How Style to a Cardigan, According to the Fall Runways
The leaves are changing and the the pumpkin-ification of grocery store shelves is on full display—signs that is it is officially, and undeniably, fall. Sartorially, this means it’s sweater weather: a predictable development in the cycle of our wardrobes, sure, but also a deliciously cozy time to get dressed.
While there are plenty of runway-approved ways to get your wool and cashmere fix this season, our current favorite has to be the cardigan. For fall 2024, the closet chameleon was seen at Prada in poppy candy shades cut with pencil skirts in black and gray, at Miu Miu mixed with layered, preppy knits, and at Paco Rabanne as an oversized grandpa shape, layered over checked tailoring. We love them for their versatility and ability to layer. And once you’ve nailed your preferred way how to style a cardigan, the look can easily take you from the office to after-hours—not to mention it’s an easy layer you’ll be wearing it well into spring. Shop our favorite ones of the season and learn how to style a cardigan our edit, below.
Vogue’s Favorite Fall Cardigans:
Evidently, there is no single way to wear the cardigan this season, but the catwalks were filled with plenty of styling suggestions to get your creative juices flowing. We found five runway looks to kickstart your cardigan game this season – scroll down to see and shop our line-up.
Runway: Miu Miu
Prep School Chic
This Miu Miu look is all about layering. Pile a cardigan over a sweater vest and a button-up for an updated take on preppy. A full skirt provides contrast, while biker boots add just the right amount of edge.
Runway: Paco Rabanne
Mixed-Print Media
Sometimes more really is more. This Paco Rabanne runway look plays with prints and textures, contrasting an oversized grandpa sweater with mixed checks and plaids. The key to keeping this look grounded is the sharp black blazer and brogues.
Runway: Prada
Lady in Red (and purple)
Prada’s colorful knits will certainly be a runaway hit this fall. We love this combination of red and purple sweaters, cut with a sleek gray pencil skirt. The blue heels and quirky hat are so wrong, they’re actually just right.
Runway: Chloé
Gray Upgraded
There’s nothing cozier than a pair of cashmere sweats. Push yours beyond the work-from-home grind by updating them with luxe accessories, like soft leather ballerinas and an elegant bracelet bag.
Runway: Bally
Short and Sweet
Bally’s pink cardigan dress looks plucked out of the film Paris, Texas, and the coquettish look is easy to replicate. We added a black mini to up the wearability, and kept the charming accessories.
Shop more cardigans:
How to Wear a Cardigan Without Going Granny
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
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We’ve tried numerous pieces from Gap’s CashSoft collection, and this cardigan is one of our favorites. Why? It’s a versatile piece that you can layer and style in multiple ways. To show this versatility, we had seven writers, with seven very different style, show us how they would wear it. What we found across the board was that if you want a roomy fit or add layers underneath, size up. The fit was true to size but snug around the arms for some.
Here is how the team styled the Gap CashSoft cardigan.
Brooke LaMantia, editorial assistant
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
How did it fit: True to size, but snug along the armpits. I would order this in a large, just so it’s a tad looser on my arms.
How did you style it: I love a cardigan, but I wanted to style this differently than my go-to, which regularly consists of a white tank under it with two buttons done at the top. Since it wasn’t freezing out, I decided to pair this green cardigan with my favorite silk miniskirt from Free People and some chunky leather boots from Nordstrom Rack. And I added my new prized possession, a vintage bomber jacket I scoured the streets of London for.
Danya Issawi, fashion news writer
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
How did it fit: True to size, but it relaxes the longer you wear it. It was very comfortable and didn’t make me sweaty.
How did you style it: Despite normally having a deep-seated hatred for the color blue, I’ve been inspired by baby blue and red together this winter and felt like the time was right for me to act on this vision. When I get dressed on most occasions, I tell myself a narrative, especially when I’m not going somewhere specific like a party or event where the dress code feels clearer. The story I told myself was that I was a woman with a clear sense of self, perhaps one who lives in Copenhagen or Paris or inside a Nora Ephron film from the late ’90s — think Parker Posey in You’ve Got Mail on her way to a casual holiday party, one where she doesn’t intend to stay late but definitely wants to make an appearance. I built the outfit around this make-believe version of myself, this character, coupled with clothes that make me feel comfortable IRL outside of this imaginary realm: a flouncy Madewell skirt with pockets, a light Dôen tank underneath that would work on its own if I got hot and needed to take the cardigan off, pointed-toe kitten heels (in case I need to make a run for it), and a funky Ganni beret, because why the hell not?
Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
How did it fit: Comfortably, but not as loose as I would have preferred.
How did you style it: I wanted a basic white tee to contrast with the cardigan, so I chose this one from Cou Cou Intimates. I love the cardigan as a light layering piece and wanted to lean into its preppiness. I kept the rest of the look clean and minimal but still dressed up with loose-fitting wide-leg jeans and a little heel. I prefer an oversize cardigan and have worn one for years, but this more fitted one balanced out my jeans, which tend to be baggy or wide-leg. It looked chic buttoned up slightly, but I’d also like to note that the buttons were hard to work with.
Hanna Flanagan, shopping writer and editor
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
How did it fit: Stretchy and comfortable with a straight silhouette throughout. I have broad shoulders, so it was a bit more formfitting up top but oversize around the waist. If you want a more forgiving fit, I’d recommend sizing up. I also have pretty long arms and find that most cardigans are a bit too short on them; this one was the perfect length, though.
How did you style it: Since this cardigan is super soft and cozy, I felt compelled to dress it down with an equally comfortable pair of pants. I wore thrifted black trousers that look put-together because they’re slightly tailored but feel like sweatpants, thanks to the elastic waistband. I layered the cardigan over my favorite Leset Margo Tee to give the look some dimension, then accessorized with satin mules from Larroudé — because leopard print and red is a classic combination that will forever remind me of Alexa Chung.
Asia Milia Ware, beauty writer
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
How did it fit: I ordered a large because I wanted it to fit a bit oversize; I would normally wear a medium. Cardigans aren’t usually my style, but I figured if I got it oversize, I could tailor it more to my style.
How did you style it: I wore it a bit off the shoulder with a Pinsy bodysuit underneath; it’s extremely compressional, so I was able to wear the cardigan without it looking sloppy. For bottoms, I wore COS leather culottes to add a bit of edge to the look, as well as boots, my favorite fall accessory. Because everything else in the look was black-and-white, it allowed the cardigan to pop even more, and styling it slightly off the shoulder made it feel like something I’d actually wear out.
Emma Oleck, fashion market editor
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
How did it fit: Comfortably. It wasn’t tight but not oversize.
How did you style it: All the way buttoned, top to bottom, for the cozy but sleek vibe. I paired it with a Frankie Shop leather jacket, oversize slacks, and a little white tee underneath. This cardigan is so versatile, I could wear it a million ways.
Morgan Evans, shopping writer and editor
Photo: Maridelis Morales Rosado
How did it fit: A little boxy but not oversize or totally fitted. Most of the time, I prefer an oversize sweater, but for a cardigan like this, I wanted it to be a bit more formfitting.
How did you style it: The best thing about this cardigan is the incredibly soft texture, which makes it super versatile. It can easily be dressed up or down depending on the vibe you’re going for. With the bright-red color, I was thinking about the holidays and decided to style the cardigan in a way that can go from the office to a holiday soirée. I decided to wear the cardigan fully buttoned with no second layer, like its own top, and paired it with a black leather Reformation miniskirt, textured tights, and my favorite shoes of the season, these snake-embossed Italian leather mary jane pumps from J.Crew. When I wear red, I love to do a matching red lip (whether it’s the holidays or not), and when I do, I don’t like to overaccessorize because the lipstick is an accent on its own. But I never leave the house without earrings, so I topped off this look with a pair of round, chunky COS gold hoops — a subtle statement that isn’t overbearing but adds a nice touch to balance out the look.
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Do you struggle with how to wear cardigans without looking frumpy? Then this post is for you!
(updated October 2020)
Cardigans are trending right now, and they’re very practical, but they can be tricky. If you’re not careful, they can read frumpy really fast. I’ve been trying to determine what makes some cardigans look cute and others look frumpy, and here are my best tips!
How to Wear Cardigans Without Looking Frumpy
#1. Figure out what style/length of cardigan looks best on your body type.
As with all matters of fashion, women’s bodies are all different so certain styles will be more flattering on some of us than others.
Learn what works for you by trying on different styles and lengths of cardigans — take pictures if you’re unsure, and compare.
color block cardigan // white tee // skinny jeans // similar booties
#2. Wear form-fitting clothes underneath or a dress that’s belted.
Especially when the cardigan is slouchy, make sure the silhouette underneath is form-fitting; otherwise you will look larger than you are.
