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The power of a long cardigan wiw 4.25.20

Anonymous

.....and now what do I do with these 2 short ones??

My intention was to wear short rusty orange cardigan over the t-shirt and combat pants today for a run to the pharmacy and to pick up a grocery order. I bought it (cardigan) earlier this year in a weak moment - loving the cool hand-feel , the colour and somehow, how it looked that day. Now I can't figure out what to do with it. Today it just didn't look flattering, and I tried another top under it , different jewellery, but nothing seemed right. It's hip length and loose fitting . Sounds easy to wear, right ? But the minute I put on this olive green bamboo cardigan, it was like night and day . Angie has long touted the flattery quotient of a long open front cardigan and the lean line it creates. It really is true. I felt 10 lbs thinner and 3 inches taller . The other cardigan below in yellow is a similar problem piece: hip length, kind of boxy, and doesn't seem to work with anything .

Also below - sandals which I should have duplicated when purchased last year. They are SO comfortable and easy to wear and instantly elevate any outfit. LOVE them.

So - any thoughts on shorter (not cropped though) loose-fit cardigans ? What can I wear them with to pretty them up a bit? Or are they just inherently unflattering ?

camo joggers - Design Lab
t-shirt - Anthro
bamboo knit cardigan - LNBF
slides - Sam Edelman
jewellery - mix of Pilgrim and Madewell
lipstick - L'Oreal Toasted Almond - not sure how I feel about this one .
fragrance - Chanel no19 (wearing fragrance everyday is a huge treat - can't do it in many work situations so I love it when I do get to wear it)

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41 replies

Latest reply was from

Tina

Veteran

Number one is perfection, should definitely be on repeat.
I’m with you on fragrance, love wearing it and would be sad about having to really restrict it.
With the last 2 cardigans, for some reason, I picture them with slightly fuller midi skirts. I’m not sure why, maybe i’ve seen it in Pinterest?

Roxanna

Veteran

Hey Lisa,
Here is what I do with my short boxy cardigans- either faux tuck the front, or wear them with tonal colors to make the leg line look longer. I like them with dressier woven tops inside - or a scarf - because with a knit or tshirt, I find they look dumpy on me.

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slim cat

Veteran

It's a tough one for me - I love long cardigans and dusters ( or open long shirts worn as dusters ). You look fab in your camo outfit! Love your nail polish and gold accents.
I would try printed cami or sleeveless top with a more fitted style under unbuttoned boxy cardigan with extra chains layered ( short, mid and long length combined ), pushed sleeves up and wear dressy sandals/shoes. I still have a couple boxy cardigans but wear it under the coats or at home only ( mine are printed and that gives them some interest ).

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I’m following this because I also prefer longer cardigans and have a hard time styling the shorter (non-cropped versions). Really like how you styled yours, Roxana!

I love, love, love your outfit! The tee, the pants, the shoes - very cool and chic.

P.S. off to spray a little Chanel no. 19 on...one of my favorites too.

CarolS

Veteran

Well, my friend, you know I bat for team long cardigan, and I have to say, this one looks great on you!

I do love the colours of both shorter cardigans and I like Roxanna's suggestion to semi-tuck. I also like this image with the boxy cardigan over black ponte pants and black boots (elongating the whole bottom half).
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/479774166545881718/

Helena

Veteran

Long cardi looks amazing! I find that short cardis work better worn as a top rather than a topper?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER casual look! LOVE the joggers and pearl necklace, Lisa P! Great for at home, and most places actually.

A perfect Seattle Summer look too......(It's warm enough to wear slides, outside?)

The long open cardigan DOES create the vertical long lean line that you crave, but the streamlining column of colour is also at play. The short cardigans create a horizontal contrast on top of the shorter line. And that's the opposite visual effect with the components of this outfit.

The shorter cardigans look great with wide crops. Try buttoning them up like a top with jewelry too.

You wear olive with the best of them! To my eye, the fact that you matched it with cream and gold makes it fresh, gorgeous and pretty

MsMaven

Veteran

I like shorter cardigans with longer full skirts or long straight or flowing midi dresses. Body proportions must make a difference as well. Love your first outfit.

