Up until about two years ago, I didn’t own a single cardigan. Actually, that not entirely true. I had one. My mother bought it for me and tried to convince me that cardigans should be my best friends and I will likely wear this wardrobe staple more than anything else in my closet. I didn’t. It hung there, unworn, for what seemed like forever. It might have even been safe to say that I was anti-cardigan. The reason for this was about 95% “I don’t know HOW to wear a cardigan!” and 5% “Cardigans are not flattering, right?”
And then…I learned. I learned that my mom was right (SHOCKER!) and that cardigans really are my very best friends in the entire world.
I have…many. I have long ones and short ones and plain ones and embellished ones. I wear them with jeans and skirts and over dresses. Cardigans are NEVER a wrong choice.
(YES. Below you will see six of the exact same cardigan in different colors.)
This is Tip #1: Once you find a perfect cardigan, stock up. It’s never a bad idea to buy more than one.) (In case you were wondering, this is the J.Crew Jackie Cardigan bought for $29.99 at the J.Crew Factory store. It’s a staple there. They always have them.)
But, I know. You are skeptical. You want to know HOW to wear cardigans. Well, I will show you!
Tip #2: Wear a basic cardigan over a a textured cami. I am wearing this camisole from Gap.
Also to note, wear an embellished cardigan with a basic cami underneath.
Tip #3: Wear cardigans over dresses. This is especially helpful in making those summery dresses stretch longer into the fall season.
They also serve a practical purpose…cardigans are a perfect summer accessory to have on you when you go into over-airconditioned places. I highly recommend buying a white or neutral-colored lightweight cardigan for your cardigan wardrobe.
Tip #4: A belt over a long cardigan can be very flattering and can add shape to your silhouette.
Tip #5: A cardigan that falls between your waist and your knees *may* be worn with leggings. Please note that this is a very tricky area. Proceed with caution, please.
So…convinced yet?
Old Navy Giveaway!
Now it’s your turn. At Curvy Girl, we want you to find yourself in the clothes you love, so to help you in the quest to find the perfect outfit, we’re giving away one $25 gift certificate to Old Navy!
This contest runs today only, ending tonight at midnight EST. One (1) winner will be randomly selected, and the prize mailed to them upon confirmation of winning. You can enter by leaving one comment per person.
Ali Martell, is the managing editor of Canada’s Premier Parenting Site, The Yummy Mummy Club. She is also a writer, an ellipticizer, a mother, a wife, a lion-tamer, a diet coke quitter, a juggler, a getter-of-drinks. She is Canada’s Emma Pillsbury and her three children tell her that she is a DOF (destroyer of fun). She is learning to use her camera better and love her thighs more. You can read more from Ali on her blog, Cheaper Than Therapy.
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I love cardigans but mine pill so fast so i’m glad that i get most of mine at Target and Old Navy! I need some more so that gift card would be nice.
the ones I have up there…the Jackie ones from the J.Crew factory store are $29.99, which to me, seems like a GREAT price to pay for a cardigan that NEVER pills!
I was thinking the same thing — I should spend a little more for some quality cardigans. Ali – you are too cute!
I love cardigans!!!!
I never even really thought about getting a cardigan but now I feel like I need some!
I love cardigans..but your collection puts mine to shame!
I am a cardigan fiend. I love them! Especially with dresses. Great suggestions.
I love cardigans!!! Target has some awesome ones.
I am wearing an embellished cardigan over a cami right now!
I love cardigans! Well, I love them when I find ones that fit. I have what my friends and I call my “purse sweater”. It is a cute black cardigan/boyfriend sweater that is so lightweight it fits in my purse! I’ve lent it to friends on many an occasion- even the not so curvy girls have worn it.
I need to give them another try, I haven’t found any lately that I love but you have inspired me!
Cardigans are my absolute favorite! I am always cold whenever everyone else is comfortable, so I always take one with me everywhere. I only have a few in neutral colors though, as I am not as good as you at pairing them up. I definitely could use a few more!
I LOVE cardigans! I always feel intense guilt when I buy another one… especially since I usually only wear one or two on any regular basis… but you never know when you’re going to want a different style, so I keep them on hand =)
I love cardigans because I can wear my summer tanks all year long!