A body-con dress like this one works well under a long cardigan.
long cardigan (exact; but my color sold out) // ruched sheath (exact)
I try to wear tees that are more form-fitting under my cardigans.
cardigan // white tee // light wash skinnies // sneaker mules
#3. Size down in longer cardigans and/or choose cardigans that are more fitted.
Slouchy cardigans are trending for the younger set, but let’s be honest — unless you are tall and skinny, slouchy oversized cardigans tend to add visual weight.
I find that I look best in cardigans that are designed to fit closer to the body. Oftentimes these are made of a fine-gauge knit or ribbed material. This one is really old, but the thin ribbed material keeps it fitting close to the body.
ribbed cardigan (similar for less) // white tee // white skinnies // espadrilles
I sized down to an XS in this cardigan for a closer fit.
long cardigan // rust tee (option) // utility pants // booties // initial necklace // boho cuff // sunnies (option)
#4. Pay attention to the fit of the arms.
This is another big revelation I had after comparing several pictures of myself wearing various cardigans. My favorites — and the ones I feel are most slimming — are the ones that have skinnier arms.
thermal draped cardigan
I realize this may not be the best advice for those who carry extra weight in their arms (see #1) but it’s something to consider.
hooded cardigan // white tee // crop skinnies // white crossbody
I also prefer a cardigan with shoulder seams ON the shoulder, as opposed to the drop shoulder that is so popular right now. The drop shoulder adds visual bulk to an area most of us don’t want it.
These are close . . . also note the ribbed material and long, slim cut to this sweater.
cardigan (exact, but my color sold out) // grey tee // similar black jeans // similar spotted mules // similar bag
#5. Show some skin.
This is more about what you wear under your cardigan than the style of the cardigan.
Many of us wear cardigans to feel cozy and warm, so it’s tempting to throw a cardigan on over a turtleneck or crewneck top, but most cardigans will be a lot more flattering over an open-neck top.
See how wearing an infinity scarf over this sweater adds bulk and visual weight. Also, the shirt underneath is rather shapeless (see #2.)
Almost every woman, no matter what her size or body type, looks best in a top that shows her collar bones — especially when most of the rest of your body is covered up.
So if you’re stuck on turtlenecks and crewneck tops, try swapping them out for a scoop neck or a v-neck. You may be surprised how much difference it makes!
(This is true for tops worn with cardigans or without!)
cardigan // tank // similar grey jeans (budget option) // booties (tortilla suede)
#6. Pay attention to current trends.
Like with any other article of clothing, cardigan trends evolve, and you will always look less frumpy if you’re wearing a more current style — as long as it is appropriate for your body type.
While super long cardigan coats are trending right now, I steer clear because they’re so long on my 5’5″ frame, I feel they overwhelm me.
But I do like some of the longer styles — like to the knee or mid-thigh.
Try pairing a graphic tee with a long cardigan — the graphic tee creates a pleasing juxtaposition with the more refined cardigan. Also, in this case, the Chelsea boots help keep the look current.
graphic tee // cardigan // skinnies // booties // belt
Or try a cardigan over a printed cami for a dressier look.
cardigan// leopard cami // skinny jeans // booties
And this is taking the cardigan in a totally different direction, but right now, the shorter cardigans are making a comeback… most often worn buttoned-up like this.
camo cardigan // black tank // washed black jeans // similar black suede mules // Lucky Brand earrings // initial pendant // Coach courier bag
#7. Wear slouchy cardigans cautiously.
A cardigan can be cute if it’s intentionally slouchy, but not if it’s simply oversized. If you do wear a slouchy cardigan, I recommend wearing something more form-fitting underneath. Also, wear the cardigan so that it frames the outfit rather than covering it.
I didn’t think I was going to love this oatmeal cardigan when it arrived in the mail, but when I threw it on over my favorite t-shirt and cropped skinnies, I found that the slouchy style works because it sits back and allows the rest of the outfit to show.
It also helps that it’s also not super long. I think this just-below-the-hip-length tends to be the most flattering on me personally.
cardigan (old) // similar tee // crop skinnies // wedge sandals // pendant necklace
#8. Don’t ignore the rear view.
The long, straight cardigans are having a moment right now, but make sure to look at the rear view before deciding to purchase one. They may look okay from the front, but if you turn around, they can go terribly wrong.
This yellow cardigan is longer than my ideal length, but because of the fine-gauge ribbed knit, it follows the lines of my body without adding a ton of visual weight, so I think it works. Also, the side slits help.
long linen blend cardigan // AG legging ankle jeans
I hope these tips are helpful! What would you add to this list?
Shop My Favorite Cardigans
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