid of dresses
Feel free to match your cardigan with a dress rather than with jeans or trousers, as there are plenty of people who still like to wear a more airy garment during the winter.
In fact a flower print dress can bring a much needed splash of vibrancy to your wardrobe when the weather outside is cold and grey, while a cardigan that compliments its color scheme will ensure that you don’t catch a chill.
Some cardigans can work solo
Depending on the cardigan, you can potentially wear it on its own, tucking it into your trousers like any other top.
This obviously works best with thinner cardigans that have plenty of close-set buttons, as the chunkier knits will confound your efforts.
Go subtle to offset sparkly accessories
You can jazz up your winter cardigan with accessories designed to catch the eye, such as a beaded bag or a sequin-strewn clutch.
The only thing to remember is that the cardigan itself should be a darker color to make sure that it doesn’t take attention away from anything glitzy you choose to wear with it.
Deliberate clashes can deliver retro chic
The fashion world goes through periods of craving uniformity before flipping the script and deciding that discord is the way forwards.
If you find yourself in the latter camp, feel free to wear a cardigan that clashes with the other colors in your outfit. The best way to make this look like a conscious choice, rather than a mistake, is to clash as many items of clothing in an outfit as possible.
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