How to wear button up cardigans? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to wear button up cardigans?

Roxanna

Veteran

Hi all.
so in recent trips to the thrift store, I have found some beautiful hand-knit wool cardigans that are of beautiful quality and great colours for me. They are tailored with shaped sleeves and the proportions feel right.

The trouble is - I don't know how to incorporate them in my 'Urban Luxe' style.

On their own, they read more granny than urban, so I need to modernize them somehow to make them ore urban.
Here is what I have thought of so far:
- camisole underneath, leaving the cardigan half open
- graphic tee underneath
- stripes (but I'm not into stripes at the moment.)

Any other suggestions? One of them is itchy wool, so I'd prefer to wear a long sleeve top inside, but don't know how to do this and still look modern. Maybe pairing with a trendy bottom?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Liesbeth

RobinF

Veteran

I struggle with certain styles of cardigan too. Definitely a trendy bottom would help, and/or on trend shoes. What about wearing as a top with it buttoned all the way up? I think that is trending right now.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

My first thought was trendy pants and booties. Also, asymmetrical midi skirt and current footwear, whether booties or something else. I’d probably wear a modern cuff also.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have a few of these cardigans and wear them how you have suggested. They are trendy right now but that doesn't matter much to me. I wear mine trendy or not.

VELVET Kathy Cashmere Cardigan

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Vince Shrunken Button Cashmere Cardigan

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

Yay,cardigans,being British my specialist subject! I would wear them with a trendy bottom ,buttoned up with a buttoned up shirt collar showing over the neckline of the cardigan or with a long sleeved tee underneath and a scarf at the neckline.Either way a very useful garment in changeable weather.

Helena

Veteran

I think I'd need to see them Roxanna, but I feel like a cardi-as-sweater feels fresh this season (this could just be me though) - I've seen lots of styling with a higher-waist pant and the cardi standing alone (as in Stylefan's picture above). Maybe an outfit lab?

kkards

Veteran

can you post a picture of something that's similar? my 1st thought was to wear them buttoned up so that it reads like a pull over, but its hard to give great advice without seeing the cardigan

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Are they thick or thin? I think your camisole idea would work nicely with a thin knit cardi. With a chunkier one, I like the graphic tee idea. I think you can wear a silky blouse under them, too. I would wear them with trousers and oxfords, to add a touch of feminine to the menswear vibe. Actually, I can't imagine you wearing a cardigan and looking too old-fashioned. Your trousers and shoes are so beautiful, elegant, and chic, and your hair is current--everything about you is stylish! I think you can't go wrong.

rachylou

Veteran

I say a silky blouse! And boots.

Anonymous

Absolutely a silk camisole , or nice poly *satin* version. Graphic t would be great for casual, but not really for work, right? Confess to having bought a muted green merino wool longish cardigan to wear with a new also-muted green silk/lace cami. I've totally gone off the deep end this fall. A faux fur (not shaggy, but more like a faux sheared look) neck wrap thingy in luxe fall colours (yes, I just happened to see one today which is why it's on my mind) would look great with it too.

AnneR

If they are relatively thin and not cropped, you could try unbuttoning a few buttons at the top as well as a few buttons at the bottom. I saw a woman wearing a black cardigan with blue jeans and booties with her cardigan worn as I mentioned and I was struck by how great the cardigan looked. It was such a simple modification from what I usually try (half unbuttoned) and it really gave the cardigan a bit of an edge.

The Cat

Veteran

I wear V-neck cardigans only, so part of my top will always be visible, and I prefer that layered look. I wear cardigans over anything (dresses, blouses, button-front shirts, crewneck or turtleneck pullovers, roundneck tees and sleeveless tops). I never wear them completely buttoned. Just a couple of the buttons near my bust or right below it, because I think that looks nice with my body shape. Or just wear it open.

The Cat

Veteran

I wear V-neck cardigans only, so part of my top will always be visible, and I prefer that layered look. I wear cardigans over anything (dresses, blouses, button-front shirts, crewneck or turtleneck pullovers, roundneck tees and sleeveless tops/camisoles with horizontal necklines). I never wear them completely buttoned. Just a couple of the buttons near my bust or right below it, because I think that looks nice with my body shape. Or just wear it open.

