Seek high quality
As with many items of apparel, cardigans can range from cheap and poorly made to elegant and costly. One great benefit of vintage is that you can often find sweaters in high quality materials and even some lovely embellishments for a fraction of retail market prices. Look for natural fibers like wool or wool blends. And if you manage to find angora, mohair or blends that include them, you’re lucky indeed.
Find a flattering fit
Even with great materials, a cardigan is not essential unless is also fits well. Avoid the oversized boxy numbers in favor of more fitted styles, which have more versatility both for casual and dressier wear. You’ll actually find few fashionable vintage sweaters in plus sizes, as obesity was relatively uncommon decades ago when many of these items were designed.
Collect color
You know by now that if a color fails to flatter you, the item is no bargain after all, even if it’s beautiful on the hanger. Neutrals are great as you can layer and build upon them, but a few numbers in show stopping hues like turquoise, hot pink, or Kelly green can really make great statement pieces in your wardrobe. Look back over older pictures to get a better sense of the colors that really make you feel like a million, and seek those out. You may even have a trademark hue by now. That’s probably the one that nets you the most compliments, if so.
Embrace embellishments
While you can dress up basic twinsets with pearls, broaches, scatter pins, and other wonderful jewelry, you’re in luck if you stumble upon a sweater with some unique embellishments. These add to the value, so they can get pricy, but you may still find an affordable gem with beaded accents, embroidery, lovely unique buttons, appliqué, or other embellishments. These more distinctive pieces are fabulous collectables, especially if they also fit and flatter you.
Imagine the possibilities
Some cardigans make a statement by themselves, especially if they feature some special details, while others greatly benefit from accessories. Either way, these basic staples offer tremendous versatility. Take a form-fitting black angora cardigan. This could be worn over jeans with a dashing scarf on Saturday, paired with a grey flannel trousers and pearls for work, then again transformed for an evening out with a black pencil skirt, snazzy pumps, and glitzy chandelier earrings. Or belt a pretty pink cardi over a silky camisole and flouncy skirt with ropes of pearls for dinner out.
As you can see, your options abound. The key is ensuring high-quality materials, with an attractive fit and color. Vintage finds can be tremendous bargains and lend great distinction to your wardrobe. It’s your look, why not make it special?
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