trends - updated 22 oct, 2024

How to Wear Your Cardigan Without Looking Dated: 30 Best Outfit Ideas

By gemma prior

Mother of Pearl Oversized Charlotte Cardigan - how to wear your cardigan
Image: Motherofpearl.co.uk



How to wear a cardigan is probably the deciding factor when it comes to whether we see them as something outdated or as an essential piece in a capsule wardrobe.

In the past they may have been categorised as fashion your grandma wore or perhaps sparked a memory of a disheveled grungy look from the 90s. 

But that's absolutely not the case!

In recent seasons with thanks to labels such as Viktoria & Woods, Axel Arigato, and Toteme we’re seeing cardigans take centre stage in the world of fashion.  

From chic minimalist pieces to bold prints and bright colours, women's cardigans are available in a style that will suit every fashionista.

And with the ideas ever arising through social media on how to wear a cardigan, the options are endless.

Relaxed styles worn with pencils skirts, slim styles with jeans and sneakers, light cardigans with denim skirts.  Even outfits with a cardigan worn backwards or off-the-shoulders!

Cardigans are also just as useful when creating a dressier look as they're fabulous with a heeled sandal, pump or a sleek boot.

Also, styling outfits with a cardigan is particularly helpful for the in-between seasons.

Or for adding layers to outfits styled for cold winter days.
.

Keep scrolling to find 30 contemporary ideas for how to wear your cardigan, including some styles you might never have considered.

30 Ideas for How to Wear Your Cardigan


When the weather is too warm for a jacket but too cool for a t-shirt alone, outfits with a cardigan will rise to the occasion.

And when you’re looking for ideas for how to wear your cardigan, decisions obviously begin with what sort of occasion you’re dressing for.

Are you looking for something casual, an outfit for work, or a style with a little more formality?

Whatever you're looking for check out the 30 ideas I've put together for how to style a cardigan.


Woman wearing black cardigan and jeans

Friends With Frank coat; Jenni Kayne cardigan; Frame jeans; Little Liffner bagManolo Blahnik heel.

Woman wearing grey cardigan and jeans

Friends With Frank coat; Benetton cardigan; Frame jeans; Massimo Dutti bag; & Other Stories boots.

Woman wearing black cardiganand jeans

Friends With Frank coat; Viktoria & Woods cardigan; Frame jeans; Neous bag; Toteme sandal.

Woman wearing black cardigan with jeans and coat

Friends With Frank coatViktoria & Woods cardigan; Slvrlake jeans; Neous bag; Aeyde flat.

Woman wearing black cardigan and jeans

Viktoria & Woods trenchJenni Kayne cardigan; Frame jeans; Little Liffner bag; Toteme sandal.

Trench with grey cardigan and dark blue jeans

Viktoria & Woods trench; Benetton cardigan; Agolde jeans; Toteme bag; Aeyde flats.

Woman wearing grey cardigan and jeans with sneakers
Viktoria & Woods trench; Benetton cardigan; Slvrlake jeans; Toteme bag; Adidas sneakers.

Woman wearing grey cardigan and cream jeans with black heels
Viktoria & Woods trenchBenetton cardigan; MOTHER jeans; Massimo Dutti bag; Toteme sandal.


Woman wearing black cardigan and white jeans
Viktoria & Woods trench; Viktoria & Woods cardigan; Friends With Frank jean trousers; Toteme bag; Country Road flats.

Woman wearing black cardigan and white pants
Viktoria & Woods cardigan; Viktoria & Woods pant; Bassike t-shirt; Poolside straw bag; A. Emery sandal.

Woman wearing beige cardigan with white jeans and heels
By Malene Birger cardiganFriends With Frank jean trousers; Toteme t-shirt; Neous bag; ATP Atelier heels.

Woman wearing black cardigan and denim jeans

Apparis cardiganSLVRLAKE jeans; Toteme t-shirt; Massimo Dutti bag; Tony Bianco heelMorrison belt.

Woman wearing black cardigan, white jeans and heels
Apparis cardigan; Friends With Frank jean trousers; Toteme t-shirt; Massimo Dutti bag; Aeyde heels;
Morrison belt.

Woman wearing cream cardigan with black jumper and white jeansMax Mara cardiganFriends With Frank jean trousers; Banded Together jumperMassimo Dutti bag; ATP flats.

Woman wearing black cardigan with silk skirt and heelsViktoria & Woods cardigan; Friends With Frank skirt; Little Liffner pouch bag; Toteme sandals.

Woman wearing black cardigan and cream silk pantsViktoria & Woods cardigan; Friends With Frank silk pant; Little Liffner pouch bag; Aeyde sandal.

Woman grey cardigan with black pencil skirtBenetton cardigan; Henne skirt; Toteme bag; Manolo Blahnik heels.


Woman wearing black cardigan and denim skirtViktoria & Woods cardigan; Agolde denim skirt; Massimo Dutti bag; Morrison beltATP flats.

Woman wearing black jumper with white denim skirt Viktoria & Woods cardigan; Toteme trench coat; Agolde denim skirt; Prada bag; Toteme sandals. 

Woman wearing black cardigan with white shortsViktoria & Woods cardigan; Friends With Frank shorts; Massimo Dutti bag; ATP flats.

Woman wearing black cardigan with denim shorts and heelsViktoria & Woods cardigan; RE/DONE denim shorts; Morrison belt; Prada bag; Toteme sandals.

Woman wearing brown cardigan with jeans and red heelAxel Arigato cardigan; SLVRLAKE jeans; Neous bag; By Anthropologie heels.

Woman wearing brown cardigan with jeans and sneakersAxel Arigato cardiganSLVRLAKE jeans; Oroton bag; Toteme sneakers.

Woman wearing grey cardigan with jeans and heelsAlmada cardigan; SLVRLAKE jeans; Little Liffner pouch bag; Toteme sandals.

Woman wearing cream cardigan with jeans and heelsViktoria & Woods cardigan;  SLVRLAKE jeans; Oroton bag; Aeyde heels.

Woman wearing black cardigan and jeansJenni Kayne cardiganSLVRLAKE jeans; Toteme bag; Morrison belt; Manolo Blahnik heels.

Woman wearing grey cardigan with jeans and heelsAlmada cardiganFrame jeans; Little Liffner pouch bag; Morrison beltManolo Blahnik heels. 

Woman wearing black cardigan with jeans and trench coat

Viktoria & Woods cardigan; Toteme trench coat; Agolde jeans; Flattered bag; Gucci flats.

Woman wearing brown cardigan and jeans
Viktoria & Woods cardigan; Toteme trench coat; Agolde jeans; Oroton bag; Arket flats.

Woman wearing grey cardigan with jeans and silver heels

Benetton cardigan; SLVRLAKE jeans; Poolside straw bag; Aeyde heels.




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WoollInEnmercantile Wool wrote:
12 Nov 10:57pm
Many inspiring outfits. I've always liked the combination of wool sweaters <br />
<a href="https://woollinenmercantile.com/">Products made of natural wool and cashmere</a> with a long beige coat. I have a feeling that this combination will never go out of fashion :)