Do You Think Women's Cardigans are Stylish or Dowdy?

Halloween is already over, and even bonfire night has passed us by, which means that Christmas will be upon us before we know it. Some people are eagerly counting down, and others think it is far too soon to be thinking about Christmas, but you can’t deny that after an unseasonably warm October, it is quite refreshing to have a spell of season-appropriate weather.

With this new chilly weather setting in, it is the perfect excuse to hunt for some new cosy items to keep you warm. As women, we seem to favour cardigans more than men, and there is nothing easier than throwing on a comfy woolly cardigan that goes with everything, so you know you have a few reliable options for colder weather.

Cardigans are a popular cover-up throughout the year, but some people still feel that women’s cardigans can be a bit frumpy or dowdy. As with most fashion items, the choice is so wide and varied that you are sure to find a style or shape to suit you, leaving you feeling stylish rather than unfashionable.

Long Wool Mocha Cardigan – made in Italy

This thick wool cardigan is perfect for keeping you warm, but long waterfall style is also on trend at the moment, along with the seasonal mocha colour. This cardigan is certainly far from frumpy and firmly stylish and could easily be thrown on over jeans and a t-shirt for some weekend errand running, or it would look lovely with black trousers and a blouse for the office.

Fluffy Grey Cardigan – made in Italy

This women’s cardigan could not be anymore cosy. This is perfect as a festive addition to your wardrobe, and will certainly add interest to any outfit. It is the perfect piece to show off a bit of glamour on a night out or a festive party, and would look great paired with a black jumpsuit and stand-out heels.

Plum Floral Kimono Cardigan – made in Italy

Kimonos really made a splash in the fashion world this summer, but that doesn’t mean they have to be relegated to the back of the wardrobe for the winter. This plum colour kimono lends itself to the festive season, and the fringe adds another level of interest. This might be a cardigan choice for milder days that aren’t so frosty, but it would look great with almost any outfit, and you can continue wearing it when the weather warms up.

Grey Wool Stripe Gilet Cardigan – made in Italy

This is not a cardigan in the traditional sense, but it will still provide warmth and comfort on colder days. Similarly to the kimono, the gilet has become an increasingly popular item of winter clothing, and this particular piece will lend some classic elegance, without feeling ‘puffed out’ or frumpy. This gilet would look great paired with a long sleeved top, jeans, and knee high tan boots, for a perfect winter outfit. 

The Right Jacket Could Lift a Lady's Style

As the good old British weather dictates, a suitable jacket is an essential item in any lady’s wardrobe. Even in the summer, a jacket might be needed to ward off any cold spells, and cover up when the heavens open. However, a lot of ladies will only have one jacket in their wardrobe that they wear again and again in all weather.

There’s nothing wrong with a good reliable jacket, but wearing the same one day in day out can become a little monotonous, especially when there are so many different styles of jacket available that can really add something to your style, as well as keeping you a bit warmer.

There are numerous styles of jackets that come in and out of fashion, but something like a blazer will always remain classic. You can get tailored blazers, boyfriend blazers, cropped blazers, waterfall blazers, and much, much more, so there is bound to be a style that suits you. You could add a plain neutral-coloured blazer to almost any outfit, and it would instantly make your style seem smarter and more ‘put together’, and a patterned or bright colour blazer would always add some style and excitement to a monochrome outfit. Jackets can be like an accessory themselves.

Similarly, cardigans are another kind of jacket that can have the same effect as blazers. They needn’t be saved for colder weather, as there are so many variations available, that you should be able to find one for all kinds of weather, styles, or occasions. A cropped cardigan would be perfect to add over a shirt for appropriate office wear, and a long-line waterfall cardigan would be great for a relaxed weekend style. Even on formal occasions, a cardigan-style shrug is a perfect way to cover up with something easy and light.