Marilyn

Veteran

My wardrobe has been mostly purged of cardigans but I'm liking cropped v-neck cardigans worn buttoned up like a pullover. The button front provides visual interest and a nice vertical line. I like wearing this navy one with high rise light wash jeans and with my side striped jeans.

Wearing a graphic tee with one would be a great way to make it modern and fun. A trendy jean would be great as well.

Wilfred mael cardigan Cropped, merino-wool cardigan

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Cee

Veteran

I had one ages ago ( I think the Berlin Wall was still up ! ). It was a fairly loose fitting light grey V-neck I'd wear over crew neck tees and turtleneck skivvies.

cindysmith

Veteran

I just snagged a vintage Celine cable knit wool cardigan (similar to the ones in the pic) at the same thrift store that had that hidden gem of a Celine Edge bag. I'm loving the lady that's donating all this prime stuff to our middle-of-nowhere Goodwill. I have no idea how I'm going to style mine, either, because my only other cardigan is a very thin linen knit front/silk woven back longline AG cardigan in a dusty pink color that I don't wear as often as I wish I did. I wear the pink one with harness boots and skinny jeans, very casual.

I'm not usually a cardigan person, but the vibrant purple of this recent acquisition was what caught my eye. Purple is my happy color and I would have bought it even if it had been an everyday brand; I don't much like the buttons but since it's Celine (likely authentic), I probably won't change them out. It has pockets, and pockets are another happy place for me LOL. I will probably wear it with edgy black boots and distressed skinnies, with my black Marcella Moda top (second pic, except in black) or some other minimalist top that can lend some moderation to the 2 extremes

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I really like the buttoned up cardigan as top look that is very current right now. I have been keeping my eye out for cropped cardigans like Style Fan posted and have and will wear longer ones that way also. I want pictures!

Now sorry for the derail but cindysmith! I also happend to have a few vintage (meaning pre-Phoebe Philo) pieces that I have carefully collected over the years when Celine without the accent was considered passe (without the accent). That stuff is very popular right now. I want pictures!

Gigi

Veteran

I have sometimes worn cardigans on their own, buttoned all the way up, as a sweater. For me, it is hard to suggest pairings without seeing the item in question. Do you think you could either take a pic of the cardis or else find something similar online that you could show us?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well Roxanna I am hesitant to make any suggestion because I feel your style is much more luxe than mine, but I did quite enjoy these 2 outfits trying to wear my circa 2000 Monsoon brand cardigan this past winter.

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Roxanna

Veteran

Thank you all for these great suggestions! Love the way you all wear and rock cardigans they have always been a favorite of mine though I've favored Blazers the past few years - you have inspired me to try more!

One of the ones I bought is a sea foam green chunky knit similar to the pic below (I bought it because I love color, like cindysmith!) I might try it tomorrow with white jeans to freshen it up, and cinnamon scarf/booties/belt to bring in the earth tones. I'll wear it buttoned up. Not exactly luxe but perfect for my weekend style.

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rachylou

Veteran

My fanciest cousin wears silk scarves and pearls with her sweaters. Ascot or bib style on the scarf.

Irina

Veteran

I wear v-neck boyfriend cardigans over v-neck tops or a white shirt. I believe that a good white shirt can make any cardigan dressy Mostly, I like it open but if the fit is slouchy with a low V, I button it half way. I have only one crew neck cardigan and I wear it buttoned up as a sweater.

Staysfit

Veteran

Wear with a silk camisole, buttoned part way up and an awesome statement necklace. Then pair with your wonderful new trousers and some awesome shoes.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Do show some outfits later on and when you have the time! I wear cardigans because they're just sooo practical for my life (and fussy internal thermostat), but I continuously struggle with them as well. I do think they can look 'just luxe enough' when paired with a silky blouse and trousers, as suggested before.