Anonymous

Thanks for the thoughts on wearing shorter cardigans - and Roxanna, I'd hoped you would chime in You hit the nail on the head with wearing them over knits = too dumpy looking. Semi tucking is interesting, and I can't say I've ever thought of it. This is giving me hope for getting wear out of these two sweaters. (the yellow is really a fall/winter piece though).

And Angie - yes, it's now warm enough for bare ankles and slides Super easy for running in and out of the house for quick errands too. Glad you like the outfit -I did too !

Roxanna

Veteran

@lisa - honestly I found them really hard to style too, and came to the forum for ideas. I think longer cardigans are more versatile and, as you say, most are very flattering, but I find them thin and drapey, and I almost always need something thicker because I run cold.

I love the way this looks on you, abs the tee adds the perfect amount of edge that is trademark you in an outfit. And I love that lipstick on you!

avicennia

Veteran

The long cardigan looks very good on you Lisa. I agree that short cardigans can be tricky. I wear my short cardigans with wide crops like Angie suggests and often fully tuck them. I’ve also layered a light weight cardigan under a slightly heavier one.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Wearing a long grey cardigan over knit camo joggers (those are my pjs) at this very moment (black tank top under) and always perfume.

I love the colors of the two hip length cardigans. But I don’t love most hip length these days. And I don’t like semi tuck anymore. I like cropped knitwear or something intentionally boxy and that hip length with a lot of drape.

I can’t get behind an entire figure obscuring look even though that seems to be au courant these days. And the old long over lean seems dated. That’s why the long cardi over the narrow but not-too-tight joggers is working so well for you here. It showcases but doesn’t obscure your best features

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

First off I love the olive with your coloring. So your preference might also reflect that. I find cardigans very difficult to wear open. Because - on ME - they all become sloppy fast. I will wear them buttoned up like Roxanna beautifully demonstrates. Not tucked though. I think the long line with the olive and the pants does work really well. And the lipstick looks good to me. And I love your toenail color. That is all for now .

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I like a short swingy cardigan layered under a short jacket, like a denim jacket or leather jacket. It can add a little color or texture, and protect the jacket from sweat.

Bijou

Veteran

Lisa, thanks for posting on this. I have been thinking of buying a cardigan as my long line black cardigan has developed holes and I need an update. I was thinking of a shorter cardigan, but your post has made me realize why these have previously languished in my closet unworn. I just feel frumpy in cardigans unless they have that beautiful lean look you have achieved here. This is a gorgeous outfit on you.

I had a look on Net-a-Porter to see how they were styling cardigans. Some cute looks with tonal bottoms, like check pants, shorts and leather pants. The bottoms were generally fashion forward, the sort of thing Alexa Chung would wear.

nemosmom

Veteran

WOW you look smashing in olive! And I love how you've paired it with camo. I am another vote for trying the shorter cardigans as a top (not a topper) with layered necklaces on top, and see how you feel.

What is that gorgeous toe color you are sporting?? It is so pretty!

Roxanna

Veteran

Also just chiming in to say I can’t wear my short, boxy cardis with cropped flares or wide legs as suggested here. I think it works if you are relatively tall and slender, but with my wide hips, it takes away all my shape and I look like sponge bob square pants - wide and stumpy, not jaunty and effortless . (It’s why I don’t have any wide crops, actually - to my eye, they only work with fitted tops on me, and that’s not versatile enough.)

I do think that short cardis need something modern to keep them looking current, though, so I often wear them buttoned up, faux tucked with straight crops that show some ankle for structure. Also often with a low heeled bootie because sneakers add to the schlumpy feeling I sometimes get from short boxy cardis (like I should be wandering around a nursing home...)

They do take a lot of effort to look reasonable pulled together, flattering and current. But once you’ve nailed down a formula you think works for you, you can repeat it with similar other pieces and it becomes a lot easier (hence my short cardi outfits all using roughly the same formula.)