As we are now moving in to the colder months and winter is approaching, it might be wiser to also start thinking about warmer jacket styles to keep out the cold, while still delivering on style. Gilets and vests have had a resurgence in popularity over the past couple of years, and there is almost as much variety as there would be with any other jacket style. A gilet, or a waistcoat, such as our own Made in Italy ones, is a great choice for a winter jacket as it keeps your body warm, but allows your arms to move freely without being constricted by any thick coat sleeves, not to mention that they all look incredibly cosy.

In a similar way to gilets, ponchos are also becoming more and more popular as a style of ladies’ jacket. They are perfect to simply throw on over any outfit, and instantly appear appropriately snug and wintery, as well as leaving your arms free from any heavy sleeves like a gilet. Our own Made in Italy ponchos are perfect for this winter.

There are so many jackets styles to choose from, including some that you may not have thought of, that it seems like a bit of a wasted opportunity to only stick to one reliable jacket. That jacket will always be a staple in your wardrobe, but you can really change up your outfits and sense of style by trying out different jackets. Try thinking of a jacket as an accessory the next time you are looking to cover up.

Long sleeved dresses can be the perfect winter style fix

It’s that time of the year again, and as winter rushes in, many women will find themselves at a loss for what to wear to keep warm and smart at the same time. There are a huge number of knitwear styles available, but knitwear isn’t for everyone; some find it itchy, and wearing several layers can make some people feel extra hot and uncomfortable, especially when ducking in and out of shops.

But winter dressing can be extremely fun for some people, particularly those who love layers and getting cosy with their style choices every day. But others get fed up with pulling drab or dark clothing out of their wardrobes every morning. Of course, winter clothing doesn’t have to be drab or dull at all, but often, people are just missing the summer months, and how easy it was to just throw on almost anything, and know it would be weather suitable.

Summer dresses are always a popular choice, and are essentially a whole outfit in one piece of clothing. However, that doesn’t have to stop as the weather cools off.

Long-sleeved dresses could be the answer to your problems. Just like summer dresses, long-sleeved dresses can be the all-in-one outfit for winter. There is such a huge variety of long-sleeved dresses available, that you can find one to suit any need or occasion. Work wear? Weekend wear? Evening wear? Long-sleeved dresses might be more versatile than you think, and Goose Island has a variety of them to pull you out of a winter style rut.

Grey Long Knitted Dress

This two-layered dress is a great option for everyday or weekend wear this winter. The long sleeves will protect your arms from the cold, and the knitted material will also provide an extra bit of warmth, the lace inserts add a sophisticated style to suit almost anyone.

This dress would look great styled in so many different ways; wear it with black tights and ballet flats for a smart casual look, wear with leggings and boots for a true winter look, or you could even wear it over jeans. It even comes with a matching scarf!

Pink silk embellisheddress

This beautiful dress will add an element of style to any outfit or occasion. The pink is a perfect colour to warm you up, along with the long sleeves and nipped in waist.

If it’s not too cold, you could brave bare legs with a pair of black heels and black jacket for a night out, or you could team it with flat, knee-high, black boots for a pretty Christmas shopping outfit.

Mocha fitted lace dress

The lace on this long-sleeved dress really lends itself to a glamorous Christmas party or a night out with friends. The long sleeves will keep out the chill as you enjoy yourself, and the double layers will even add an extra bit of warmth. 

You could wear it with a long pendant necklace for a bit of winter sparkle, or you could wear a waterfall cardigan soften the look for day to day wear.

Long Jersey Magic Dress

This navy dress is a great winter colour, and its long sleeves and ruched skirt mean that it is extremely flattering for any shape and body size. It will also suit every style and occasion, and can be accessorised to work for the office, a night out, a day shopping, and the jersey material makes it extremely comfortable to wear all day long, or even to travel in.

There are almost unlimited options when it comes to buying or styling long-sleeved dresses, and you are sure to find something that suits you this autumn and winter, whether you just want something to make outfit planning easier, or your wardrobe is missing that essential long-sleeved piece.