Cardigan Style Hacks You Should Know

Cardigans stand as the epitome of comfort, seamlessly fitting into any setting, whether you're relaxing with Netflix or gracing the red carpet. Their adaptability makes them a year-round staple, perfect for every occasion.

These versatile garments effortlessly enhance any wardrobe. Available in various materials—cotton, knit, cashmere, and more—they boast an array of styles. From long, cropped, pocketed to elegantly pocket-free designs, cardigans cater to all ages with flair and simplicity. Surprisingly, they're a trend even in summer, doubling as the ideal beach cover-up! So, let's embrace this versatile garment with essential cardigan style hacks you should know.

Types of Cardigans

There exist several cardigan types for all of us to style and pair with our favorite clothes.

Long Cardigans or Duster

These are unbelievably cozy! They are often styled in a laid-back fashion, which translates to comfort. They radiate an effortlessly chic vibe and are truly comfortable.

Check out Baleaf's UPF 50+ Quick-dry Cardigan you can easily layer on top of our Laureate Open Back One-Piece Swimsuit to stay fab in your swim adventures.

Wrap Cardigans

Wrap cardigans distinguish themselves through a relaxed, flowing silhouette and the absence of closures, offering a more unstructured feel compared to chunky knits. They make for an excellent option to layer over a form-fitting dress or pencil skirt. Much like belted cardigans, they frequently come with belts but feature a slightly more open and flowing design.

Kimono Cardigans

The relaxed counterpart to the wrap cardigan gives the ultimate comfort we need whatever the season is. Kimonos typically boast a lightweight, flowing style. They lean more toward spring vibes than fall. With the right layering, they can suit any season effortlessly.

Knit Cardigans

Another exceptionally comfortable choice, knit cardigans bring an abundance of warmth to the mix. Not only practical but also highly stylish, they contribute texture to an outfit, featuring various options such as cable knit, knitted wool, or fair isle patterns.

Cropped Cardigans

This cropped style cardigan pairs wonderfully with high-waisted bottoms, creating a contemporary silhouette. If you're a fan of hooded cardigans, you'll find it effortless to discover hooded versions of shorter cardigans, too. They're cute and fun to style with.

What To Wear Under a Cardigan

While cardigans are incredibly versatile, there are some tips to enhance your cardigan outfits.

How to wear a cardigan without looking old?

Picture a classic white tee and jeans day. Elevate your look with a cool cardigan featuring a bold, all-over print.

For a super cute ensemble, pair a blouse with a statement collar under a simpler, solid-colored cardi. If your blouse has a mock or turtleneck, opt for a cardigan with a more rounded neckline.

Lastly, a tank top or camisole works well with nearly any cardigan style. Get ready for plenty of mixing and matching as you expand your cardigan collection!

How to Style a Cardigan

The cardigan stands as a timeless and adaptable garment, making it a stylish essential for your wardrobe. Beyond offering warmth in colder seasons, it possesses the ability to elevate your overall look by creating the illusion of height and a more slender figure, ensuring you stay on-trend. Now, let's explore some stylish outfit ensembles featuring a cardigan.

Slender in High-Waisted Pants

To accentuate your wide-leg trousers, opt for a cardigan that is slightly fitted or shorter. This choice reveals the waistband, keeping your silhouette at the forefront. Finish off the ensemble by layering with neutral outerwear such as a trench coat, sunglasses, and shearling-lined loafers.

Easy in a Pair of Jeans

So how to wear a long cardigan?

Admire the textured intricacies of long cardigans! They're incredibly cozy, making them the ideal choice for the chilly winter months – almost like wearing a fashionable blanket. As a true statement piece, you can easily the Evergreen Lightweight Drape Cardigan with any casual outfit.

For a relaxed vibe, grab a pair of skinny jeans and a gray or black t-shirt. If you're aiming for a dressier look, elevate it with heeled shoes for a perfect blend of preppy and casual! However, you can still pull off this style effortlessly with classic sneakers.

Sexy in a Bralette Set

Whether you choose a comparable bra-and-cardigan combination or take a more modest approach with a top-and-sweater set, it's a chic look to experiment with, whether you're relaxing at home or on the move. It gives enough hint of skin without the total exposure.

Draped on the Shoulders

This may be one of the easiest ways to style a cardigan. Adopt a playfully preppy aesthetic by casually draping a lightweight sweater over your shoulders. Effortlessly pair it with jeans, a skirt, a dress, or even cozy sweats for a versatile and chic ensemble.

Smart Upside Down Vibes

A simple hack from this list entails choosing a cardigan with a loose, draped fit (instead of a slim, form-fitting style). Invert it so that the back of the collar (where the tag is located) sits on your lower back, slide your arms through the sleeves as usual, and pull the two ends of the cardigan around your shoulders. The result is a playful cropped twist that anyone can easily achieve.

Chic in a Cropped Cardigan

Remember Cher Horowitz in the 90s hit flick, "Clueless"? Achieve her preppy fashion flair with a cropped cardigan. Infuse your wardrobe with a blend of '90s fad and Parisian chic by pairing a cropped baby-tee cardigan with a more substantial gray counterpart and an A-line suede midi skirt. Take the ensemble to the next level with platform heels and a basket bag for a stylish finishing touch.

Demure in a Dress

How to wear a cardigan with a dress?

A chunky cable knit cardigan is a must-have for layering over a more glamorous ensemble, such as a slip dress paired with glittery heels. Finish off the look with an evening bag and coordinating jewelry for an outstanding party outfit.

Casual With a Tee

An open-front cardigan exudes a relaxed and casual vibe compared to the other options mentioned. To effortlessly style an open-front cardi, simply drape it over a pair of jeans and your favorite t-shirt, completing the look with adorable matching tan boots.

There's a Cardigan For Everyone

The range of cardigan styles available is truly extensive. You can experiment with layering by draping a cropped cardigan over a dress, placing a short-sleeved cardigan on top of a long-sleeved shirt, or donning a long cardigan sweater over a skirt. Alternatively, consider the simplicity of a cardigan dress.

Whatever your style preference is, Baleaf is with you all the way to make you look fab every day.