When the autumn breeze cools down, the most indispensable item in the wardrobe must be a women’s cardigan sweater. It can not only be used as a coat to resist the slight coolness, but also as an inner layer to add layers, whether it is commuting, dating or at home, it can be easily held. But in the face of a variety of knitted cardigans on the market, choose a short or mid-length model? How to distinguish between pure wool and cashmere? Today’s guide, from basic styles to dressing skills, will help you understand it at once and buy the one that suits you best.
1. Pre-order the style: find your body shape “exclusive”
The first step in choosing a cardigan is never to look at the color, but to choose the right style. The version and length corresponding to different body shapes are very different, and if you choose the right one, you may become a “bloated star” in seconds. I used to help a 158cm colleague choose a cardigan, and at first she followed the trend and bought a long model over the knee, but the whole person looked short and dragged, and after changing to a short one, it immediately became a lot neat.
Body characteristics | Recommended style | Lightning protection reminder |
|---|---|---|
Small (under 160cm) | Short cardigans and crewneck cardigans are best 5cm above the waistline | Avoid mid-length models that are over the knee, which are easy to weigh on the height |
Slightly chubby/apple type | Loose fit, V-neck cardigan, flattering the neck line | Refusing tight models will expose abdominal fat |
Tall and slender (170cm or more) | Mid-length cardigans and lapel cardigans highlight the advantages of the figure | There are no obvious minefields, so you can boldly try various styles |
Pear-shaped body (wide at the bottom and narrow at the top) | Slim fit short for added weight to the upper body | Avoid mid-length models with loose hems, which are easy to show off the width of the hips |
2. Look at the material: both warmth and durability must be taken into account
The material directly determines the warmth, comfort and service life of the cardigan. Many people can’t tell the difference between a pure wool cardigan and a cashmere cardigan, and always think that expensive is good, but in fact, it is wisest to choose the material according to the usage scenario. For example, for daily commuting, cotton-blend cardigans are the most cost-effective; If it’s a cold winter to keep warm, a thickened warm cardigan is more practical.
High-end material recommendation
- Cashmere cardigan: soft to the touch like a cloud, the warmth is twice that of wool, but the weight is lighter, suitable for people with a sufficient budget, the disadvantage is that the price is higher, need to be washed by hand and maintained.
- Pure wool cardigan: good warmth, cost-effective than cashmere, look at the wool content when purchasing, 100% pure wool will have slight hair loss, which is a normal phenomenon.
Cost-effective material
- Cotton blend cardigan: After adding cotton material, it has better breathability, is not easy to pilling, and is machine washable without any problem, suitable for daily high-frequency wear.
- Heating fiber: a new functional material with its own heat storage effect, warmer than ordinary knitting, suitable for autumn and winter priming or wear.
Practical tips: To judge whether it is high-quality yarn, you can gently pull the cardigan, and it is a good material that can quickly bounce back after letting go; If there are obvious signs of pilling on the surface, the yarn is of poor quality. When purchasing, give preference to products with anti-pilling yarn or high-count combed cotton logo.
3. Matching style: One cardigan holds all the scenes
The style of cardigan is very changeable, and choosing the right style can make your outfit twice the result with half the effort. The working mother next to me always has a commuter OL cardigan, wearing suit pants to work, and changing into jeans for casual after get off work.
1. Commuter OL style: The first choice is a slim-cut lapel cardigan, the color is a classic black and gray cardigan or cream white cardigan, with suit pants, simple and professional, and can also cope with the air-conditioned room of the office.
2. Preppy style: A diamond-shaped plaid college pattern or striped contrasting cardigan is standard, paired with a pleated skirt and canvas shoes, it is full of youth, and the cropped cardigan is more lively.
3. Gentle Korean style: Oatmeal knitted or Morandi loose-fitting cardigan, paired with a dress, plus pearl buckle decoration details, the gentleness is directly full.
4. Lazy style at home: Choose a loose fit with dropped shoulder sleeves, and give priority to cotton blend or sustainable environmentally friendly yarn, which is breathable and comfortable, and you can watch dramas and do housework at home.
5. Resort style: Light and breathable knitted cardigans are very suitable as beach cover-ups, choose macaron bright colors or gradient blended cardigans, especially for photos.
4. Details plus: These designs make the cardigan more textured
Many people ignore the details of the cardigan, but it is these small designs that determine the texture and practicality of the cardigan. For example, I bought a cardigan with pockets before, which is particularly convenient to put my phone and keys when I go out, and the practicality is instantly improved.
