Three Ways: Cardigans for Pre-Fall

Ladies, we need to have a talk. It’s time to retire the longer cardigans. I kept two, because they were cashmere and expensive, and recycled the rest. Because shorter cardigans show no sign of becoming less popular, and if they do come back into fashion again, you’re going to want new ones. Here’s how to style one of the popular styles.

The Cardigan. This Alex Mill cardigan is a favorite. It has a chunky knit, a sleek style, and it can be worn open or closed. The newest version of the cardigan doesn’t have white buttons, which will save me from replacing them myself this time. The shape of this cardigan is really modern and it works in a variety of settings. It’s also 100% cotton. And at $178, it’s not going to shatter the budget. Looking for something more affordable? Quince has you covered.

Drop Off. For drop off, I need to be comfortable and look like a person. These Miramar sweatpants-jeans from Rag & Bone are as comfortable as any pajamas, and they look amazing. Pair them with a sleek tank; I like this one from Sold Out NYC. I would button up the top four buttons of the cardigan and leave the bottom three open.

For the accessories, I chose a comfortable sleek sneaker from Cole Haan. These are phenomenal if you’re going to be taking a lot of steps. This hat is from Chord’s 2026 Fall collection, and I love the chartreuse color. It adds a little something to an otherwise neutral outfit. Throw on a simple pair of hoops from Monica Vinader, and call it a day.

As for styling, I like this glowing illuminating primer from Caliray. Worn alone or under foundation, it blurs tone and adds brightness to the skin. If you like the Dior Star Glow Filter, this is a great dupe. Add Caliray’s fantastic tubing mascara and some tinted lip balm and you’re done.

Zoom Meeting. If you’re on zoom for the day, you need something that looks good from just the shoulder up. Here, I added a sleek tie front blouse from the Gap. I like the more subtle tie, it feels more modern than a large bow, but still feels very finished. The top also comes in petite and tall.

I added a pair of cream colored jeans from Madewell. Ivory hues are fresher, especially for fall and winter. They look great with these shades of blue, but I also adore them with chocolate brown for fall. Looking for a pair under-$80? Spanx is having a great sale with lots of ivory options.

For the shoes, I chose these woven blue flats from Sam Edelman. These are a great summer-to-fall transition shoe. Still airy, but a full toe box. Margaux also makes a wonderful pair. Add a brown belt — this espresso suede from B-Low the Belt is a great pick — and a pair of earrings with zest, like this Amazonite studs in a cool shape.

Need a light foundation that looks good on camera? Chantecaille’s Future Skin foundation is amazing. The price is $140, but it comes with a refill, so the cost is more like $70. If you hate the feeling of foundation on your skin, this is the one for you.

The Office. I have not purchased a pair of barrel leg pants yet. But I keep seeing cool pairs in olive green, and I think I will buy one. This pair from Whistles is great. If you want something more affordable, Zara has the pair that I am planning to buy. Plus size? Try this pair from ASOS.

This ruffled collar blouse from J.Crew will look great under this sweater. Just a little peek of feminine texture. I finished the look with an olive belt and olive shoes. Just keeping the bottom half in a single color is an easy way to help the look feel intentional and chic.

As for the accessories, I like these Miru nap earrings. They are comfortable to wear, even if you like to sleep in your jewelry. They also make titanium studs, in case you have metal allergies or other issues with inexpensive earrings.

I would probably wear my hair up with this outfit. I would likely add a chic clip. And I’d make sure to add enough contour to my cheeks to sculpt them and complement the updo.

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