Fall is here and it is officially time to stock up on fall/winter essentials. Among the many must-have fall/winter outerwear options, cardigans are always popular and will never go out of style. Today I’m going to introduce tips on how to style cardigans—a wardrobe staple in anyone’s closet.

Style with dresses
Wearing cardigans with dresses is always a fashion “do.” A perfect cover-up for those chilly evenings, cardigans, when styled right, can add a nice touch to your outfit while keeping you warm and cozy. For the office, swap your everyday black blazer for a warm and cozy knit cardigan and instantly add sophistication to your otherwise plain office look. A simple shift dress—a classic style of dress that hangs from the shoulders, usually without any definition at the waist—can be played up when mixed and matched with a cardigan. To create a chic office look, opt for a plain beige shift dress and throw on a chunky knit cardigan over it. As for the color of the cardigan, you can opt for the classic monochromes such as creams, whites, greys, and blacks, or go for any of the season’s hottest hues including but not limited to marsala (a deep earthy red), strawberry pink, electric blue, zesty orange, and so much more.

Long, oversized cardigans
Among other fall outerwear options available this season, one item topping the fashion trend charts is the super long cardigans. Super long and oversized cardigans have been around for some time and are likely to stay this fall, with celebs and street fashionistas alike rocking the look everywhere. To wear the trend, opt for extremely long cardigans made of quality material such as wool/wool blends or cashmere. If you’ve been itching for a new look, pick up a super long cardigan that comes down to your ankles and make a fashion statement. For casual outings, opt for something as relaxed and laid back as a denim shorts and a tee combo, add a pair of long boots to the mix and throw on a long cardigan over the ensemble to complete the look. In addition, long cardigans are appropriate for formal functions as well. Look for an oversized cardigan in an interesting print and layer it over a long, fancy dress.

Cropped cardigans
Lastly, cropped cardigans are extremely popular at the moment. Most people tend to associate cropped cardigans with matronly fashion but there are ways to style them so they look chic and understated. To avoid looking frumpy, be careful what you choose to layer it with. As a rule of thumb, when styling cropped cardigans, it is best to avoid wearing the cardigan with a contrasting colored top underneath. For instance, when wearing a black cropped cardigan, try to avoid wearing a white or cream colored top underneath (as this can make you look wider and shorter). Instead, go for similar colors as the cardigan such as dark brown, charcoal gray, navy, and more. In addition, cropped cardigans can be styled in an unexpected way. For instance, a cropped cardigan can be worn tucked in. For the office, opt for a grey cotton cardigan (and wear it buttoned up all the way as a top) and wear it tucked in a black pencil skirt—complete the outfit with a pair of pumps and create a stylish office outfit.

Incorporate cardigans into your fall wardrobe now and stay chic!