| This is the year of the cardigan sweater. Short, | | | | narrow sloped shoulders, cardigans with round |
| long, embellished, patterned, tailored, flowing, trendy, | | | | necklines can make me look dowdy in an instant! |
| colorful, neutral, you name it, it's out there! How | | | | *Boxy designs on a curvy body (unless you want to |
| fabulous, right?…or maybe not! | | | | look like…yup…a box). |
| While cardigans are extremely functional, they are | | | | *A band at the bottom – unless the band is |
| also dangerous. It doesn't take much for a cardigan | | | | purely decorative and doesn't squeeze your hips (or |
| to go from adorable and pretty to downright frumpy. | | | | you are very slim in the hips and can handle added |
| You often hear celebrity stylists say rather | | | | focus there). |
| nonchalantly, "Oh, yes, just add a little cardigan over | | | | *Too long or flimsy and, even worse, belted. You |
| it, and you're all set!" Then they leave it at that | | | | can easily look like you are wearing your bathrobe |
| with no direction! Yikes! So, you go out and buy a | | | | (yes, even Katie Holmes can look bad in this style!). |
| cardigan, toss it on over a blouse, tank or dress and | | | | This is especially true when wearing a dress. Opt |
| take a look at yourself in the mirror, and who's | | | | for something short like this: |
| staring back? Not some trend-setting celebrity but | | | | *Never button the sweater all the way or you risk |
| your elderly grandma or, worse, Mr. Rogers! | | | | looking like Lisa Lubner on Saturday Night Live (am I |
| Don't give up! While cardigans might be tricky, they | | | | dating myself?). Leaving it slightly open at the top |
| are very doable, and they can be flattering (not to | | | | and bottom creates a diagonal line that is very |
| mention practical). Let's look at a few do's and | | | | flattering: |
| don'ts. Of course, there are exceptions to each of | | | | Now, go out and purchase as many wonderful, |
| these rules but, in general, avoid cardigans with: | | | | flattering cardigans in all your best colors as you |
| *Rounded, jewel necklines (unless it has pretty detail | | | | can. I've learned from past experience in the |
| like this one that makes it look like a v-neck OR you | | | | fashion world that many great styles are here today, |
| have broad, square shoulders (which helps when | | | | gone tomorrow, so stock up on a valuable classic |
| wearing a cardigan)). For someone like me with | | | | item like this while you can. |