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Monday, January 24, 2011

How To Wear Cardigans!



I found this video by Euchante on YouTube. She shares much idea on how to wear cardigans based on its color and design. To view more videos by Euchante, click here.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Textile and Texture of Cardigans

  35 nylon 23 wool 7 angora
 50 cotton 50 modal
 55 mohair 30 polyamid 15 wool
 55 silk 45 cashmere
 60 cotton 20 cashmere 20 silk
 60 cotton 20 wool 20 silk
 65 cupro 35 polyester (metallic)
 70 cashmere 30 silk
 70 rayon 30 polyester
 70 viscose 30 wool from kew-online.com
 70 wool 30 cashmere
 82 viscose 18 nylon from vont.co.uk
 100 cashmere
 100 cashmere
 100 cotton
 100 polyester
 100 viscose from vintagefringe.com
 70 cashmere 30 silk
 cotton and

 cotton thread from knittedbliss.com
 100 knitted cotton
 100 lace

Useful Websites

Monday, January 17, 2011

How to Buy Cardigans

credit to askjoeygarr.com
1. Clear out your wardrobe first.


This is a key pre-shopping step to know what kind of cardigans will go the most and the best with what you already own. If you are going to have a seasonal or annual wardrobe cleaning session, make three boxes to classify what is "storage," "donation," and "garbage." 

My tip is that if you have something you didn't wear for the last two years, then you are likely not going to wear them in the next two years. Make a fun, friendly gift by giving it away to your friends and families who may need it.





2. Know your body shape.


One of the fashion TV shows I found practical and helpful was Tim Gun's Guide To Style. To know what type of clothes flatter a client the best, Tim Gun uses a 3D body scanner. The lesson here: what fits the best looks the best.

Chicfashionista.com offers helpful tips on what to wear depending on your body type. Click each body shape to see how PEAR, RECTANGLE, APPLE, HOURGLASS, AND INVERTED TRIANGLE type can purchase cardigans that will flatter your shape.






3. Invest on the basics, and go cheap on trendy items.


Invest on basic cardigans that work well with what you already own. If you have gone through your closet, you should know what colors and designs you have. If you do not own a single cardigan, I suggest that you start by purchasing a black basic cardigan that will go with most of what you already have.

If you are looking for a second piece, I'd say that a long cardigan will be worth its money. Long cardigans are versatile: it can be dressed up and down, worn with pants, leggings, skirts. My favorite way of wearing a long cardigan is with dresses tied with a cute belt.

Yet, it is important to remember that the more basic a cardigan is, the better quality it should be. This will keep you looking nice and classy even if you go for a "dress down" look. My favorites are half-silk-and-half-cashmere cardigans.

Meanwhile, spend less on trendy cardigans (i.e. cardigan with Nordic prints, leopards, sparkles, stripes, accessories, etc) or don't purchase anything trendy at all if you like to keep things safe and subtle. Personally, I would never invest my money on buying horns or studs--it's just not my style and I envy who can pull it off really well.




4. If you don't like shopping for long or at all, make use of the return policy.


If you are pressed with time, unsure, tired, if you dislike crowded places or shopping in general, try buying whatever stands out to you and go home. Once you get home, rest a bit, drink a cup of tea, snack a bit, light a candle, (whatever works to make you relax) and slowly try on what you bought with what you have. This gives you comforting and private fitting room experiences. Just make sure to keep your integrity, check the return policy and honor it!






Women's Cardigan Types - More Open Designs

 Open Cardigan Types - Open Basic, Drape, Wrap & Shawl 

Open Basic

credit to forever21.com

Above are the examples of the basic open-style cardigans. While they have common in being open cardigans, their neckline and hem line cuts give the two cardigans a starkly different look.

Draped Type

 credit to bloomingdales.com and neckdress.com 

Draped cardigans are open type cardigans of which its neckline or hem line drapes. Worn with simple and minimal inners, draped cardigans makes a stylish contrast. Thicker the fabric of a draped cardigan is, more cozy and casual it will look.

Wrap / Shawl Type

 credit to thisnext.com and pregnancyfashion.sheknows.com

Wrap / Shawl Type cardigans are somewhat similar to draped cardigans except that their drapes are much longer and wider that you could wrap the cardigan around the body just as you would with a shawl. Wrap / Shawl type cardigans also give you a room to experiment for you can wrap them in different ways to create multiple looks with just one cardigan.


