Cardigan outfits - How to wear a cardigan with style - 40+style (2024)

FAQs

Do cardigans make you look older? ›

Wearing a sweater set can significantly age a woman over 20, according to Harper's Bazaar. They might seem sensible, but in reality, the combo of a cardigan over a matching shell just screams little old lady, even when you don't mean for it to.

The easiest way to wear the cardigan is over straight-leg jeans and a T-shirt – oversized styles are key to prevent your look from being twee. Or tuck it into high-waisted trousers for a slimmer silhouette. Alternatively, invest in a fine knit version and belt it over a midi skirt – a great winter workwear option.

A neutral color adds versatility to any clothing item, especially for sweaters. A black, beige, gray, dark blue, or deep brown sweater is easy to dress up or wear casually, making it a great addition to any capsule closet.

While the itty-bitty, thin cardigan is still floating along, many people are still opting for warmer, more sustainable options in updated, 2022-friendly designs. From whimsical hues, jeweled buttons, and quirky motifs to zip-up details, front-close knits are here to spice up your cold-weather ensembles.

If you want to experiment with looking younger, start out with reds, pinks, and purples. They all have a youthful vibrancy to them that is widely recognized." Don't just take his word for it, though. Up ahead, see how the chicest over-40 celebrities are putting these youthful colors to the test.

Colours to avoid for aging include blacks and greys which can throw shadows on the face and make you look older. 'If you simply love black, then consider pairing with a scarf, statement necklace or a faux collar for a pop of colour,' she says. There is a shade of red that works for almost every skin tone.

Too many soft, delicate colors. Our skin tone fades as we get older, so wearing softer shades can be more flattering. But be aware that wearing too many pastels will make you look older. If you want to wear light colors from head to toe, opt for pale neutrals like nude, ivory, light gray, or beige.

How do you not look fat in a cardigan? ›

Wear form-fitting clothes underneath or a dress that's belted. Especially when the cardigan is slouchy, make sure the silhouette underneath is form-fitting; otherwise you will look larger than you are. A body-con dress like this one works well under a long cardigan.

All you need to do is tuck your sweater in a little at the front and then leave the sides and back out. The excess sweater on the sides will give your total look a more slimming appearance. Alternatively you could also just do the half tuck trick on one side.

Good news: whereas chunky sweaters/jumpers look bulky on women who are chubby or muscular on the upper body, cardigans suit all bodytypes no matter what their thickness is. Even best: they are very flattering. This is because they create vertical slimming lines on the upper body.

Perfect for warmer months, cardigans with short sleeves or three-quarter length sleeves look polished and pretty on many dresses. They pair well with sheaths, shift dresses, fit-and-flare dresses, and some styles of wrapper or surplice dresses.

They look great with trousers, chinos or jeans. You can also wear any type of shoes, from sneakers to boots or even loafers. They're all going to look great with an OCBD and cardigan sweater.

What is the best neutral color for shoes? Neutral-hued shoes are fantastic because they go with anything, including all colors, patterns, and prints. In this case, it's best to stick to basics like black, white, cream, beige, brown, and gray, or switch things up and choose navy, which, yes, is considered neutral, too.

Just pair one of your favorite dresses with a warm cardigan in a heavier fabric, thicker than a cardigan you'd wear in spring or summer. Think chunky cable knits and super-soft cashmere, for example. A sheath dress is a perfect example of the type of dress that looks amazing with the help of a warm cardigan sweater.

Do you wear a cardigan with a dress? ›

Just pair one of your favorite dresses with a warm cardigan in a heavier fabric, thicker than a cardigan you'd wear in spring or summer. Think chunky cable knits and super-soft cashmere, for example. A sheath dress is a perfect example of the type of dress that looks amazing with the help of a warm cardigan sweater.

First, you don't want a cardigan to be too big, loose, and baggy. When buttoned up, it should sit close enough to the body that the v-neck doesn't gape open when you lean over.

Usually, cardigans look more flattering when the top underneath has less coverage, like petite tank tops. They can also look attractive when worn with T-shirts, silk blouses, turtlenecks, scarves, and more.

2022 Fashion Trend: Voluminous Silhouettes

From oversize shirting to ballooned silhouettes and a continuation of the puff sleeve trend, dresses and tops will retain their volume through the end of the year. If anything, the latter will spice up all the soft pants you'll probably still be rocking on the bottom.

Insider asked two style experts to share which fashion trends should be left in 2022. Denim-on-denim looks and camo-print clothes are both fading, as are larger sunglasses. They also said high-waisted pants were being replaced by mid- and low-rise varieties.

Loose waves are more younger-looking, while straight hair can be aging. Play around with face-framing layers to give your hair some softness and movement. Layers can also make your hair appear to be more luscious and healthy. Parra recommends asking your stylist for perimeter layers that are cut in a straight line.

