YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do you wear cardigans?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do you wear cardigans? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:29:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php BrieN on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans/page/2#post-2341979 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:46:05 +0000 BrieN 2341979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My *very* thin cotton cardigans are workhorses in my warm weather travel capsule. They are so light and easy to pack, easy to drape over my crossbody bag if I've gotten too hot mid-day in my tour of the town and then they are insulating when the evening starts to cool down and we are still out and about -  having dinner outside or drinks on a rooftop terrace.  I hear you about the sleeves - It's definitely a consideration when packing and planning outfits. Jen on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans/page/2#post-2341976 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:45:20 +0000 Jen 2341976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but my favorite way to wear cardigans is with a dress—usually a sleeveless dress; the cardigan makes it appropriate for fall or winter, with tights. I also wear them a lot over silky buttondown shirts—often a print shirt with a solid cardigan—which is a classic French look, seen frequently on the excellent French TV series Le Bureau! With silky (silk, viscose, or polyester) buttondowns, there’s no issue getting the cardigan over even with long sleeves. I prefer v-neck cardigans for both of these. Janet on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans/page/2#post-2341972 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:10:06 +0000 Janet 2341972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Short answer: I don’t. LOL I’ve tried but they’re not my thing. I find them fussy or too classic for my style. I much prefer a denim or twill jacket, a bomber, moto, knit jacket, etc. I like the structure. Long cardigans are awful on me — they cling to my hips and/or feel like a bathrobe. I feel very unfab in them so have left them firmly in the category of items I can ignore while shopping. The exception? I could see wearing a slightly cropped crew-neck cardigan that fits in a way to envision wearing it backwards with the buttons in back. I have a very old one my mom bought me probably 20 years ago that I occasionally wear this way. My favorite substitute for a cardigan for a warmth purpose is a cashmere or merino hoodie that zips up. I find them cozy and a good casual layer under a jacket with the hood hanging out. Carol on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans/page/2#post-2341939 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 23:00:26 +0000 Carol 2341939@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wear them a lot, mostly around the house. They do work well with tanks and tees. But also with long sleeved tees and even dress shirts, if you have a roomy enough cardigan. Style Fan on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans/page/2#post-2341936 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 21:29:05 +0000 Style Fan 2341936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I run cold and need to wear layers in cooler weather.  I like cotton cardigans in the summer because they are perfect for air-conditioned movie theatres and similar environments. Like LaPed, I prefer shorter cardigans.  Longer ones look like bathrobes on me.  I usually wear a long-sleeved tee as a first layer. Angie on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans/page/2#post-2341927 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 16:14:40 +0000 Angie 2341927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have three cardigans. One forms part of a twinset, which I only wear as a twinset! The other two I wear buttoned up or zipped up like a top. Maybe that’s cheating Suz on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341926 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:57:52 +0000 Suz 2341926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As you've already learned, this may be climate related!  I'm a jacket lover, primarily, and will choose a denim jacket or a blazer over a cardigan in most situations where I need or want a topper other than a coat, but I do have and like cardigans also.  I tend to wear my shorter ones buttoned up like pullovers. And my longer ones as an extra layer in cooler weather or transitional times (morning/ evening) that can be stuffed in a bag more easily than a blazer can. (Sometimes I'll use the shorter ones in a similar way).  Temperatures tend to fluctuate a lot where I live. And then there is AC to contend with in summer.  I don't think I run hot or cold -- somewhere in between. But I do go from inside to outside a lot, and also work from home where I can be sitting for long periods in a house that we keep quite cool. So an extra layer is nice.  In winter I do wear cardigans over long sleeved tops -- either knits, blouses, or shirts. But again, it depends on the temperature.  cat2 on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341925 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:27:42 +0000 cat2 2341925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I layer mine over short sleeve or sleeveless tops or dresses. Tanks in the summer and sleeveless turtles in the winter. In other words, people like me are why sleeveless turtles exist. RobinF on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341923 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 14:25:18 +0000 RobinF 2341923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a huge cardigan wearer. I wear one every day for work - they are my third piece in place of a jacket and for the AC in the summer. I also wear them casually. Like Lyn said, they make it easier to moderate temperature than a pullover sweater. I have always been a little cold but since menopause I run a bit warmer so I tend to go for thinner cardis now. I don't usually wear them with a long sleeve top underneath - too much fabric on my arms, so usually short sleeve or sleeveless tops. Cee on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341893 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:31:57 +0000 Cee 2341893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How do I wear cardigans ? I put my left arm in first and then my right arm and never, ever put my head through the sleeve. ...I'm not making that mistake again ! lyn67 on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341889 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 