Long cardigans are one of my favorite pieces. Not just because I like to be cozy at all times, but because I use them to cover my butt! LOL. There, I said it. I am brutally honest and that is exactly why I love them. So if you are anything like me, you are going to love this post on how to wear a long cardigan.
My main goal is to help you maximize what you already own, add your own personal touch to any of these looks, and put together your own long cardigan outfits without overthinking it.
And guess what? You can wear this one piece ALL year round. Today I will show you exactly how.
Here’s what you’ll learn today:
✅ How many long cardigans you actually need (spoiler: fewer than you think).
✅ 7 simple outfit formulas so you can style a long cardigan for any season.
✅ A step by step way to build your own long cardigan outfits with pieces you already have.
Ready to learn how to wear a long cardigan? Let’s do this!
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Estimated reading time: 18 minutes
The trick to how to wear a long cardigan is to treat it as the hero of your outfit and keep everything under it simple: a fitted top, one clean bottom, and shoes that match the vibe. Stick to a lightweight cardigan and a cozier one in neutral colors, and you can pull together dozens of long cardigan outfits from pieces you already own.
Why do I really like long cardigans?
About the long cardigans covering my butt, I was joking… sort of.
But there are plenty of other reasons to love them, especially if you are wondering how to wear a long cardigan in a way that is stylish and practical:
✅ They instantly elevate a plain outfit, making even the simplest look feel more put together.
✅ They add an extra layer to any winter look, and the best part? You can take them on and off, completely changing your outfit in seconds.
✅ If you live in a city like Chicago, they are a year round staple. Whether you are layering up in the winter or throwing one over a summer dress on a chilly evening, they work in every season. That is exactly what you want in your clothing, versatility.
✅ They create a flattering silhouette by adding length and movement to your outfit. Whether you are wearing jeans, leggings, or a dress, a long cardigan adds that easy, stylish touch.
✅ They are comfy! A long cardigan feels like wearing a cozy blanket in public, and honestly, who would not love that?
Learning how to wear a long cardigan in different ways is key to shopping smarter and making the most of your wardrobe. The less you own, the easier it is to get dressed every day. Plus, a clutter free closet means a clutter free mind.
How many long cardigans do you need in your closet?
Since long cardigans are a part of all my capsule wardrobes; Summer, Spring, Winter and Fall, there are 2 options here:
1️⃣ Either you have a different one for each season (meaning 4) OR
2️⃣ You have one or two and wear them all year round. Of course you would replace them every couple of years or as needed. You always want to make sure everything you own is in good shape.
If I am being completely honest, I do not think you need 4. You will be just fine with 2 or 3. This depends on where you live and your lifestyle. It also depends on your personal style and how much you actually like long cardigans in general.
Which colors and styles should you get?
Whether you choose to have 1, 2, 3 or 4 long cardigans, my advice is to stick to neutrals and add one printed one. Make sure the material is different for each too.
You always want a lightweight one and a cozier one (this is if you live in a 4 season city). This way you can create as many long cardigan outfits as possible, and that is exactly what we want here.
How to create your own long cardigan outfits and maximize the pieces you already have
I have been sharing tips on how to maximize everything in your closet, and that is why I keep creating these outfit formulas you will see below.
My goal is to inspire you to recreate some of these looks with things you already own, so you can get dressed easily every day and walk out the door feeling confident. Dressing well can do that for you.
Notice that for all looks I am wearing a long cardigan + a T-shirt (except for the dress look). I did this on purpose because I always try to use basic pieces:
A.) It is what I mostly own, and B.) it is easier for you to recreate the looks with pieces you already have in your closet, and that is exactly my goal.
Here’s how to create your own long cardigan outfits:
- Pick one of the outfit formulas below to follow.
- Take similar pieces out of your closet and separate them into piles (all the dress options together, all the T-shirt options together, all the shoe options together).
- In this case the hero piece is the long cardigan, so pick one and build every look around it.
- Start mixing. Follow the formula. That is really it!
- Take some photos for future reference, so you do not have to think about it too much later on.
I know it sounds like a lot and kind of time consuming, but doing this once will save you so much time later. You will have plenty of outfit options ready to go.
If you want, call a friend and create the outfits together over a glass of wine. It is a fun thing to do for each other, and you get a second opinion whenever you have doubts.
I honestly hope this helps!
OK. Feeling ready? Let’s learn how to style a long cardigan!
How to wear a long cardigan: 7 basic outfit formulas
I will walk you through each of these looks to help you think outside the box. So read carefully 👀
Look 1: How to wear a long cardigan with sneakers
I decided to start with an easy one. And what is easier than sneakers and leggings, right?
