The 3 Cardigan Trends I’m Wearing All Winter Long

I’m a bit of a fashion nerd, which is why I know that the modern cardigan was popularized by Gabrielle Chanel because she did not like the way that traditional pullover sweaters messed up her hair. And thank God because, same here! Women in S.T.E.M., am I right?

Because I also tend to be very motivated by not messing up my own hair, I’ve been a fan of cardigans forever. (No one can ever insult me by saying that I’m dressed like a librarian because I think librarians are the coolest people in the world—and I used to want to be one.)

The cardigan trends in my closet represent a large range. I have oversized ones, which serve as blankets on days when I want to dramatically wrap them around myself and stare out of the window. (I live in Wisconsin and it’s freezing here, so this is really a more common occurrence than you would think.) There are also cropped varieties that I like to layer and mix with low-rise denim, and statement alternatives defined by bold colors and patterns. Scroll on to discover how I style each category.

Cropped Cardigans

(Image credit: Danielle Prescod)

My first outfit features a cardigan of the cropped variety. I have had this one for at least thirteen years. I got it off Yoox, which might be aging me, but they had great deals back then. I paired it with a low-rise skirt from Abercrombie, which is super long and very dramatic. I wanted to keep the color palette neutral because to me, this outfit is more about playing with proportions. Anchored in my witchy wedges, this look can rise to any classy occasion.

Oversized Cardigans

(Image credit: Danielle Prescod)

My second outfit offers a twist on the standard cardigan style. Characterized by a single button at the neck and bell sleeves, it stands apart from the rest. I styled this piece with a fit-and-flare mini skirt, which nicely compliments the cardigan’s billowing sleeves. For finishing touches, I added a pair of bordeaux red knee-high boots and a structured tote bag.

While I am wearing a T-shirt here, I would also consider layering this look with a black or white turtleneck.

Statement Cardigans

(Image credit: Danielle Prescod)

For my final outfit, I wanted to lean into dopamine dressing. Decorated with vibrant shades, this vintage Missoni cardigan evokes happy thoughts of coastal Italian holidays. I’ve worn this piece over tennis dresses and denim shorts during the summer months, but because it’s January, I’ve styled it with baggy jeans and brown suede kitten heels.