How to Wear Long Cardigans

Welcome to another weekly fashion post, where I share real fashion for real women. Each week, I highlight at least one outfit that I'm wearing right now, as well as provide ideas and inspiration to help you get dressed in the mornings. Life is hard, getting dressed shouldn't be. This week we're going to talk about the long cardigan trend.

With winter hopefully on it's way out the door, and spring rushing in, it feels like time to ditch the coats in favor of something lighter to help chase the chill. Something I noticed a lot on a recent shopping trip, were long cardigans. For argument's sake, let's call a "long cardigan" any sweater whose bottom hem falls below hip-level. Generally that means somewhere between mid-thigh and your ankles.
I'm going to say that at first thought, I figured I could not possibly pull off this look. I am both too short and too "not thin". But I realized it's not a short-tall or skinny-not skinny thing, it's about proportion. If you wear big or bulky things underneath the long cardigan, you run the risk of looking as if you are wearing your bathrobe out of the house. Keep the outfit underneath simple and close to your body.

My friend Denise, wore a fabulous navy blue duster-length cardigan the other night. What's duster length? That's around your ankles. It looked fabulous. She styled it over jeans and a t-shirt then upped the style with a great belt and cowboy boots. I received a long cardigan as a birthday gift, and couldn't wait to start finding ways to wear it.

For my first time, I styled it with simple dark skinny jeans and a drapey t-shirt. Classic booties finish the look.

T-shirt - Lord and Taylor | Jeans - Ann Taylor | Cardigan - MaxwellJames | Boots - Aerosoles | Bag - Kate Spade | Necklace - Tiffany's | Bracelets - Alex and Anni, Tiffany

This is a perfect outfit for errands, lunch out or shopping with the girls. No coat necessary. I kept accessories to a minimum as well. You could easily add a great scarf to this look. I want to pair it up with my long black maxi skirt next for a dressier look.

Have you tried a long cardigan? How did it work out?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up The Pleated Poppy and at Jo-Lynne Shane - be sure to check it out for even more outfit ideas and inspiration.