How to Wear a Dress with a Cardigan?

Being fashionable is not difficult. A cardigan is not only an outerwear to keep you warm in late autumn or early spring, but also a fashion item that compliments your elegant outfits. When it comes to cardigans, many classic combinations can be mentioned, such as cardigans with jeans, with shirts, and of course, the combination with dresses should not be forgotten.

However, just like the combination of all other fashion items, the combination of cardigans and dresses also needs to follow certain principles, otherwise the effect will be difficult to be satisfactory. So in the blog today, we are going to introduce several tips for your choice as well as combination of a dress and a cardigan.

How to Choose a Right Cardigan for Your Dress?

Choosing a cardigan to match a dress will limit your choices more. For example, you need to consider whether the color combination is harmonious, whether the material is conducive to creating a sense of layering, etc.

First, considering the color combination, we recommend the following options:

👗If your dress is in neutral colors, then choose a cardigan in a bright color. Neutral colors such as black, white, and brown are the most versatile, which means that no matter what color cardigan you pair your dress with, the colors will not be out of place. To match with the spring vibe, a cardigan in bright and warm tones like light green, yellow, and pink would be a great choice.

👗If your dress itself is in a bright color, then on the contrary, choose a cardigan which is in a more modest color. Especially when there are plenty of decorations on the dress. It’s impossible for every piece to be the main character of an outfit. If you decide to make the dress the main character, the cardigan can’t be as colorful and decorated. Then a white, black or grey one might be better choice for your ruffled and bow tie necked dress.

Another factor that is highly correlated with wearing comfort is the fabric of the cardigan. The most commonly seen fabrics for cardigans include wool and knit. Wool has better thermal insulation properties, but is relatively expensive and difficult to care for. Knit cardigans have good elasticity and are more conducive to creating a unique and fashionable image.

In addition, the length of the cardigan should also be taken into consideration. Long cardigans that reach down to your calves will add an elegant and graceful touch to your look. However, it is not recommended for petite ladies to choose such long cardigans, as they will make you look even more petite. A medium-length cardigan is a good choice for most people, as it covers the hips and abdomen and is more tolerant of different figure types. At the same time, it will not make the wearer look shorter.

How to Create Different Styles with a Dress and a Cardigan?

The image of a dress with a cardigan is actually very general. Because dresses and cardigans of different colors, patterns and fabrics can be combined to create completely different styles, and even the same dress with different cardigans can have countless possibilities. So in this section, we will introduce several different styles for your reference.

👗Sweet style. The pattern, style and decorative elements of clothing will all affect the formation of its style. For example, if you prefer the sweet style, then puff sleeve dresses and tutu skirts probably make up a very large part of your wardrobe. However, since puff sleeves will look bulky when worn under a cardigan, you can work on the pattern of the dress, such as choosing a floral dress. In addition, a cardigan with lace or ruffles can also make you look sweeter.

👗Simple style. To create a simple style don't overdo it with too many decorative elements on either your dress or your cardigan. The combination of a solid color column dress and a basic knitted cardigan is perfect. This outfit is suitable for both commuting and daily wear.

👗Retro style. For the loyal fans of retro style, you can choose a dress made of corduroy or with polka dots. Thick colors such as dark green and wine red will also remind people of the prosperity of the 1980s and 1990s. You may want to try matching an orange knitted cardigan with a red polka dot dress. The combination of these two highly saturated colors may not conform to the principle of color matching, but it can add points to your retro look.

👗Mint Mambo style. Do you know what Mint Mambo style is? It combines green with natural colors to create a fresh and natural style. If you want to try this style, you might as well choose a mint green acetate or silk dress. These two fabrics will make your look very luxurious, and the mint green will make you as energetic as the spring breeze. Paired with a white or beige cardigan, a mint mambo look is effortlessly completed.

Accessories That Can Compliment Your Outfits

No matter what style you would like to create, the combination of just a dress and a cardigan is bound to be monotonous and boring. Therefore, we also need more accessories to decorate and complement our overall look.

Whether for sweet style or retro style, a beret is a must-have. Berets are not only with the sweet temperament of girls, but also one of the representatives of the retro style. If you are going to a beach for vacation, then a wide-brim straw hat is also a good choice you can consider for creating the relaxed sense.

To complete an elegant outfit, you can certainly choose a pair of high-heels, and it is also one of the best choices for the formal or grand occasions. However, for daily wear, a pair of high heels is undoubtedly a torture for your feet. So on casual occasions, just choose a pair of flat Mary-Jane shoes. In winter, you can wear a pair of short ankle boots to pair with your outfit.

As for jewelry, choose a delicate necklace if your dress is V-neck. To modify your face shape, you can choose a pair of long earrings. If you have chosen the dress and cardigan of the retro style, then you can wear a polka dots hairband on the head.

For the combination of a dress and cardigan on a formal occasion, a sophisticated clutch is a great choice. The colors can be classic black, white, brown, etc., which can show an elegant temperament. For the demand of commuting, a tote will not reduce your elegance.

If your dress is loose, you can wear a belt over it. A belt is very useful for highlighting your waistline and showing off your beautiful figure proportions. Thin belts are suitable for sweet or simple styles, while thick belts are more unique and suitable for matching with some well-designed dresses and cardigans.

In the end, do not forget a scarf. A silk scarf can add a flowing and graceful beauty to your outfit in spring or autumn. In winter, you can pair your dress and cardigan with a thicker scarf to add highlights to the overall look and provide you with extra warmth.

Tips for Makeup

In addition to being in line with the requirements of the occasion, women's makeup also needs to be compatible with the overall style of their outfits.

For the sweet style, abandon your eyeshadow and lipsticks in dark tones. To look sweeter and cuter, the focus of your makeup should be on a fair and clean base rather than heavy eye and lip makeup. Moisturize your skin before wearing makeup, apply an appropriate amount of lotion to make your skin look moisturized. You can choose pink, bean paste, rose red, etc. for eye shadow, lipstick and blush.

Lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush of dark shades that aren't used in a sweet style can be used to create a retro look. Thick colors are the symbol of a retro-styled look, whether it’s clothing or makeup. Brown tones can be used both in eye shadow and lipstick. The eyeliner could be drawn thicker and longer, and the tail of the eye could be raised to create a gorgeous effect.

As for the simple style, there are fewer demands for heavy makeup. You only need to choose a foundation that is close to your skin tone and can cover up blemishes. Earth tones can be mainly used for eye makeup, with light brown eyeshadow as the base, and then dark brown eyeshadow gently deepening the color at the end of eyes. Lipsticks of bean paste color or nude color are both acceptable to create your modest and elegant temperament.

If you would like to try the Mint Mambo style mentioned above, you can try to use the green eyeshadow to pair with the green dress. But this is really challenging. Few people can grasp this uncommon kind of eye makeup. But if you have excellent makeup skills, or are very confident in yourself and want to challenge yourself, you can try it.