How to style a humble cardigan

How to style a humble cardigan

In my opinion, the humble cardigan has had a bad press over the years. It has an association with either school uniform or an item of clothing that your granny wore every day in case she got a chill. Times have changed and the cardigan has now become a bona fide wardrobe staple. It is now generally considered to be a classic piece that will last for years. So today’s post is about how to style the humble cardigan.

Having done a quick mid-season edit of my wardrobe I find that I am definitely short of cardigans. I have one very old and much loved pink one originally from MeandEm which is looking decidedly worn. As I have been wearing either a maxi skirt, dress or jeans most days with a simple tee I have found that due to our not very warm summer I have been lacking in a knit that is quick and easy to add when the temperatures drop.

Cardigans can come in many styles from classic to trendy however they never really go out of style. Cardigans are a very adaptable item of clothing. They also offer that comfortable and cosy factor. Wear them on their own, with a simple tee and jeans or over a pretty print blouse for a more dressy look.

Details of above:

Navy 3/4 sleeve top MarksandSpencer | Dark navy parka JohnLewis&Partners | V neck relaxed cardigan Boden | Maxi skirt in sunflower print Madewell | Crossbody bag Boden | White slip-on trainers FitFlop | Pale blue ballet pumps FitFlop | Levi shaping straight cut jeans JohnLewis&Partners.

After much research, I have chosen a selection of versatile cardigans that you can wear now and into the Autumn and Winter seasons.

MeandEm merino wool cardigan

Two-tone navy/cobalt merino wool cardigan MeandEm

V-neck Relaxed Cardigan - Candy Pink

Bright pink V neck relaxed cardigan Boden

Cobalt blue V neck cardigan

Hobbs blue cardigan JohnLewis&Partners

I have this cardigan and I would say that it is a slightly more turquoise blue than it looks in the picture.

Green V neck cardigan

Dolphin button cardigan & Other Stories

An update on my previous post on How to create a light make-up for everyday. More stocks of the Glow and Go sticks will be arriving in three weeks time. They proved very popular and I am not surprised I will announce their arrival on this blog. The PR assured me that if you have left your email address you will be contacted directly.

Thank you for all your kind messages regarding the terrible fires in the Var (South of France) last week. There was not much coverage in the UK press. Luckily our apartment is safe but it was very tense as the fire came very close and took out all the vineyards in the valley below. A couple of images are below.

Fires in the Var
View of the fire from Grimaud village Monday 16th Auguster
Photo of smock in the hills two days later taken from Grimaud village
Side view of our terrace taken by a neighbour at the end of the week

How to style the humble cardigan:

9 Comments

  1. Karen
    24th August 2021 / 16:47

    Why are all the cardis you show v-necked? Most of mine are ‘classic,’ crew-necked, and I love them.

    • 24th August 2021 / 18:42

      Hello Karen
      Good point. My old pink one is a classic style. When I was doing my research I found that most of the brands had more V neck styles except Boden which always do good classics. I think that probably from a styling point of view V necks can be more versatile as you can show more of the top or blouse you are wearing.

  2. 24th August 2021 / 17:01

    My mother and my favourite aunt were great cardigan wearers and seemed to keep them from looking as messy as mine always did . I came to the conclusion that I just can’t manage to wear them with any elegance . Possibly it is because I have wide , rather square shoulders ? So instead I have jackets in different fabrics , weights and colours – 17+ immediately to hand……

  3. Jane Belfield
    24th August 2021 / 19:07

    cardigans are just the thing for ladies of a certain age that never know how warm or chilly they’ll feel as the day progresses.

  4. Angela
    24th August 2021 / 20:27

    Couldn’t imagine not having a selection of cardigans in my wardrobe. They are invaluable for our temperate winters in NZ. Love longer ones in winter and shorter in spring. My one criticism is the buttons are generally unimaginative and that is something I try to change on cardigans and shirts. I save all buttons to mix and match so if I can add an interesting detail it gives a plain item a lift.

    • 25th August 2021 / 11:08

      Hello Angela
      What a great idea. Very imaginative.

  5. 24th August 2021 / 21:56

    I love cardigans, especially cashmere ones. V necks are my favourites as I think they are more flattering. I have so many in different colours and lengths. Frankly I consider a cardigan a classic garment, practically part of a uniform for any UK woman.

    • Julia
      25th August 2021 / 10:40

      You are quite right! V-necks are MUCH more flattering for sweaters, cardigans or t-shirts.

  6. 27th August 2021 / 07:06

    Love a cardigan and there does seem to be a great selection at the moment as the fashion gods have declared them on trend. So I’ve been stocking up in the summer sales. I really like very long dramatic ones in the winter but have to watch that I don’t trip over them!

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