I wear cardigans all year long. LOVE THEM! even my 16 year old is cardi-obsessed!
I discovered cardigans last spring and have about 4 now, I LOVE them, they go with everything!
I’m still in search of that perfect cardigan. I see everyone else with these fantastic cardigans that I fall in love with…then they just don’t quite look the same on me.
Love the cardi with leggings. Because I’m short-waisted, wearing them like that makes me look short and dumpy. But like, Miss Yvonne, I wear them buttoned partway down and then open the remainder of the way.
I do that too….keep some of them open on the bottom…
http://www.urbanmoms.ca/urban_closet/2011/01/from-my-closet-on-january-4-2011.html
I totally dig the belted option (and that color, too!). Super cute.
I might have to check out the J. Crew cardigan. I’ve been looking for a good one for years, but I’ve never found something I love.
It’s a good one. I’d recommend sizing up, though. I always do with it.
Really? Cardigans? I’ve never been convinced. But willing to give it another shot!
I <3 Old Navy Cardigans. I had 2, they are the old man style but one got puked on from my kid so of course I had to trash it. A gift card could be put to good use to replace it!
I looove cardigans. Easy, light, comfy and (if done right) can be super cute! I’ve been obsessed for a while! Love this post
I love cardigans! I’m wearing one today as a matter of fact!
I love cardigans!! They make the outfit look more put together!
I love cardigans and I think my closet is sorely lacking in them.
Definately need some cardigans!!! My wardrobe is looking kinda shabby of late, having some new things to wear that are also FREE make it alllll better!!!!
Woohoo! Old navy!!
I fear cardigans for myself, I guess I just don’t know how to wear them – I love the look over dresses and with the textured cami, though. Nicely done. A free cardigan to try out the look would be awesome!
I love the cardigans from old Navy, so i’d love to win this!
Cardigans Rock !
I just bought a cardigan yesterday. Trying to get out of my jeans and a t-shirt rut and look more like a grown up.
I <3 Cardigans!!!
I would love a new cardigan! My closet is begging you.
Okay, Ali. You just hit on my favorite item of apparel. I ADORE cardigans. I love to layer my clothes – plus I work in an icebox, so it’s form and function! Old Navy is great for cardies, but Target also had a fab selection this year (some of which you may still be able to find on clearance racks or online). In fact, Target had a cardie sale a few months ago. All cardies $10!!!!! I got striped cardies, argyle cardies (LOVE), long cardies, cropped cardies. A cardie for all seasons!
Another thing I would suggest is not to feel restrained by being “matchy.” You can pair a patterned cardie with a cute graphic tee or mix and match your patterns. Have a cute little polka dot cardie? Mix it up with a striped cami. Don’t be afraid to experiment. As long as your colors don’t clash, you’re golden. And don’t forget, accessories can really pull an outfit together.
I have a entire section of my closet devoted to cardigans! Love them! I was just thinking that I really need a new longer one. You have now confirmed this for me and I must search one out!
I love me a cardigan and also tights. I don’t wear pants – skirts and dresses only – so tights and leggings are essential this time of year!
Love your blog and I ♥ cardigans! I’ve recently become obsessed with them too! The long ones are great to hide my pooch stomach when I’m bloated.
I love my cardigans. I’d love to have a longer one that looks good with leggings.
Totally heart the cardigan… An absolutely priceless piece of clothing for someone with big upper arms!
I love that embellished cardigan!!
I never had a cardigan until last fall because they seemed too Mr. Rogers to me, but then I got one and have pretty much been wearing one since.
I just bought some blouses to wear under my multitude of cardigans, just to change it up a bit. I was kind of in the cardigan over a T-shirt rut.
BTW, love the embellished cardigan!
Old Navy started my love of cardigans, I hate the summer when the weather turns to the 100+ and I cant wear them
I love Cardigans!!
I would totally love another one!
I adore ON cardies!
I LOVE cardigans. Especially from old navy!
cardigans are THE best! And so is Old Navy
i LOVE LOVE LOVE old navy cardigans. i would love to add another one to my collection!
I love cardigans! I wear a sweater of some sort nearly every day
I super puffy heart cardigans and I always have! Plus, I really love me some Old Navy and your entire wordrobe.
I like your cardigan style, Thanks for sharing.
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