How to Wear a Long Cardigan (+ 20 Outfit Ideas!)
I love a good cardigan! They’re probably my most-worn third piece out of every third piece. I wear cardigans year-round, and they are especially wonderful for the office when the A/C is on full blast in the summer months. Of course, the chunkier versions are amazing in the winter. Because I’m borderline petite, I tend to wear cardigans that hit just below my hips, but I have a few longer cardigans I love to wear and those are featured in this post. I consider a cardigan that hits at mid-thigh or longer a “long cardigan”, and I personally don’t own a cardigan that hits at the knee or below because of my height. Never say never!
Below, I shared 20 outfit ideas featuring a long cardigan (in all seasons!) to inspire you next time you wear your long cardigan! These outfit ideas are especially helpful if you’re also petite and prefer long cardigans that hit above the knee. At the bottom of the post, there’s a shopping widget with a curated selection of long cardigans. Hit the heart next to your favorite items to receive a sale alert emailed directly to you.
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How to Wear a Long Cardigan: 20 Outfit Ideas
Long Cardigan + Denim
Can you wear a long cardigan with jeans?
Of course! Long cardigans go with anything your heart desires. You might find that thinner long cardigans “catch” more on the texture of denim; I tend to prefer thicker cardigans that have some weight to them so they can drape around the denim without bunching up and looking weird or getting caught in my legs when I walk. Cardigans can be worn with any style of denim. I’ve been wearing skinny jeans for years, so I have tons of outfits with cardigans and skinny jeans. I’ve also worn cardigans with boyfriend jeans and demi-boot jeans (see above)! The trick with wearing cardigans with jeans that have a wider leg is to wear a slim/fitted top.
Chunky Knit Cardigan
Do long cardigans make you look taller?
Long cardigans absolutely can make you look taller with the right styling! The longer the cardigan, the longer (taller) you will look. It will give the illusion of height. That may be one reason why you opt for a long cardigan that hits below the knee. You also might prefer a thinner cardigan if you want to look taller. I love my chunky knit cardigan, but chunky cardigans in general are not as lengthening as thinner cardigans. To look taller with a cardigan, wear a monochrome base under your long cardigan as well as shoes with height.
Athleisure + Work From Home in Leggings
Should cardigans be tight or loose?
I think this depends on the cardigan and the look you’re going for, but in general, a cardigan should fit loose so you are able to comfortably layer underneath. I have a variety of long cardigans, and they all have a similar loose fit in the body. More important I think is sleeve width. I tend to prefer cardigans that are also looser in the arms (again, so I can layer sleeved tops underneath), but I do own a couple of Barefoot Dreams cardigans that have slim arms that are not conducive to layering over tops with sleeves. Make sure to keep in mind sleeve width when purchasing your long cardigans!
Black and White Stripes
WHERE SHOULD A LONG CARDIGAN HIT?
As I touched on at the beginning of the post, a long cardigan should hit anywhere below your hip. A lot of longer cardigans hit below the knee (between the knee and ankle), but I am borderline petite at 5’4” so I prefer my cardigans to hit above the knee. If you’re also short, I recommend long cardigans that hit between your booty and your knees. Halfway down your thigh is the sweet spot; you get the long cardigan look without it drowning you.
Shades of Black and Grey
Can you wear a long cardigan if you are short?
Absolutely, and I hope this post gives you lots of outfit ideas as you browse your own closet! There’s not really an official definition of a long cardigan, and you might prefer cardigans that hit below the knee or cardigans that hit mid-thigh. I definitely prefer long cardigans that hit mid-thigh, though I’ve considered trying long cardigans that hit below the knee. I just haven’t ordered one yet! If you do prefer long cardigans that hit below the knee, the trick is to keep the rest of your outfit super streamlined and minimalist to let the cardigan shine.