Where Now, Wear Later – Colorful Cardigan
Happy Monday, ladies. Having pieces in your wardrobe that span the seasons saves time, money, and space on the closet pole. Having a more edited wardrobe also makes it easier to get dressed each day, which is always a plus. Today, I’m styling a colorful cardigan you can wear now and wear later.
A simple column of white jeans and a white cotton tank top is a great neutral base and couldn’t be simpler for a casual summer day.Ā I added a tan crossbody, tan leather slides, and tied a colorful scarf onto the bag for a pop of pattern. It’s usually uncomfortable to wear a scarf around my neck in the summer, so I love to tie them on my bag or through my belt loops.
I topped it with a Nic+Zoe’s 4-way linen-blend cardigan. I love these for simple arm coverage and they’re just enough when you encounter a heavily airconditioned building.
They have a button at the bottom of each side seam so you can close it with a crossover, button the sides back onto themselves, tie around your waist or simply let drape open.
When it cools off you can still get yardage out of a lightweight sweater by wearing it over darker colors.
The black jeans and tank are a similar weight fabric as the white, but the whole look appears heavier and more appropriate for fall because of the dark color.
I switched to dark sunglasses, a darker crossbody and tied a large silk square around my neck for that pop pf pattern. My lipstick needed more pop for the dark top and jeans so I deepened it to the “Mulberry”.
The dark column of color called for dark shoes and suede is darker than leather so I pulled out my Sam Edelmans. I have these ballet flats in multiple colors. I always have a pair in my carry-on luggage because they’re soft, pack totally flat, and are easy to slip tired feet into.
This same look works with any dark column of color like navy, brown, charcoal, etc. It’s a great way to dress for the fall when you want to shed the summer colors but your weather still says summer.
Do you have pieces that you work for multiple seasons?
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
This is why I always have a dark pair of sandals. They can be worn into fall, and some years give us our hottest days in September. The leaves turn yellow quickly here, but summer weight clothes and sandals seems weather appropriate.
Gorgeous colour! However; would I wear it ‘no’ as with the exception of those along the line of outerwear bottom weight, I just don’t lean towards cardigan sweaters as actually feel ‘frumpy’ in them.
With no intention to offend those who love them. -Brenda-
No offense taken, Brenda. We all have different tastes and have to listen to our instincts:)
Enjoyed this post! Amazingly versatile and flattering cardigan! Wondering if you are wearing a regular or petite? I usually wear a 1X petite in Talbots tops and not sure about sizing.
I am wearing a regular in the medium. It’s already short so the petite might be too short for my long torso.
I discovered this blog last fall and love it!
I have purchased many items that have been showcased. I appreciate all the tips, advice and postings!
I’m glad you found me
You make an excellent example today with your pink sweater dark /pants. I don’t know why I revert to muted colors during cooler weather. No more blah earth tones this winter for me.
I appreciate your blog and you can post as many pictures of an outfit as you like! Different shots show how the fabric looks from all angles and the importance of good fitting clothes.
I love both looks. The first one with white, tan and rose will carry you through Labor Day. The second loom fills the awkward “in between” weeks between Labor Day and cooler weather. The weeks when the temps are still warm but summer clothes look so tired are a challenge for me. Your post gave me an idea with a similar cotton cardigan in a mid range blue, which I can wear with white now and navy later. Thanks!
Love the cardigan and all the shots of it. I appreciate how much you put in to it. Thank you š
Thanks Lin
Column dressing and the magic of that third piece just makes life so much easier. You spiced up your look with choice accessories and in a snap weāre out the door. I love every bit of that concept and find myself drawn to that style over and over. I feel put together, I can move about easily and isnāt that what we all want.
Youāre looking so healthy and simply gorgeous as ever Jennifer!
Thank you, Jan. Feeling put together is easier with that magical third piece
Jennifer, what size are you wearing with the cardigan? Will it shrink? It looks fabulous on you both ways you styled it.
I’m wearing a medium. I never put mine in the dryer so I haven’t had a problem with shrinkage.
I am totally over THIS summer, that’s certain. High heat, Humidity, rain,and insects that chew have ruined my veggies (thankfully not my herbs yet) and earwigs have chomped my flowers,; their icky eggs are everywhere. I cannot tolerate these things …..insects destruction and heat and humidity. Ugh. Give me cool weather. Thank you!
You look wonderful in this shade of pink! I think I’m over my rant…..
LOL, I am over the 100+ temperatures for sure!
I love that cardigan! Great way to make different outfits. Pretty color too.
I love your blog and you look fantastic. I have very few places to shop other than Jjill, Talbots, and Chicos. I appreciate seeing a ārealā woman in the dressing room. I also like how you show multiple pictures so avid followers can get a sense of what the piece looks like sitting, standing, etc. I would even appreciate a side and back view. My style/color consultant says women should see the clothing they are going to purchase from several viewpoints. Thank you for your thoroughness. I love that sweater. My Nic snd Zoe is several years old, pre button era. What a great idea. Unfortunately none of my colors are represented in this grouping or I would buy another one. Keep up the great work for us followers. I am enjoying your weekly videos, too.
Different stores carry different colors each season. Sadly I missed the peacock blue so Iām hoping it will come back around.
As always these bright colors look wonderful on you! Love the column look, so classy and polished.
Thank you Jennifer for the post, l love the look and that pink looks fantastic on you. Happy week š
Have a great week!
Eve, here is Jenniferās description of the 4 ways: āThey have a button at the bottom of each side seam so you can close it with a crossover, button the sides back onto themselves, tie around your waist or simply let drape open.ā
Thanks Marcie. I should have thought to show that way but I never wear it that way.
I love the many ways but I only see three. Cross over. Open and tied in front. It says 4 ways on their web site too. Yes. Thatās being picky but I just thought I must have missed something.
You look so good in the lighter versions especially.
I did not show the sides pinned back which just makes the front straight.
The two open versions look different, I am guessing because the first uses the “button the sides back onto themselves”
Can you describe how to tuck in the 4-way cardigan so it looks like a cross-over? Do you simply tuck the long ends into the trousers around the backside? Thanks!
There are buttons on the side seams to attach the ends.
I love your blog and read it daily. In recent months I have seen on your blog and other fashion blogs the tendency to put multiple pictures of the same outfit in different poses. For some reason I find this annoying and really wonder what the purpose is. Perhaps there is a certain length blogs need to be…. not sure, but the repetition seems unnecessary and adds nothing to the understanding of the good fashion principles you are discussing.
If this annoys you, don’t read it! Wow, how rude.
Move onā¦ we donāt need or want rude comments from people like you. Jennifer does a wonderful job with her blog. Go watch someone else.
The purpose is to show different views of the same outfit. And after all, if I have good photos, why not show them? It also provides more images for Pinterest
Those of us who are 3 dimensional really appreciate the different views.
Love this post, Jennifer, and I hope you’ll do more like this! I wear many of my cardigans across multiple seasons. It’s refreshing to see more fall-like color combos to look forward to.
I am totally over summer and itās only July š
I love Eileen Fisher cardigans for this very reason. And, column dressing is my go-to. It’s easy but always looks polished.