How to Style a Cardigan for Spring

Below, nine distinct ways to style the cardigan this season.

Embrace Texture

Instead of a cardigan in a closed-knit, consider something a bit more distinct, like crochet. Create a makeshift twinset by pairing it with a knit top in a similar hue. Taking cues from Polo Ralph Lauren and Celine, introduce a prep sensibility by styling the tops with pleated chinos and a slim-line sneaker. Finish the look with a hat, to channel a touch of the late, great Diane Keaton.

Soeur

Transparent Hat

Polo Ralph Lauren

Big Pony Crochet Cardigan

Maria McManus

Cashmere-Cotton T-Shirt

Aritzia

Amherst Pant

Keds Champion Leather Sneaker

Now 20% Off

Let the Cardigan Be the Star

Forget playing it safe. Pair an embellished, slightly acidic green cardigan with a classic striped poplin shirt. Although Memorial Day is still a month away, there’s no reason to hold off on white pants, especially when they bring a lighter feel to the look. Add straw and raffia touches to really usher in the warmer weather.

Bode Beaded Wool & Cashmere Cardigan

Veronica Beard Carys Crop Pants

Sensi Studio

Large Straw Tote

Mango

Stripe Poplin Button-Up Shirt

Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina

Go Ladylike, But With a Twist

The spring collections offered a strong lineup of skirts. Skip the expected pencil or mini and opt for something asymmetrical, ideally with a slightly frayed edge, to introduce a bit of tension to your prim jacket-style cardigan. Pair with a band-collar shirt, which sits cleanly against the neckline, and finish with a floral brooch.

Another Tomorrow Collarless Blouse

COS Sculptural Cotton Cardigan

Helena Simon Light Pink Carnation Floral Brooch

Kallmeyer

Frayed Asymmetric Tweed Midi Skirt

Loeffler Randall

Kiri Leather Shoulder Bag

Add a Dash of Cerulean Blue

With the upcoming release of The Devil Wears Prada 2, it’s no surprise there’s renewed interest in cerulean. Instead of referencing pre-makeover Andy Sachs, let the color act as a single point of emphasis within an otherwise brown palette, with the addition of a white T-shirt. Then, ground the whole ensemble with one of the season’s defining shoes, the flip-flop. Consider a car coat as a final layer.

GWYN

Mathilde Coat

Leset Margo T-Shirt

Uniqlo

Cotton Relaxed Ankle Pants

A.Emery

Kinto Leather Thong Sandals

J.Crew Perfect Cashmere Cardigan

Toughen Up Pointelle

There’s an inherent softness to a pointelle knit that can veer saccharine. To counter it, introduce structure and sharper lines, like a rigid denim pencil skirt. Touches of black, like a woven belt, can help ground the look, but rather than defaulting to an all-black outfit, consider bringing in deeper tones, like a rich red structured handbag and matching mule, which offer the same sense of weight, while adding a bit more dimension.

Alex Mill

Elle Pointelle Cardigan

Khaite Kendra Denim Pencil

Savette

Symmetry Slim Leather Bag

Charvet

Woven Leather-Trimmed Cord Belt

Sezane

Ingrid Mule

Default to Denim

An all-denim ensemble remains one of the most reliable outfits. Layering an open-front cardigan over this relaxed base only enhances its sense of ease. Bring in subtle Southwestern-inspired touches as the finishing notes with a silk bandana and fringe moccasins.

Madewell Airy Denim Relaxed Shirt-Jacket

La Ligne

High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans

Toteme

Open-Front Mohair-Blend Cardigan

Jamie Haller

The Camp Loafers

Gap Silk Bandana

Now 22% Off

Try It With Colorful Jeans

Dario Vitale reignited interest in several seemingly passé styles with his debut (and final collection) at Versace, including colored denim. What made it compelling was the way it felt both nostalgic and refined. Using a wardrobe staple, like a brown V-neck cardigan, with something slightly more experimental, such as pink jeans, allows you to engage with the trend without fully surrendering to it. Ground the look with a grey T-shirt and a brown woven bag. And to ensure your look does not feel too staid, introduce playful elements like a seashell necklace.

Buck Mason

Graphite Pima Boxy Crew

Banana Republic Boyfriend Cashmere Cardigan

H & M

Wide High Jeans

Dragon Diffusion

Vintage Mesh Tote

Éliou Coral Necklace

Minimal Approach, Maximum Impact

An all-black ensemble with touches of white is an easy yet elevated spring-to-summer formula. Swap traditional trousers for a linen pant with open vents, which allows for maximum movement and elongation, especially when paired with a wedge. Drop pearl earrings bring a level of polish to what is otherwise a more relaxed, party-ready look.

Miu Miu

Oversized D-Frame Sunglasses

Frame

The Rib Splay Top

Zara

Vented Linen Pants

Jude

Yaga Leather Wedge Sandals

Lele Sadoughi Pearl Drop Earrings

Play with Shapes

Balloon pants floated into popularity last year after they were given the Alaïa stamp of approval. If you’ve been hesitant to try them, now feels like the moment, as they’ve proven to become more of a mainstay than just a flash-in-the-pan trend. Pair them with a polo cardigan worn on its own, and layer a voluminous utility jacket on top, to echo the proportions below. Add a pointed flat in a neutral tone, then lean into the cooler palette with blue stone jewelry, such as a strand of lapis beads.

Tory Burch Silk Polo Cardigan

& Other Stories

Utility Barrel-Leg Trousers

Massimo Dutti Puff Parka

Manolo Blahnik

BB Suede Ballet Flats

Mateo

14K Gold Lapis Lazuli Necklace

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