Women's Cardigan Types - Basic Designs

Basic Cardigans


credit to viedu.blogspot.com
Design: Always open-front. (if closed, then it's a sweater) Buttoned 
Length: Usually sits on a hip bone or just above a hip bone
Embellishments: Optional- originally attached or added later
Fabric: Cotton is the most commonly used material; followed by cotton mixed with others; rayon, viscose (jersey material), silk, cashmere, polyester, wool, angora, etc or any mixture of these materials
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: Thin tops, dressy tops, dressy or casual dress, suits, skirt, jeans, simple tops, leggings. Goes with mostly anything 
Style Keywords: Comfortable, dressy, casual, sophisticated, mature


Long Cardigans


credit to boutique.onlinefashionhouse.com

Design: Always open-front. Buttoned
Length: Sits on a hip ~ above the knees
Embellishments: Optional
Fabric: Cotton is the most commonly used material; followed by cotton mixed with others; rayon, viscose (jersey material), silk, cashmere, polyester, wool, angora, etc or any mixture of these materials
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: Casual dress, simple tops and leggings, jeans
Style Keywords: Comfortable, casual, trendy


Oversized Cardigans


credit to raulharper.com
Design: Always open-front. Plain without buttons, zipper, or belt
Length: Hip bone ~ calves
Embellishments: Optional
Fabric: Generally thicker than basic/long cardigans. Wool is the most commonly used material; followed by wool mixed with others; cashmere, angora, acrylic, silk, etc or any other mixture of these materials
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: Casual dress, simple tops and leggings, skinny jeans, minimal inners
Style Keyword: Comfortable, casual, stylish, hippie, grungy


Cropped / Bolero


credit to shop.com
berketexbride.com
Design: Always open-front. Buttoned, hooked, tied-front or plain
Length: Collar bones ~ waste line
Embellishments: Optional
Fabric: Generally thin and delicate materials. Cotton is most commonly used, but cotton mixture with polyester, silk, viscose (jersey) are as popular. Dressier cropped cardigans/boleros use lace material while funkier ones use metallic fabric, fur (both animal and fake), or other less common. Printed fabrics are also commonly used for cropped cardigans/boleros
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: Casual, dressy, cocktail and wedding dress, suits, simple tops and jeans, skinny jeans
Style Keyword: Cute, casual, dressy, stylish, feminine


Belted Cardigans


credit to hipsterchic.com



Design: Always open-front. Usually belt alone, but sometimes belts + buttons or belt + zippers
Length: Same length as basic or long cardigans
Embellishment: Optional
Fabric: Similar to basic or long cardigans
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: Casual or dressy tops, suits jeans, skinny jeans, casual or dressy dress
Style Keyword: Office, casual, dressy, comfortable, versatile


Open Cardigans


credit to thisnext.com

Design: Always open-front. Plain without buttons, zipper, or belt
Length: Same length as basic or long cardigans
Embellishment: Optional
Fabric: Similar to basic or long cardigans
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: Casual or dressy tops, jeans, skinny jeans, casual or dressy dress
Style Keyword: Casual, dressy, comfortable, versatile

Jacket Type



credit to jcrewholic.com

Design: Always open-front. Buttoned, hooked, or zipped.
Length: As long as basic cardigans- sits on hip bone or on a waste line
Embellishment: Optional
Fabric: Generally thicker than basic or long cardigans for it functions as an outer
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: Dressy tops, suits, skirts, jeans,  skinny jeans, casual or dressy dress
Style Keyword: Office, dressy, appropriate, sophisticated, mature


Hoodie Type



credit to forever21.com


Design: Always open-front. Zipped.
Length: As long as basic cardigans- sits on hip bone or on a waste line
Embellishment: Optional
Fabric: Generally thicker than basic cardigans for it functions as an outer
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: T-shirts, jeans, skinny jeans, sweat pants
Style Keyword: Casual, sporty, comfortable

Cardigan Vests


credit to ibtimes.com
credit to fobfashion.blogspot.com

Design: Always open-front. Plain without buttons, zipper, hooks or belt.
Length:Cropped cardigan lengths ~ long cardigans
Embellishment: Optional
Fabric: Generally as thin as cropped cardigans and basic cardigans
Color: Could be anything in the color wheel
Match with: T-shirts, casual or dressy tops, jeans, skinny jeans, casual dress
Style Keyword: Casual, dressy, comfortable, hippie