Restyle: How to Wear a Short Sleeve Cardigan

Last week, I posted about the glories of a short sleeve cardigan. Worn as a topper or alone, it’s a great piece. Wear it under a blazer in winter over a gauzy dress in summer. So at the request of a reader, here are some additional styling ideas.

The Cardigan // I chose this Alex Mill cardigan because it’s the perfect mid-weight with a slightly chunky knit. The cotton-linen blend is also perfect for warm weather. And the shell buttons offer a classic look with a little bit of extra elegance.

Looking for something under-$100? J.Crew has a similar option. And if you want something with a smoother knit, try BR. Plus-size? This light blue cardigan is the closest thing I found, runs to size 30.

The Under-Layer // Since I know people will ask, I would wear this without a tank under it because it’s so hot. But if you want an under layer, you have two choices: nude and navy. This navy Ric-Rac trimmed compression tank is a cool option, especially if you shed the cardigan at some point. I also like this $5 cotton option from Old Navy in tan. Intissimi has a smooth tank in a wider range of skin tones.

For Work // It would be easy to style this look with all navy. Navy skirt, navy shoes, navy bag, but a little color never hurt any one. In fall, I would choose a burgundy skirt, more purple than red. In mid-summer, I might go for a pop of hot pink or bright yellow. But in spring, I want something more relaxed, and this peacock teal is just the ticket.

You could wear navy shoes for a “sandwich” look, but for me, the skintone choice is best. It gives a longer leg line even without a heel. I like these Cole Haan slingbacks. If I didn’t want even a hint of heel, I would choose a pointed toe flat. I’m not wearing high heels often. What all the 40-something women who read this blog when I was 29 said was true, they’re just harder on your feet as you age.

For the accessories, I wanted a ladylike bag. This Teddy Blake bag is a wonderful choice. Add in a chunky hoop for a bit of shine.

I would style this look with my hair down. Hair up would be a little more prim than I’m going for. A little color on the lip, but not a true lipstick as they might look heavy. Like a Mad Men cosplay. This Summer Fridays lip oil is a good option for sheer color.

For the Home Office // Working from home, I like to look nice but it takes a real effort. It’s just too easy to put on a drawstring wide leg and a striped tee. Making getting dressed easier means the pieces need to be comfortable. No pinching waist bands or itchy fabrics.

These linen pants from Boden look so chic. Relaxed and breezy, but still pulled together. They also come in petite and tall. For a more casual pant, try these linen pants from Old Navy that fit less like a trouser. A crinkle gauze pant is an even more relaxed option.

I chose black for the accessories because I wanted the look to feel dressier, and brown or nude would relax it too much. And choosing a color, like red, just felt forced. Plus, it complements the buttons on the sweater.

These simple sandals from J.Crew Factory are a steal at $45. I added these gradient Cat Eye sunglasses from Longchamp for a cool girl sunglasses option that’s <$200. But I probably need a pair of blue light glasses more than I need sunglasses these days.

Lastly, I am beyond smitten with these simple David Yurman earrings. If you need a nice gift for a graduating relative or a close friend, these are awesome.

To style this look, I would wear my second-day hair up in low chignon. I want to dress up the pants, and an updo helps with that. I would also probably wear a deeper red lip.

For the Weekend // I’m wearing shorts again. Chasing a toddler requires a specific kind of dress, and sometimes it’s just not an option. These shorts from Spanx are my very favorite. They also come in plus-sizes. And I like them with the cardigan for a look that’s casual but pulled together.

To add a bit of color, I chose these dark green beaded bracelets. I would wear at least two, but probably three for a layered look. And I would carry the green hue over to the sling bag that lets you have both hands free to catch the daredevil child who thinks jumping from the top of the jungle gym without saying “ready,” because Mom is always supposed to be “ready,” without needing to re-arrange anything. If you need a similar look for less, this suede saddle bag from Quince is nice.

For the shoes, I chose these clear jelly flats from Ancient Greek. I own these flats in nude, and you do want to size up. They are the only jelly shoes that don’t brutalize my feet with all the rubbing and the blisters. Target makes a nearly identical style, but I can’t vouch for the comfort.

To style this look, I’m probably wearing my hair down or in a ponytail. This is the look I’ll throw on for a barbecue or a country club lunch. It’s not something I want to overthink. Just a pop of blush on the cheeks to look alive for a long weekend day, and I’m moving on.

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