I am using some of my favorite and most styled pieces here; a white T-shirt, white sneakers and classic faux leather leggings. (I wrote a very detailed Spanx leggings review you should read before you buy.)
Feel free to grab any similar piece and put them together. It does not matter the color or print. Just have fun! I am not saying mix camo with leopard, but do mix different neutrals, or neutrals with a pop of color, or one printed piece. Play with what you already have.
The outfit formula:
Long Cardi + White T-shirt + Faux Leather Leggings + Sneakers + Cozy hat
More ways to style a long cardigan with sneakers:
👟 A decently priced, gorgeous and sustainable white sneaker option here.
Look 2: How to wear a long cardigan with a skirt
I created this look to remind you that you can style your long cardigan with a lot of your skirts too. We usually forget this and only pair them with skinny pants or jeans, but have fun with your skirts as well!
This is one of my favorite outfits for Fall. It is very easy to put together, and you can create so many versions by changing the skirt, shoes, or T-shirt.
The outfit formula:
Long Cardi + White T-shirt + Skirt + Tights + Casual boots
Look 3: Styling a long cardigan with a dress
Do not forget you can style your long cardigans with dresses. Try layering one over your summer dresses. It usually works best with sleeveless dresses.
You can wear this without tights and swap the booties for sandals or sneakers depending on the season. Just remember to spice things up with an accessory, whether a belt, a hat, fun earrings, or a necklace. Accessories elevate this look.
⚠️ Important: the tights I am linking are from Unbound Merino. They are usually sold out, so if you see them, snag them! (OOS, but I’ve linked similar options.) If they are gone, add your email to their list and they will let you know when they restock.
The outfit formula:
Long Cardi + Dress + Tights + Booties + Belt
Look 4: Wearing a long cardigan with jeans
One of my favorite looks because it is so easy! You only need a T-shirt, jeans, booties and your long cardigan of course!
Remember you can add accessories like a belt, bag, hat, necklace, rings, or earrings. Accessories always upgrade a basic outfit. Just choose one or two at the most and do not overdo it.
The outfit formula:
Long Cardi + White T-shirt + Jeans + Ankle booties + Belt
3 bonus long cardigan looks!
I created these bonus looks with other cardis I own to help you think outside the box. Maybe you do not own a beige cardi like the one above, but you own it in a different color or style.
Notice that for all these looks I am wearing T-shirts, booties and other basic pieces you probably already have.
Hope these help you picture other looks you would like to recreate for yourself :) Enjoy!
How to wear a long cardigan, Bonus look #1:
Have a printed cardi? Mix it with neutrals!
This way the long cardigan stays the hero piece. Play with similar colors in the same palette for your accessories. That is why I added a pink hat and pink boots.
The outfit formula:
Printed Cardi + T-shirt + Faux Leather Leggings + Winter Boots + Pink hat
How to wear a long cardigan, Bonus look #2:
Remember to include printed T-shirts or pants when you build your own looks! It is not just about neutrals (I cannot believe I just said that!).
If you have graphic T-shirts, those are great too. I do not own any, that is why I did not include them, but use them if you have them, because they are super cool and less basic than a white one.
The outfit formula:
Green Cardi + Graphic T-shirt + Faux Leather Leggings + Sneakers
How to wear a long cardigan, Bonus look #3:
If you do not know what to do, remember you can never go wrong with neutrals.
Dressing in the same color is not as hard as it sounds. Keep it simple, and if you want to break the pattern a little, add one printed piece.
That is pretty much it!
The outfit formula:
Grey Cardi + Grey corduroy pants + White T-shirt + Ankle booties
🧥 Does your closet pass this test?
Take this closet score quiz to find out. It is fun, and more importantly, I will tell you exactly what to do next with your closet so getting dressed (in your long cardigan or anything else) feels easy.
Answer 7 quick questions here ⬇️ It’s free and takes 20 seconds!
🛍️ Shop the Post
Here is everything I wore and linked throughout this post, grouped so you can grab what you need. Quince is my go to for most of these because the quality is great for the price.
Cardigans
- All long cardigans (my go to, neutral and easy to style)
- All cardigans (if you want cropped or printed options too)
Tops
- White T-shirts (the base of almost every look here)
Bottoms
Dresses
- Dresses and skirts (a sleeveless one layers best)
Shoes
- White leather sneakers (the ones I wear)
- Boots and booties
Accessories
Other Brands & Styles I LOVE and wore in this blog post
- Ann Taylor: Cardigans
- Talbots: Cardigans | Skirts
- Eileen Fisher: Cardigans
- Boden: Sweaters & Cardigans (great for colorful options)
- Nordstrom: Booties
Ways to style a cardigan: 30 timeless looks I still love
There are so many ways to style a cardigan, and as always, I like to go back and add other times I have worn mine. I have had a lot of different ones, and I usually keep 3 at a time (I promise no more than that). I have styled them in many ways and for every season.