Column

Veteran

Great look on you, Lisa! I`m agreeing with everyone else on the short cardi: either buttoned and tucked on its own inside leg-lengthening high waists, or on top of a column of color (even tonal column)—including over a dress. Roxanna`s suggestion to pair casual sweaters with fine T-fabrics is also a winner; keeps the look modern and intentional rather than dowdy. Thanks for sharing!

kkards

Veteran

Love the long cardi. And that color is fab
like TG I wear short cardi as ‘regular’ sweaters, Ie not as a topper but as the main event. Depending on the length I semi tuck, like Roxanne. These also look like there’d work over a summer dress.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I have this same issue because I need waist definition, & my hip length ones often don't give that when worn open. My solution has been to either knot the cardigan at the waist (pull the ends together) or tuck it into wider bottoms. Have you also considered using a belt at the natural waist (either over the shell top (with the cardigan left open & unbelted) or over both the top & the cardigan)?

I suppose you could also try cropping it yourself (if you're feeling brave enough)!

The Cat

Veteran

Your first pic: WOW! Relaxed elegance. Gorgeous colours for you.

To my eye, soft pants like the ones you are wearing often look best with toppers that are on the longer side.

I LOVE long cardigans. But I have some shorter ones, too, and find them to be practical when travelling, as they are less bulky and look fine under coats and jackets of any length.

Try the shorter cardigans with:
● Pants in the same colour
● Wide crops
● Midi skirts

Anonymous

Well - THIS generated some interesting thoughts. Thanks, all , for taking the time to chime in here. I can't quite wrap my head around wearing a shorter cardigan as a top - at least not these two. For starters, the necklines would be far too low (scarf could mitigate that issue I guess) and then there is the issue of gaping between the buttons. Seems like a lot of work to make one simple piece be wearable. But I get it - and I'll give it a try. I'm also not convinced about the boxier top with cropped pants look - it even sounds too unflattering for me, but I'll see what I can come up with. It's been a looooong winter and I'm out of practice with styling my clothes.

Lisa - I'm tired of the lean-over-long look too, and agree that the complete figure obscuring looks aren't for me either. Even long lightweight cardigans like this can feel tired and too mainstream - which is why I started the outfit with the shorter rust one. (but really, who the heck am I ? lol) I hadn't worn this one in probably two years, but I now remember why I liked it so much .

Anonymous

toenail colour is Essie "Garden Variety" #750. Man , I cannot wait to get a professional pedicure and manicure again .

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm a big long cardigan fan, but the shorter ones can be great with wide crops, as Angie said, or with skirts or dresses...basically, any situation where you'd want a shorter top or jacket.

kellygirl

Veteran

Love the long line sleek line the long cardigan makes. I think the fabrication and drape really help here because not all long cardigans are created equal. I have one that is cotton rich and it is nowhere as sleek as the rayon blend. Great tonal look, proportions are perfect too! And, I want those sandals. I really want another pair of sandal or slides that are comfortable for all day walking like my danskos. I don't have many shorter cardigans but I love the colors of yours and hope you find a way to wear them. The rust one looks like it would work with a tube skirt...IDK, I think you just need to do an outfit lab with them and share.

Style Fan

Veteran

I love this look on you, Lisa. You wear long cardigans so well. The olive is such a beautiful colour on you. Chanel No. 19 is my sister's fragrance. Wonderful.
I look like I am wearing a bathrobe when I wear long cardigans. I have never been able to style a long cardigan to look like something I would wear out of the house.
I wear short cardigans all the time. Maybe I look frumpy and didn't realize it. Oh well. I button them up, leave them open, whatever.
I do find the v-neck cardigans harder to wear. I avoid them.

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Roxanna

Veteran

Or try the short cardis with your leather/pleather bottoms. Instant modernizer.

I also feel like long cardis are a bit too classic for me - but how you’ve styled it here with the camo makes it edgy, which I love!

Gail

Veteran

The green looks wonderful on you.
I like to wear long cardigans as they feel flattering . I have several shorter ones and after reading your post I understand why I don't wear them I couldn't figure it out myself lol. I wish it was warm enough here for sandals, jealous.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I not the person to give advice about cardigans because I don’t wear them (one of those items that seems to be instant frump on me - short ones are too classic and long ones get stuck in my hips). But this looks fantastic. I love olive on you.

But how the heck did you get to sandal weather already? We had a few days of it here but we’ve gone back to chilly temps again. I’m firmly in sneaker territory.

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