Ask Angie: long cardigans over skirts and dresses

I love the look and plan on sporting it a lot this Winter. I'm wondering though: are there any guidelines regarding the most flattering length?

I'm guessing it's a different length for (pencil) skirts and dresses? Does the cut of the cardigan play a role as well, i.e. different "rules" for boyfriend cardigans, cascading cardigans and cardigans with a rounded hem?

- I tried on one of my new cascading cardigans (length is the same in the front and the back) over a pencil skirt. It hit me just below my bottom and that seemed about the right length for this look.
Then I tried it over a sheath dress (hits me above knee) and that did not look right at all (the cardi ends about 5 inches above the back vent - it looked even stranger when I added leggings to the mix).

- Would you say that cardigans with a rounded hem look best with pants? Or could a skirt/dress work too, depending on the length of the cardi (mine seemed a bit long for this).
Example of cardi with rounded hem in case you don't know what I'm talking about:
http://www.shopbop.com/oversiz.....tid=affprg

- I feel like I will need an even longer cardigan to wear with knee-length dresses?

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

This would be a great topic for a blog post. I'm curious about the same thing.

Inge, what would you think of posting photos of some of your ensembles?

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I certainly will Medusa. I only got them yesterday (see my other post about cascading cardigans at H&M) and haven't had a chance yet to take pictures. Stay tuned;-)

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Good question, Inge. I have the green curved hem cardi you see in the picture. Remember this blog post?

http://youlookfab.com/2008/12/.....-cardigan/

I wear the same cascading cardigan over dresses and skirts – and pants! There are many variables at play with respect to the style of the cardigan AND it’s colour AND what you wear it with. I wish I could offer guidelines for you, but it’s more of a trial and error thing.

But longer will be more versatile for your height, Inge. But on someone petite, shorter is better. Does that make sense?

Thanks for reposting that link for me Angie. Very informative rereading it.

As always, you are making perfect sense;-)
You're right of course, there are so many variables here that the only way to get it right, is to keep experimenting, which I will.
And I will post pictures of the specific cardigans/outfits soon.

hanna

Active Member

please do post pics, inge, because i'm super curious! i only have one cascading cardi myself. for some reason i can't reconcile it with my usual style. you can be my inspiration!

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