How to Casually Wear a Cardigan

Wear a cardigan with jeans and a T-shirt for a cool casual look.

Traditionally, cardigans are associated with librarians, senior citizens and schoolmarms. A cardigan sweater, however, is a very versatile garment that can be worn to create a variety of fashionably casual looks. Wear a cardigan with a simple T-shirt for extra warmth and style, or pair it with office wear for your next casual Friday.

Women's Casual Wear

The easiest and most casual way for a woman to wear a cardigan is to put it on with a T-shirt and a simple pair of jeans. This classic look doesn't have to be boring. Experiment with different lengths of shirts and cardigans or make your outfit slightly more sophisticated by opting for skinny jeans or denim leggings. You also can create a casual outfit by throwing a cardigan on over a simple summer dress or wearing it with a casual top and a cotton A-line skirt. Diversify the look by choosing a brightly colored cardigan or a sweater with an interesting pattern or bold stripes. You also can try different styles of cardigans, such as long-belted sweaters, fitted cropped cardis or loose-draped cardigans.

Women's Business Casual

A cardigan adds a casual element to a woman's work attire. An otherwise stuffy blouse and pencil skirt can be made business casual if a fitted cardigan is worn instead of a blazer. Cardigans also work well with fitted trousers. Accessorize your business casual look accordingly, adding informal jewelry and cute shoes so it doesn't simply look like you put on your regular suit with a cardigan substituted for a suit jacket. Also, consider adding either a skinny or over-sized belt to cinch in your waist and finish the look.

Men's Casual Wear

A cardigan works as casual menswear in the same way it works for women, as a layering piece over a T-shirt with a pair of jeans. For a basic casual look, pair the cardigan with a plain T-shirt, either the same color as the cardigan for a monochromatic look, or with a contrasting colored shirt. If you want to go even more casual, consider a hooded cardigan, a zipped cardigan or a cozy shawl-collared cardigan. For a slightly more put-together look, pair a standard solid-colored cardigan with a plaid or patterned button-up shirt.

Men's Business Casual

As with women, a cardigan can easily take a man's work clothes into the realm of business casual. Cardigans work well with either pleated or flat-front trousers. If wearing a cardigan with a starchy button-up shirt, be sure to choose a well-fitted cardigan, as a baggy or unstructured cardigan will make you look sloppy. Either leave the top button of your shirt undone or wear a tie under the cardigan for a sharper look.

References

• BeStylish.org: Cardigans for Men –- The Style Secret Celebrities Don’t Want You to Know
• ExtraPetit: How to Style a Leopard Cardigan for Casual and Work Wear
• BecomeGorgeous.com: How to Wear a Cardigan
• Made Man: 5 Different Ways of Wearing a Cardigan
• Things Every College Girl Should Know: 3 Ways to Wear: Cute Cardigan