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.

How to Wear Ladies Shrugs

You may ask – what exactly is a shrug? Essentially, a ladies shrug is similar to a cardigan, but is usually much lighter weight, and cropped so it only falls across the upper back. It can be fastened at the front, usually loosely with a tie, or not at all.

Shrugs can be a great addition to any woman’s wardrobe. Not only do they come in such a huge variety of styles and colours, so that you can wear them with almost anything, they are also a great way to cover up. A lot of women are self-conscious about their upper arms, and a shrug allows you to cover them, without having to wear a heavier jacket, or choose a different outfit, and would definitely be worth adding to your wardrobe.

If you have never owned or worn a shrug before, then you may be at a loss of how to wear one. The short answer would be – however you want to if you feel you want to cover up, but you can read on for a few more tips and advice on how ladies can wear a shrug.

To wear a shrug casually, you could choose almost any colour that matches your outfit; whether it’s jeans and a top, a dress, or a skirt and boots. Shrugs are great to carry with you in the summer, as they are small and lightweight enough to store away in a bag, and then easy to throw on for a little cover when it cools off in the evenings. They would also make great bikini cover-ups for summer holidays.

Shrugs are also great to add some personality to work or office wear. A lot of people will mostly wear black to the office - black trousers, black skirts – and wearing a coloured shrug will add some vibrancy and lift to your everyday wardrobe.

Don’t like taking a jacket on a night out? Shrugs can be the perfect answer to the eternal dilemma of taking a jacket to keep warm at the end of a night on the town, or taking one and just ending up carrying it around and leaving it somewhere. Lightweight shrugs lend themselves perfectly to a glamorous ‘night-out’ outfit, as they can often be sheer, with a bit of shimmer or sparkle, and would definitely not detract from your style. They are small enough to fit in the smallest of bags, but sufficient enough to offer comfort when the evening gets a bit chilly.

Similarly, if you find yourself attending a glamorous party or event, and your favourite dress shows too much of your back or upper arms, a shrug can help you feel a lot less self-conscious by adding a little something extra, and seeming like a part of your outfit itself. Which is a lot better than someone nagging you to ‘take your jacket off’ all night.