09:18:22 +0000 lyn67 2341889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the aesthetics of a good  layering so I wear them exactly for that, when a blazer or other (denim/chore etc) jackets feel too stiff and/or too formal. BUT  hah, I wear a cardigan exactly because I run warm:-)))). To me  the potential to be paired with a bigger round or  V-neck or even sleeveless it feels much more airy  than a sweater itself -and it always can be removed!:-) Helena on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341847 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:25:29 +0000 Helena 2341847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've pretty much given up on cardigans, except non-fashiony ones that are comfy and warm for lounging in the winter at home. I'm not a layer-er as it turns out! Not helpful except to say, if they don't work for you irl, that's allowed Cardiff girl on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341829 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:53:34 +0000 Cardiff girl 2341829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There’s a reason cardigans were apparently invented in the uk,they are very useful for fluctuating temperatures.l can totally understand why,if you get consistently warm summers that you wouldn’t feel the need but l am rarely found from October to May more than 3 feet from a cardigan . Oh and apparently they are deeply fashionable this year too,so yay! Bonnie on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341824 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:45:56 +0000 Bonnie 2341824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I currently have 9 cardigans. The blue, red, and mustard are worn over dresses. The two black and white ones are worn over knit tops and are dressy enough to wear out and about. The purple, orange, and brownish ones are usually worn at home over tees or sweaters. It's mostly in the 60F's where I live so my sweaters get lots of wear year round.  Anonymous on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341820 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:03:03 +0000 Anonymous 2341820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I run cold when the sun goes down or on a rainy day and add wooly white cardigan to my outfit. The only purple I own is a wooly EF purple cardigan. It gets a lot of wear at home. Anonymous on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341810 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:24:37 +0000 Anonymous 2341810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cardigans are strictly functional for me! I keep a black one in the car for transitional weather, and use them when I work in a cold office in winter. They're easier to layer under coats than jackets are. I used to use thin ones in summer ac, but now I work outside March-October, so those go unworn. Ginger on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341804 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:56:40 +0000 Ginger 2341804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I usually wear a cardigan year-round, but in different formulas. I run cold. (1) In hot weather, I use cotton or cotton blend cardigans when I am going to be someplace with enthusiastic AC, such as church, restaurants, or theaters. Since it's in the upper 90s or 100s outside (and a car in the sun will be much, much hotter), cardigans are essential for layering. Since I'm usually wearing a dress it's simple to grab a cardigan that coordinates. (2) In cold weather, I wear mostly wool or wool blend cardigans as a sweater over another piece, like kkards mentioned. Although I don't button the sweaters above about bust point. Layering pieces are mostly thin or medium-weight long sleeve knit tees of various coordinating colors. I look for interesting colors and necklines as well as neutrals since they do show under the cardigans. (3) Intermediate weather, where there's a 30-degree swing from early morning to afternoon, is the hardest to dress for. I'm trying to come up with tops that are more interesting than my basic layering pieces and will look good when I have to shed the cardigan later in the day. LaPed on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341802 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:21:19 +0000 LaPed 2341802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't do longer cardigans, only shorter ones. The long ones feel too lounge-y for me, wrong vibe. I like chunky cotton ones May - Sept, when it's warmer. Honestly one of my favorite warm weather topper options -- more "me" than a denim jacket or similar. Easy to throw over a dress/skirt, or jeans + tee, etc.  In winter, I like more fitted ones in wool, thin enough to layer but not too thin. The brown Everlane cardigan below is a serious workhorse for me. I reach for it all winter long and it seems to work with pretty much every silhouette I wear on the bottom, from full skirts to straight-leg jeans. I have a sweater vest (similar silhouette, just sans sleeves) that is also a heavy hitter. I usually put a fitted rib-knit top underneath; I don't love the bulk of button-front shirts under knitwear.  Val MN on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341801 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:20:37 +0000 Val MN 2341801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In winter I wear cardigans over longsleeve mock necks or button-up shirts. I prefer them to pullover sweaters because I tend to take them off and on throughout the day. Removing a pullover during a work meeting gets awkward! Maybe I run both hot and cold? It can be hard to get the sleeve layering right — some cardigans seem to be designed to be worn over sleeveless items only, which I personally never do in cold weather. It can be hard to get the overall volume right, too. With roomier tops, it can be best to wear an open front cardigan or one with just a single button. It’s a matter of trial and error and matching the right cardigan to the right tops. Probably us regular cardigan-wearers always have it in mind when shopping for either cardigans or tops. Bijou on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341799 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 12:42:14 +0000 Bijou 2341799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have the following cardigans and for my style the black cardigan is the most worn. It is a bit dressier than the others and has been a real workhorse in my wardrobe. I wear this with dresses and skirts and often belted. I use the pink long cardigan as a light dressing gown (so that gets worn often). I really like the Radley cardigan with the dog - and hope to wear it a bit more when walking my dog in the mornings! Sisi on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341783 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:06:01 +0000 Sisi 2341783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As you have already understood cardigans are worn by people who run cold and live in fluctuating temperatures. I wear mine in transitional seasons, when  it is chilly in the morning and warm during the day. I wear them with short sleeved tops. I keep the cardi when it's chilly and take it off when it turns warm.   