Length:  First, think about the length.  A ladies long cardigan can fall anywhere from your hips to the top of your knees.  If you are a tall woman, you can get away with something that is a lot longer.  If you are a smaller or petite woman, I wouldn’t go too long unless  you are really skinny.  The length may look overwhelming.  If you’ve seen Mary-Kate or Ashley Olson, you’ve seen how the long cardigan can completely cover a person where only the face is peeking out and you can’t see their bodies.  Ladies – this look doesn’t flatter anyone.  Make sure that the long cardigan falls at a good place, otherwise it will look obvious that you are trying to cover up those hips or thighs.

Material:  This is important because the long cardigan sweater has to drape over your body.  Again, if you are pretty skinny, you can go ahead and buy a thinner material.  Thin cashmere, light wool, or just cotton will work in this case.  However, if you are a bit larger, then you should look for a materials that is firmer and falls better over the body.  Something flimsy will drape all over your body and reveal everything.  Something more solid will allow you to look fashionable and cover up a few of those flaws you are trying to hide.

Banana Republic Long Cardigan

Fit:  This is an important point.  Make sure the cardigan falls, but does not hug your body.  Unless you are a stick, hugging your body will reveal everything.  Buying something too big will make you look larger than you really are.  So, the key is to buy something that will button up easily, but still be a little bit fitted around your thighs and butt.  By doing that, you will find the most flattering cut.

Style:  There are many stylish cardigans these days.  However, for the long one, you want to go with something more conservative.  That’s because you will usually pair it with something flashier underneath.  Going for something with too many ruffles, what I call “bells and whistles” is probably a mistake.  Since the cashmere cardigan already covers up half of your body, you don’t want to add something extra to make it look like your entire body is covered with ruffles or sequins or whatever else.  Choose a solid neutral color and buy a long cardigan in that color.

1.     Style – What style cardigan are you looking for?  Do you want a long cardigan or a short cardigan?  If you want a trendy one, how trendy do you want to go?  Remember that if the item is too trendy, then you won’t be able to wear it next year and you may not want to spend too much money on it.  However, if the item is not that trendy and you are looking for something stylish, then you may not wear it and all of that money you spent on the cardigan will go to waste.

2.    Money – How much are you willing to spend?  There are countless choices and the prices range from $50 to more than $1000.  Cashmere is more expensive and a good cashmere cardigan will last you a while so consider your budget.  Normally, for around $200, you will find a great stylish cardigan that you can wear this year and into next year.

3.    Closet – Look through your closet and see what clothes you will match the cardigan with.  This will help you determine if you want one that is colorful or if you just want to buy a black cashmere cardigan that can go with everything.  Also, depending on your style, you will want to buy a cardigan that matches that style.  Don’t buy a short one if everything in your closet is longer and you don’t have many skirts or dresses.  Buy a long cardigan if you’ve got plenty of t-shirts, skinny jeans, and boots to match.

4.    Figure – Look at your figure and make sure you know what type of cardigan will look best on you.  For some people, the long cardigan looks great since it allows them to hide their larger thighs and waist.  For others, a short cardigan may look better since there are a lot of boxier short cardigans that allow them to balance out the skinny jeans and leggings they like to wear underneath.  Whatever your body type, make sure you understand what will look best on you.

After thinking through these things, check out some of the great new cardigans that I’ve found below.

Martin & Osa Long & Lean Cardigan
This is a great cardigan for those looking for something to wear every day.  It matches many items and is really flattering.

Martin + Osa Cardigan

Marc Jacobs Mildred Cashmere Cardigan
This beautiful white cardigan has fine details that make it stand out.  Plus, Marc Jacobs clothes always fall and flatter the body.

Marc Jacobs Cashmere Cardigan

Victoria Secret Silk & Cashmere Chiffon-Trim Long Cardigan
I love this cardigan!  It’s not pure cashmere, but it is so cute and looks great over jeans or any pants.

Victoria Secret Cardigan

Fuschia cashmere cardigan

Fuschia or pink cardigans

This is one of the latest new trends. Fuschia or the hot pink color is being seen everywhere. People are saying that it is partly because it is a bright, fun color. In this depressing economy with job losses and less income everywhere, fuschia is making a great splash. Even men are wearing this color and putting it in their outfits whether in the form of a tie or a handkerchief or in the design of their shirts. Having a fuschia cashmere cardigan is a great way to brighten up your wardrobe and to stay within the current trend.  If you think it is too bright, pair it with more neutral colors underneath to tone it down.  Jeans, black leggings, a white t-shirt, or black tank will all help to tone it done.  Another trick is to add a neutral scarf and not to wear it buttoned up, but to leave it unbuttoned.

Loose cardigan

Loose open cardigan from BCBG

Finally, another style that has hit the streets is the loose cardigan that is open in the front.  It doesn’t have any buttons, but instead drapes across the front of your chest in a very elegant and flattering way.  Women are wearing these to the office and to go out at night.  You can wear it tied to the back or draped in front.  Sometimes, some of the drapes are longer, although usually they drape shorter in the back.  This is a great style for anyone looking for an item that is not constricting and can be quickly thrown over their clothes.  It can be worn with lots of different outfits, although make sure the item you wear underneath is not bulky.  Even petite women can wear this, although if you are petite, don’t buy something that is too long.  Also, the loose fabric in front can be a lot of fabric or less fabric.  Look for something where there is less fabric in front, otherwise it can be overwhelming.

Ruffled, cap or kimono sleeves

Trendy cardigan with new style sleeves

Another trend is the different sleeves that are showing up on various cardigans. The sleeves are shorter and there are ruffles at the sleeves. Some are even kimono sleeves and fall out in a bell shape, similar to how jeans flare out. The sleeves flare out and drape the arms rather than hug the arms. These new trends make the cardigans a lot more comfortable since they free your arm movement. Also, for petite women, the shorter sleeves work perfectly since the cardigan sleeves are not too long and you won’t have to get them altered.