Here are some of my favorite looks. These are basically all the times I have styled a long cardigan over the past 7 years (at least the times I took photos in one).
This is why it is so worth it to build a classic style that is timeless. You will not have to constantly shop or chase random trends. Invest in pieces that last, and spice things up with accessories.
I promise you will be a lot happier with less stuff!
How to style a long cardigan in classic ways:
As you can see, I have had a few but they were never too crazy, and I always wear them all year round. If you look closely, you will notice I repeat them a lot and always mix them with classic, timeless pieces.
And there you have it. Everything I know about how to style a long cardigan, all in one place.
You do not need these exact pieces to recreate these looks. That is why I add an outfit formula for each one, to inspire you to have fun with your own closet, use whatever colors you have, and add your personal touch with accessories and whatever makes you, YOU ⭐️
Take everything from one formula out, lay it on your bed or floor, and see what works with what. After doing this a few times you will get the hang of it, and before you know it you will be building your own long cardigan outfits without a second thought. That is exactly what I want for you.
Thanks for reading!
XO,
Aimara
>>> PS: do not forget to take the closet score quiz today! By answering 7 quick questions, I can assess the state of your closet and tell you exactly what to do next. It’s free and takes 20 seconds!
About the author:
Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27, when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband, Gordon. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about maximizing every single piece I own, especially a long cardigan.
I love creating new looks and looking cute while I travel. On this blog I share all my looks, even when I do not have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece in your closet and encourage you to live with less.
MORE STYLE ARTICLES 👇🏼
- How to create a spring capsule wardrobe with just 25 pieces
- How to find your personal style
- 7 timeless pieces you can wear ALL year
- How to style black jeans
- How I created a 25 piece capsule wardrobe with just Quince pieces
Long Cardigan FAQ
What do you wear under a long cardigan?
I usually wear a cami or a T-shirt. You can also wear a thin sweater, a long sleeve top, or even a dress under your cardigan. On a few occasions I wear a button down shirt and it looks really good. One thing to remember: a top with puffed or detailed sleeves usually does not work, because it looks bulky once you add the cardigan on top.
How do you wash a long cardigan?
I wash mine in cold water with the rest of my delicates and let it air dry. Do not put your sweaters in the dryer. Some nicer cardigans call for dry cleaning, but since I travel full time I try to avoid pieces that need extra care.
How many long cardigans do you really need?
You do not need 4, one for each season. Two or three will cover you, ideally one lightweight and one cozier, both in neutral colors. That small mix is enough to build dozens of long cardigan outfits.
Can you wear a long cardigan in the summer?
Yes, a lightweight one is perfect for summer. Throw it over a sleeveless dress or a tank on a cool evening, on the plane, or in an over air conditioned restaurant. That is exactly why a long cardigan earns its spot in every season.
What shoes go with a long cardigan?
Almost anything, which is part of why I love it. White sneakers keep it casual, booties make it feel put together for fall, and sandals work when it is warm. Match the shoe to the vibe you are going for.
Are long cardigans good for carry-on travel?
They are one of my favorite travel layers. A cardigan doubles as a plane blanket, dresses up or down, and works across seasons, which is everything you want when you live out of a carry-on. A cashmere one packs down small, so it is a great choice if you want something warm that does not take up much room.
How do you keep a long cardigan from looking frumpy?
Keep what is underneath fitted, so a slim tee or tank rather than another loose layer. Add one accessory like a belt or a necklace to define your shape, and let the cardigan be the hero. That balance is the whole secret to a long cardigan looking intentional instead of sloppy.
Did you learn how to wear a long cardigan today? Save it for later or share it with a friend! 📌
Are short or long open front asymmetrical sweaters or cardigans still in style?
Please add me to your list when you post new content
Hi Brynn :) Thank you! I’m not sharing a lot of new content lately because I’m traveling full time and managing our travel website and YouTube channel, so it doesn’t leave time for much 🙈 I’m working on a blog post right now, hopefully I’ll have it ready in the next month or so :) Thanks for being here!!
I just came across your blog, and absolutely love it! Actually it was exactly what I was looking for in creating a minimalist wardrobe, and outfit ideas. Enjoy your travels!!
Hi Lin! Thanks so much :) This makes me so happy! Planning on writing more about it this year! I’ve learned a lot after being on the road full time LOL