Olive Green on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341782 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:04:55 +0000 Olive Green 2341782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I missed the cardigan boat entirely, for the last fifty years or so, lol,….until an estate sale a month ago, when I found a largish silk art piece of a cardigan made in England, with a wildly floral design. So unlike me, yet too beautiful to leave. The texture is amazing. Haven’t worn it yet. Will be working it in, trying to decide to just wear it as normal clothes to the store, or wait for an Occasion. Thoughts?  It’s rare to find something with some weight and quality to it these days. If it works well I will be looking for another, probably something LLBean for the doggie lifestyle, as Angie aptly puts it.  Jenni NZ on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341779 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:50:18 +0000 Jenni NZ 2341779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Peri I don’t wear them much in winter because I am wearing what you call “pullover sweaters” then (which I would call a jumper or possibly a jersey). I have very occasionally worn a thin merino pullover with a toning cardigan over, but tend to do that more in Spring or Autumn. With the pullovers I wear a mock neck underneath to protect my neck from the itchy wool, and then if it’s cold enough I wear a coat or puffer over that. Sal on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341778 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:50:17 +0000 Sal 2341778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to wear them a lot but not so much now - mostly because I find them hard to style - but from a warmth perspective I like them.  I tend to like the longer ones. I only own one and it is very much a wear at home cardigan now, almost loungewear.  Our climate is very changeable.  Cardigans are useful for the start and end of the day - for example for outdoor dining. In the early 2000s I had three longer winter cardigan jackets that I adored and wore all winter with jeans.  I do miss them - it was a good style for me. Anonymous on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341769 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:52:40 +0000 Anonymous 2341769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've decided that crew neck cardigans do not work for me, so buy only V necks. The ones I wear most are linen knits.....the right amount of warmth for summer.  In winter I like long duster type wool knits.  Maybe you need to think of what you wear or will wear. Peri on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341736 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 23:25:56 +0000 Peri 2341736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Getting some good ideas! And some validation of the reason I struggle with this...seems like the cardi fans are running cold overall. Honestly in the summer it never occurs to me to wonder if I'm going to be cold! Most of the time I'm too busy wondering if I'm going to be too hot. And in the winter I'm wearing pullover sweaters that would definitely be too hot with a cardi over them.  I will experiment with leaving some of my summer tops out and seeing if I like the cardigans I have with them once it really cools. For me that will probably be mid-November's experiment and might be a nice change from pullover sweaters.  Kate on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341729 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 23:02:18 +0000 Kate 2341729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have three. Two are fairly heavy cropped cotton cardigans that I can pop on as outerwear in the fall, and use inside the house (I run cold) before we turn the heat on. The other is a longer summer weight cardigan that I use when I travel and can't be sure of how intense the AC will be, or whenever we go somewhere that I know will have arctic air conditioning. Julie on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341722 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 21:31:33 +0000 Julie 2341722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree they can be tricky! Especially the sleeve-layering thing. I mostly wear them over plain, fitted cotton tank tops, except for one long wool hooded cardigan that I might wear over a button down shirt. I prefer casual jackets in the summer because cardigans are too warm. And in the winter I prefer pullover sweaters because cardigans are not warm enough when worn with a tank top. I do run cold, but am not very creative with layering. Echo on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341720 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 20:49:56 +0000 Echo 2341720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I prefer having a third (second with dresses) piece, so I often wear sleeveless tops in the winter with a blazer or cardigan over. I enjoy wearing mostly black with a pop of color, and a cardigan or jacket can do that easily. Additionally, a cardigan often fits under a coat better, making my outerwear selection greater with a cardigan than a blazer in the winter. Jenni NZ on "How do you wear cardigans?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-wear-cardigans#post-2341717 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 20:26:27 +0000 Jenni NZ 2341717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I own 3 autumn/spring cardigans and 5 summer ones. I do tend to run cold and find I really need something in summer for several reasons: sometimes in the daytime in windy weather ( also can provide some sun protection over sleeveless tops or dresses), frequently for aircon eg in restaurants in the evening and just outside of an evening if going to an open air event when there will be a slight chill in the air. I find them softer and more comfortable than jackets. I’m wearing a spring weight cardigan right now with summer weight pants and a T-shirt as it is a bit cloudy outside and not warm but not cold either. This is mid-spring ATM for us.