What To Wear Under A Cardigan
- Fashion
- May 13, 2024
Now that it’s Spring, we can put away the winter coats and bring out our cardigans. For the days that it is chilly, a cardigan will keep you warm and complete your outfit. The cardigan is a timeless and classic essential wardrobe piece that styled correctly, can add that cool factor to your outfit. In the right material- a cardigan can be worn almost year round.
It transcends time and trends and by adding accessories, you can update this conservative piece making it a statement for any season. There are plenty of outfits you can build even if you only have a few cardigans. You can mix and match with many other items to create a beautiful outfit. Today we are sharing a round-up of items that you can wear under a cardigan and offer outfit inspiration too.
What To Wear Under A Cardigan
Often we treat a cardigan like the third piece of an outfit. The current cardigan profile is a cropped and collarless look. We’ve included this look, however, we have included other profiles that we either wear or would want to. The over-sized boyfriend cardigan from the quiet luxury trend, the classic stripe, the signature cotton fisherman knit are a few that we are including. But first of all, let’s see what to wear under a cardigan.
Camisoles
One of the easiest items to wear under a Cardigan is a Camisole. The thin straps and material of a cami are ideal for an elevated look.
Vince Satin Camisole
The Vince Satin Camisole is a classic shape and material. It is a bit high in price, however, you will wear this time and time again. Bev has one in ivory and wears it on repeat. Click on the above photo for more information.
Ted Baker Andreno Strappy Camisole
The Andreno Strappy Camisole is another classic white camisole that can elevate any cardigan. The bonus is the adjustable straps and this one is on sale. Click on the above photo for more information.
Eileen Fisher Crinkle Silk Camisole
The Crinkle Silk Camisole has the added detail of the pleating of the silk. This cami also has adjustable straps and we all know the incredible quality of any Eileen Fisher item. Click on the above photo for more information.
Zadig & Voltaire Calixia Tomboy Lace Trim Camisole
The Calixia Camisole is so unique. We know it’s a bit spendy, but we couldn’t resist. It would look great under an oversized cardigan for an edgy casual look. Click on the above photo for more information.
Tanks
We added this category as tanks have thicker straps and are bra friendly. We love the satin and cashmere tanks- they can elevate the look and really pull it together. A lightweight cashmere tank is perfect to wear year round.
Club Monaco Silk Charmeuse Tank
The Silk Charmeuse Tank in this great blue color would look so good with some of the blue and white striped cardigans you will find at the bottom of this post. Pair with a pair of white jeans and white sneakers or tan sandals and you can go anywhere. Click on the above photo for more information.
Banana Republic Sublime Silk Tank
The Sublime Silk Tank is a closet essential, is bra friendly and comes in 5 color selections. The price point is a value and is 100% silk. Click on the above photo for more information.
Club Monaco Cashmere V-Neck Tank
The Cashmere V-Neck Tank is the year round tank that we just had to share with you. It comes in three color collections. Click on the above photo for more information.
Aqua Pointelle Trim V-Neck Tank Top
The knit on this Pointelle Trim Tank is great for spring and summer. Pair this with any cardigan that is out of a chunky cotton knit. Click on the above photo for more information.
Tops | Shells
Bella Dahl Ruffle Neck Sleeveless Top
The Ruffle Neck Top is another classic with a twist. The gathered ruffle at the neck would work with any neckline on the cardigan. Click on the above photo for more information.
J.Crew Sweater Shell
This Sweater Shell pairs with J. Crew’s traditional button front cardigan and their sweater tube skirt for a monochromatic look. Click on the above photo for more information.
Varley Shelby Sleeveless Performance Top
The Shelby Sleeveless Top is the perfect top for golf or pickleball or tennis. Throw on a cardigan and you can go run errands and look put together. Click on the above photo for more information.
Athleta Monmentum Seamless Polo Tee
The Momentum Polo Tee is another sport polo that we would style with the Athleta Advantage Sweater and the Athleta Fairway High Rise Golf 18 Skort for a put together golf outfit. Golf and athleta clothing brands often have stylish sport cardigans. Bev has last year’s version of the Athleta Sweater-it’s stylish and functional. Click on the above photo for more information.
Click here for our post on styling cardigans
Dress | Jumpsuit
A dress or jumpsuit with a cardigan over it, is a stylish outfit idea. We have seen the sweater over the slip dress that can be worn year round. Adding a cardigan completes the look.
Slip Dress
The slip dress looks great with a cropped cardigan over it. We have featured one by Aritzia– that comes in many color selections, one by Vince– that comes in two color selections and one by Ted Baker in a beautiful floral print. Bev has the one by Aritzia and has worn it in early Fall with a thick sweater and Spring and Summer with a white jacket- proving how versatile this look can be. Click on any photo above for more information.
Linen Shift Dress
The Tommy Bahama Two Palms Dress and the J.Crew Maxine Dress are classic linen shifts. We would style the Two Palms dress with this Evereve Mia Cardigan that is a v-neck, cropped sweater with an open weave pattern or the J McLaughlin Tia Cardigan. We would style the Maxine Dress with the Short Sleeve Crochet Cardigan by Boden in the Gingerbread Brown Shade. Click on any photo above for more information.
Jumpsuit
The Spanx AirEssentials Strapless Jumpsuit would look so elevated with the J.Crew Crochet Cropped Cardigan. For a more casual look, the Spanx Sleeveless Jumpsuit paired with the Quince Mongolian Fisherman Cropped Cardigan in heather gray or the Athleta Advantage Sweater in White would make a great travel outfit. Click on the above photo for more information.
Cardigan Outfit Inspo With Striped Cardigans
We have grouped the striped cardigans we found and styled them with a pair of white pants and a tank or camisole. By switching the accessories, you can style this from a casual look to an elevated one. Below we have selections in each category- just click on a photo below for more information.
Striped Cardigans
Tanks | Camisoles
Accessories
Cardigan Outfit Inspo With Dresses
Cardigans To Style With Dresses | Jumpsuits
For the Summer and Spring, open weave or crocheted cardigans look best with a slip style dress or a sleeveless dress. Coordinating the neckline of the dress with the cardigan is important. A cardigan with a round neckline typically will compliment any scoop or tank neckline. We included two Jumpsuits in this grouping. Click on any photo above or below for more information.
Dresses | Jumpsuits
Accessories
Cardigan Outfit Inspo For Golf
A cardigan is the perfect sweater profile to toss on for golf if it’s a bit chilly or for after. It’s been a classic look for the sport for a long time.
Cardigans For Sports
Sports Attire
We love to hear from you- if you found something here or have any questions, please comment below.
Thanks, Bev and Val
Recent Posts You Might Enjoy
Ten Casual Clothes For Women Over 50
How To Create A Beautiful Spring Tablescape
Photos by Shannon Leigh Photography
In the spirit of full disclosure, this site contains affiliate links, which means that we may get a commission if you decide to purchase anything from suggested companies. We only recommend products and companies that we use and love.