- Button design: The pearl buckle decoration is suitable for gentle wind, the metallic buttons are more capable, and the design of the hidden placket is more simple as a whole, suitable for minimalist Nordic style.
- Craft details: The cardigan with double-sided jacquard process can be worn on both the front and back, and the cost performance is super high; The seamless integrated weave has no terminals, making it more comfortable to wear and more durable.
- Practical design: Ribbed hemming can prevent the cardigan from deforming, and the zipper cardigan is more convenient to put on and take off than the button model, suitable for commuters in a hurry; The adjustable sleeve length is more friendly to people with different arm lengths.
5. Dressing magic: Unlock N ways to wear cardigans
Cardigans are extremely malleable, and a cardigan can be worn in a variety of styles, learn these matching techniques to double your wardrobe utilization.
- Layering: Cardigan + shirt layering is a classic combination of autumn and winter, the neckline and cuffs of the shirt are exposed, full of layering; You can also try a cardigan + suit, which is warm and fashionable, suitable for the season of large temperature difference between morning and evening.
- Bottoms matching: cardigan + sundress is gentle and romantic, suitable for dating; cardigan + high-waisted jeans are casual and casual, and they look great on the street every day; cardigan + skirt can create French elegance.
- Creative wearing: use the cardigan as a shawl and put it on your shoulders to instantly enhance your aura; Use a belt to wear it, tuck the loose cardigan out of the waistline, look thin and tall, suitable for chubby people.
6. Size tolerance: There is a suitable cardigan for every body shape
A good cardigan should be inclusive of all body shapes, whether it is a small person, a plus-size girl or a pregnant woman, you can find your own style. Nowadays, many brands have launched cardigans with the size S-5XL to meet the needs of different groups of people.
For example, a cardigan with a friendly length for small people is generally between 50-55cm, just to the thinnest position of the buttocks; The plus-size women’s cardigan will be made of elastic knitted material with good tolerance and will not be tight on the body; Pregnant women can use loose cardigans, and special cuts will be made at the abdomen to take into account comfort and beauty. If you have special requirements for your size, you can also choose a merchant that provides custom sizing services to make the cardigan fit better.
7. Yigu’s purchasing perspective: When choosing a cardigan, you should keep an eye on these 3 points
As a Sourcing Agent who has been deeply involved in clothing procurement for many years, I will start from the three dimensions of “user demand, quality control, and cost performance” when choosing cardigans. First of all, looking at market demand, cardigans made of sustainable and environmentally friendly yarns are particularly popular recently, which is in line with the current environmental protection trend; The second is quality, check the yarn density and craftsmanship, and the cardigan with manual crochet splicing should ensure that the splicing is flat and there is no thread; Finally, there is the price, such as the purchase price of cotton blended cardigans is between 50-80 yuan, and the retail price of about 150 yuan is a reasonable range. It is recommended that when buying a cardigan, don’t just look at the Internet celebrity model, pay attention to the material logo and craftsmanship details are the key.
8. FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cardigans
Q1: What should I do if the cardigan pills? A1: First, choose a cardigan with anti-pilling yarn to reduce pilling from the source; If it has already pilled, trim it gently with a hairball trimmer, being careful not to pull too hard.
Q2: How to maintain a pure wool cardigan? A2: It is recommended to wash by hand, use neutral laundry detergent, the water temperature does not exceed 30°C, and lay it flat to dry after washing to avoid exposure to the sun and hanging to prevent deformation.
Q3: What color cardigan is suitable for plus-size girls? A3: You can give preference to classic black and gray cardigan or oatmeal knitting, which is slim and versatile; You can also try Morandi colors, which are gentle and not picky.
Q4: How to choose the length of the cardigan? A4: Follow the principle of “short at the top and long at the bottom”, choose short models for small people and long models for tall people; If the bottoms are wide-leg pants, the length of the cardigan is recommended to be above the knee to avoid pressing the height.
Conclusion: A cardigan that warms you throughout autumn and winter
The women’s cardigan sweater is never a single clothing item, it is a “universal player” in outfits. From style to material, from style to matching, as long as you choose according to your body shape, needs and scene, you can find the one that suits you best. I hope this guide can help you unlock more possibilities for cardigans and wear them warm and fashionable this fall and winter.