Sun protection.

Protecting your face from the sun is the single best way of keeping it youthful. Much of the damage comes from the UVA part of the light spectrum, so you need to put on sunscreen that protects against it and UVB light, which causes sunburn. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is also a good idea.

The decision about locks for a youthful appearance is more about style than length. As a result, whether or not you choose long or short hair, your hairstyle determines if you look older or younger with your hair. Essentially, there are shorter hairstyles that give you a more youthful appearance.

Enlarged pores, dark spots, and sun damage can easily make your skin look like its years older than it really is. If you've put it through a lot in the past, you may want to consider options like microdermabrasion to buff away uneven, dull skin.

Aging eyes lose the ability to discriminate pale colors, making yellows and other pastels appear white. They are also unable to differentiate shades of blue, green, and purple as these cooler colors can read gray.

Does black hair make you look younger? ›

Harsher black tones can bring out a lot of contrast and wash you out. Soft black can help skin look smoother and therefore more youthful.

In men looking older than you should is related to a high serum cholesterol and haemoglobin. In women looking older may be related to a high ESR and a low serum bilirubin. Predictably looking older was related to baldness, greying of the hair, arcus senilis, and skin inelasticity.

Work a Monochrome Look

All black is always chic, but other dark colors are equally slimming. Give deep greens, reds, and blues a try: The monochrome look will create a long vertical line, making your body seem tall and lean.

Darker colours will make you look instantly slimmer, whilst lighter or shiny colours/fabrics will highlight problem areas. So, if you have a wider waist, wear a brown or black belt. If you want to play down a large chest, avoid wearing a silver blouse.

Go big on top, narrow on bottom

Pair any full-cut top, blouse, jacket or tunic with a slim base of trim pants, leggings or straight or skinny jeans (here's where the latter come in handy even if you no longer love them). Think of the latter group as a pedestal for the main event on top, and use this combo day or night.

Business Casual

Slip one under a blazer as a business-casual alternative to a waistcoat when the AC's on full blast, or leave the jacket at home and wear one over a button-down tucked into chinos. Even if you keep the tie, the cardigan is license to dress down your footwear.

If the sweater fits too tightly around your arms, or pinches at the shoulders, it's too small – even if it's comfortable around the bust. If the sweater sags, looks sloppy, is too loose around the arms, or doesn't stay on your shoulders, it's too big – even if it's comfortable around the bust.

For petite women, a long open cardigan sweater can create the appearance of a longer, taller frame. Pair a long open cardigan with a fitted tee or tank and denim jeans, leggings, or some other form-fitting pants.

Be careful when picking out a cardigan if you're petite – a long number that goes down past your hips can make you look even smaller, as can anything with a baggy fit. Go for something with a slim-cut that's on the shorter side. Even a cropped cardigan might look good, so don't hesitate to try one on.

So if your goal is to appear bigger, pick patterns that stretch across your frame, rather than up and down, says Boye. Find shirts with a darker color on top and a lighter shade on the bottom. The dark hue stretching across your chest and shoulders will create the illusion of more muscle, he says.

Where should a cardigan hit? ›

Keeping it simple, cardigans are similar to jackets or blazers in regard to fit. They should have enough room through the shoulders and taper down the chest and the narrowest part under the ribcage.

Wear form-fitting clothes underneath or a dress that's belted. Especially when the cardigan is slouchy, make sure the silhouette underneath is form-fitting; otherwise you will look larger than you are. A body-con dress like this one works well under a long cardigan.

Whatever the cause, cardigans are making a storming comeback this season. While this wardrobe staple has never really left the catwalk – just look at Molly Goddard or Khaite – even brands that typically couldn't be further from #cottagecore were embracing the cardi in their spring/summer 2023 collections.

Skin brightening treatments, like Microdermabrasion, Light Peels, Micro Laser Peels, or the Clear & Brilliant Laser treatment all help patients to look 10 years younger or more, with just a few treatments. These treatments can be used in order to combat the signs of aging in the face, such as: Wrinkles. Age spots.

The Pantone Color Institute named Viva Magenta as its official color of the year for 2023 for its joyous yet powerful nature.

The cardigan is often used as shorthand for looking frumpy. Sandy in Grease wore a cardigan before she changed into leather pants to win over Danny, while the twinset is used to show that Bree in Desperate Housewives is uptight. But cardigan outfits can actually be very on-trend.

Always wear quite loose-fitted clothes that really suit you. Also, layering style is the best fashion for a 40-year-old woman. For example, opt for a jacket-style salwar suit or double-layered salwar kameez. Also, a well-fitted jacket over a saree gives the most elegant look.