Style Essentials: Our Top Ten Comfortable And Stylish Cardigans - Stylehive

If you were to send me off to a desert island and only allowed me to bring 5 pieces of clothing, one of those items would definitely be a cardigan. At any given moment you can find me wearing a cardigan while eating brunch with friends, running errands around town, or even going out dancing. It's one of the most versatile pieces of clothing a person can have! It's great in wintertime for some serious cold weather layering and can take the place of a light jacket in the warmer months. There are lots of cardigan styles out there and while all of them would look good with jeans and a t-shirt (then again, what doesn't look good with jeans?), some don't look quite right paired with a dress. I know I'm not alone in loving cardigans. As the press is going wild over Michelle Obama and her clothing choices, one of her style signatures is a cardigan. Whether she's wearing one over a sheath dress or slacks, she always manages to look fabulous. What's her secret? It's all about the proportions and how clothing falls on the curves of your body. That means you should always buy something that fits you and not the mannequin! Keep reading for a taste of our top 10 cardigan styles and how to wear them.

1. A classic cardigan is something you can find almost anywhere. I like to wear tank tops or t-shirts underneath with a flared skirt for a bit of shape.
2. Cropped cardigans (and cropped clothing in general) usually worry me because I never know what to wear them with! I think they work best when paired with shirts and dresses with empire waistlines.
3. Boyfriend/grandpa cardigans are my number one favorite style! They usually have pockets so they're great as a lightweight jacket on warm days and the slouchy shape is super comfortable.
4. Speaking of slouchy, drape front cardigans are just what the doctor ordered! Offset the loose draping with a structured shirt and trousers for a day at the office.
5. Sometimes cardigans have the problem of being shapeless. You can solve that problem with a belted cardigan that accentuates your waist.
6. There can be some days where you just want to wear your robe all day, but you can't. Next time you feel that way, wear a wrap cardigan! The longer front ends can be wrapped around you like your favorite robe or blanket.
7. Ruffles are the go-to detail whenever you want to add feminine flair to your outfit. Try wearing a ruffled cardigan with your ripped jeans or tough leather boots to show off your girly side.
8. A long cardigan that goes past your hips to about mid-thigh can be another tricky one to style. The safest bet would be to leave all the buttons unbuttoned, roll up the sleeves, and wear it with skinny pants.
9. A sweater vest isn't necessarily what you would call a cardigan, but it's pretty much the same shape and style without sleeves! This style is great for those upcoming summer days.
10. Don't forget about those unexpected shapes. I found a crochet detailed cardigan/poncho hybrid that definitely isn't your grandmother's!