You wear cardigans. Along the same lines as tweed, throwing on a cardigan to finish your look can instantly age you, as it's normally an article of outerwear designated for older men and women. So, to avoid adding another decade to your appearance, opt instead for a nice denim jacket or a fitted blazer.
The key is to get the balance right. While oversized cardigans are a key trend at the moment, opting for huge, slightly-rounded shapes can make you look larger than you are. At the other end of the spectrum, form-fitting twinsets can look frumpy in certain outfits.
Crewnecks, v-necks, and scoop necks are ideal for wearing under a cardigan. Whether you are wearing a plain long-sleeved shirt or a sweater, it is simple and stylish to throw a cardigan over it.
The easiest way to wear the cardigan is over straight-leg jeans and a T-shirt – oversized styles are key to prevent your look from being twee. Or tuck it into high-waisted trousers for a slimmer silhouette. Alternatively, invest in a fine knit version and belt it over a midi skirt – a great winter workwear option.
Avoid enlarging details like pockets, decorations, ruffles, and give preference to slim, straight styles. Pay careful attention to its length. When paired with pants, the ideal length for most figures usually lies between just above the buttocks and mid-thigh.
The Golden Rule: Fold Your Sweaters
Heavier knits are most susceptible to stretching and shoulder bumps, since gravity will pull them down when on a hanger. Spring sweaters and cardigans also experience the same stretching after a while. So, when in doubt, fold them. But that doesn't mean you can't hang your sweaters.
Your skin is another obvious indicator of your age. This doesn't just include wrinkles, but things like dry skin and tired eyes, which can both be avoided. Reddit user Redhaired103 posted in /r/AskWomen that dark circles, pale skin, puffy eyes, and heavy makeup can also make you look older.
Loss of muscle tone and thinning skin gives the face a flabby or drooping appearance. In some people, sagging jowls may create the look of a double chin. Your skin also dries out and the underlying layer of fat shrinks so that your face no longer has a plump, smooth surface. To some extent, wrinkles cannot be avoided.
Although oversized cardigans are definitely trendy right now, you do not have to choose oversized. However, as a soft layer that you'll probably be wearing over other clothing, choose something that's not too skin-tight since that's going to create bulges and bulk from your clothing underneath.
A neutral color adds versatility to any clothing item, especially for sweaters. A black, beige, gray, dark blue, or deep brown sweater is easy to dress up or wear casually, making it a great addition to any capsule closet.
Informal dresses paired with cardigans and a pair of flats provide a perfect business casual outfit. Blazers are acceptable, although they can sometimes make your look a little overdressed. For shoes, flats, heels, boat shoes, dress shoes and loafers are all acceptable options.
Perfect for warmer months, cardigans with short sleeves or three-quarter length sleeves look polished and pretty on many dresses. They pair well with sheaths, shift dresses, fit-and-flare dresses, and some styles of wrapper or surplice dresses.
First, you don't want a cardigan to be too big, loose, and baggy. When buttoned up, it should sit close enough to the body that the v-neck doesn't gape open when you lean over.
You might be surprised to see this one here, but cardigans are casual sweaters. Although they look good when paired with dress shirts or dress slacks, they are not meant for professional settings.
Keeping it simple, cardigans are similar to jackets or blazers in regard to fit. They should have enough room through the shoulders and taper down the chest and the narrowest part under the ribcage. From there, your cardigan should widen a bit throughout the abdomen and fit comfortably—both open and closed.
Tip #6 | Long Jackets & Cardigans
Wearing a long cardigan or shirtdress creates the illusion of length. You can see before and after's in the video above! You're going to look taller in a long duster cardigan than in a chunky short cardigan.
Black never fails to make you look slim and elegant. Darker shades of colors like blue, purple and brown can also help to hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. On the other hand, lighter colors, like white and khaki, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.
Go with thinner knits or cashmere for a body skimming look. For belts, stick with skinny belts and consider a color that matches your sweater to elongate your torso. A long sleeve lightweight v-neck cardigan in a thinner knit is flattering and can be worn multiple seasons.