The Modern Cardigan

Written by Allie Kuo

In middle school, one of my favorite outfits was a three-quarter sleeve Hollister cardigan in a bright coral knit, layered over a white tank top (lace trim optional). My closet was filled with these buttoned-up sweaters, often used as a protective device against being reprimanded by teachers for exposed shoulders. It wasn’t until mid-high school that I weaned myself off of my cardigan collection. 

At a certain point, I was no longer inspired by these knits, always worn over a tank top or added onto an outfit to ward against the cold. But after an unintentional cardigan hiatus, I’m ready to not only give the sweaters a second chance, but also give them the spotlight in an ensemble. 

This cozy staple isn’t exactly known for being chic or trendy — my mind jumps to “librarian” or “Mr. Rogers” when I think of these sweaters, straying far from the street style that graces the pages of magazines and our Instagram feeds. But it’s time to leave the traditional, buttoned-up styling of cardigans in the past. 

Cardigans are versatile, comfortable, and found in nearly every closet. Seriously, ask your mom, friend, boyfriend, coworker — I promise everyone will be able to dig up at least one cardigan. Some have buttons, while others drape effortlessly without embellishment. And the variety in materials and weight (cashmere! cotton! a chunky knit!) means that every season can be cardigan season. 

Now let’s turn the cardigan’s matronly reputation on its head.

1. Getting naked – While cardigans are typically used as a layering basic, try wearing it as your only layer. You may want to pick a softer cardigan for this look, so the fibers don’t have you feeling itchy all over, but this is a great look for those 60° fall days where you can’t be bothered to put on a shirt under your sweater. If you’ve got a bralette that deserves to see the light of day, this is the perfect look to show it off. A little edge of lace — or even nothing at all — can spice up an otherwise modest cardigan.

2. Flip it around – Who says that a cardigan only has one front side? Flip that sweater around and you’ve got an instant crewneck with a fun back. V-neck cardigans are ideal for this look — pair them  with a backwards necklace and a bun or ponytail for something surprising and fresh. Or, keep the focus on the front with a chunky statement necklace that hits below the cardigan’s neckline. With a cardigan that buttons up high, try buttoning every other one. Show a little skin or wear a tank top in a contrasting color underneath for unexpected pops of color.

3. Off the shoulder – This will work best with an oversized v-neck cardigan. Pull the sweater up high and let it rest naturally off your shoulders; it may take a little trial and error but this is easily the most effortless, model-off-duty look of the bunch. Since there will be extra fabric in the back, tuck it into a pair of high waisted pants (wide-legged would be incredible!) to complete the outfit.

4. Buttoned up with a twist - Instead of leaving the top few buttons unbuttoned, go for the opposite look and only button the top one. Imagine a cape, but on a far more wearable level. This is best paired with a shirt underneath, as it’s a more exposed look than the other cardigan options, but pairing a bralette and high waisted pants with this  look could be a serious power move.