Black cashmere cardigan

Neutrals
Colors:  Black, grey, white
Versatility:  High

If you are looking for a cardigan that you can wear everywhere and wear over anything, then go with a neutral color.  Black, grey and white will match everything.  Out of the 3, black is probably the most versatile, although some would argue that white is just as easy to wear over everything.  I say black since it is more understated and also won’t get dirty as easily as a white cardigan.  The white cardigan is great over any summer or spring dresses or any bright color or patterned shirts, but it is also very bright.  Wearing the white cardigan makes you stand out a bit more.  Also, the white cardigan doesn’t work as well over a white t-shirt or the crisp white office shirt, so a black cashmere cardigan ends up being more versatile.  All 3 colors will easily match almost every outfit in your wardrobe since they are so neutral.  Buy one of these colors if you don’t have many cardigans and are looking for something to wear with everything.

Red cashmere cardigan from Burberry

Bold colors
Colors:  Red, Blue, Purple, Green
Versatility:  Medium

The bold color cardigans such as a green or red cashmere cardigan are fantastic for adding a splash of color to your wardrobe.  If you are a person that tends to wear a lot of neutral colors, adding one bold cardigan to your wardrobe is the perfect way to brighten it up without making it too colorful.  These cardigans work best over neutral colors and allow you to stand out a little from the crowd.  If you are trying to get noticed, wear a bold color cardigan such as a cute green cashmere cardigan and you will definitely catch someone’s eye.  The bold colors are great because they are not too splashy or trendy so you can wear this color to the office and out at night.   The drawback to the bold color cardigan is that it can’t be worn everyday or over everything.  The bright color leaves a statement in people’s minds and because of this, you probably can’t wear it to the office more than once a week.

Fuschia cardigan from Vince

Bright colors
Colors:  Fuschia, Orange, Yellow
Versatility:  Medium to Low

If you love to stand out in a crowd, consider a really bright color such as a fuschia cashmere cardigan or a bright yellow cashmere cardigan.  Bright colors are fantastic for people who want to get noticed and continue to get noticed.  The bright colors are harder to match with everything and you have to wear them carefully, but they too work over any neutral colors.  Use these colors to enhance an already colorful wardrobe or to enhance a neutral colored wardrobe.  One splash of this brightens the room and will really get you noticed.  Bright colors tend to be trendier than the bold colors so they tend not to last through many seasons, although you can still wear them if you are confident.  Unlike bold colors that are longer lasting, bright colors are a bit more obnoxious and people will either love that orange cardigan you have or completely hate it.  

Pink cashmere cardigan

Pastels
Colors:  Pink, Baby Blue, Lavender, Mint Green
Versatility:  Medium to High

Pastels are an excellent Spring color to wear.  The pink cashmere cardigan is very feminine and actually matches with a lot of different items, especially if you choose a very light pink that is closer to white.  Other pastel colors such as baby blue or lavender or great over the neutral colors and will also work with some bold colors.  Pastels are much closer to neutral than the bold colors, although they also make a very different statement from the neutral colors.  Pastels signify much more femininity.  Pastels are a much more subtle and understated color so it is less likely that you will get noticed right away, as opposed to a bold color, but the color is so pretty, you will definitely get noticed.

Short cardigan

Nordstrom green cashmere cardigan

Made famous in the 60’s with women wearing them over poodle skirts and tight jeans, the short cardigan is one of the longest lasting clothing items in history since it has outlasted countless trends.  It matches almost everything you wear, whether it is a short skirt or trousers.  You can dress it up or dress it down.  The key to a short cardigan is to make sure it falls at the right place on your body.  Ideally, you want it to fall right at the top of your waist.  These days, since many pants and jeans are more low waisted, you should make sure that the short cardigan is still long enough to hit at the top of those low waisted pants.  You definitely do not want it falling higher than the waist.  Nor, do you want it to hit below the waist, hiding your waist line.   No matter if you are short or tall, skinny or slightly chubbier, the short cardigan will work for you.  Choose a short cardigan in a bright color like red or green to compliment your wardrobe.  Or, buy one in a conservative color like black or grey to blend in.

Long cardigan

Vince cashmere cardigan

The longer trend has resurfaced in the past few years and is here to stay.  From Gap to Neiman Marcus, you see the long cashmere cardigan being sold all over the place.  The key to the long cardigan is to style it with the right clothes.  Wear these over tight jeans or just tights.  Wear them over a short dress, but make sure they fall straight and are not too short compared to the dress.  The key to a long cardigan is where it hits on your body and how it falls.  If you are buying a tighter style, you want that cardigan to fall a little tighter down to the middle of your thighs.  Basically, the entire fit will be more narrow and body hugging.  On the reverse, if it is a more looser style, then it will be fitted on top, but fall out and swing around your body.  

Trendy vs. conservative

Sutton Studio cardigan, Bloomingdale's

The final decision for a cashmere cardigan is whether you want a more trendy or conservative one.  A conservative one is very long lasting and you can wear it again and again in every season.  The look is very classic with nice buttons and a regular shape.  It won’t hug your body as much, but it will still flatter everyone.  A trendy cardigan changes with the fashions.  The latest fashions have more cardigans that drape, have less buttons, and are more voluminous.  You won’t wear the trendier cardigan for as long as you will the conservative one but it will definitely be more fun to wear.  With the trendier cashmere cardigan, you will feel like it is a great part of your outfit.  That season, you will probably wear it again and again.  However, be careful, it may not last you more than one or two seasons before the shape or the style disappears.