Shop Your Closet: Fair Isle Cardigan

By Leah

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space. For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

Got a case of the Mondays? Having trouble getting dressed after your weekend of Halloween celebrations? Before you roll out of bed and instinctively go for your comfiest sweats and slide your feet into a pair of Uggs, please stop and consider the following:

Do you really have to look sloppy to be comfortable?
The answer: hell-to-the-no.

Chunky knits, Nordic prints and fair isle are all readily available this year. And for good reason. What better way to hit the cold weather and still look cute than in a cozy sweater? For this week’s ‘Shop Your Closet’ I picked a belted short-sleeve fair isle cardigan because it’s perfect for layering, and we all know layering is the college girl’s BFF. But all of these looks could just as easily be worn with a long-sleeve version, another print or any plain, chunky sweater you might already have stored in that Tupperware under your bed.

Say no to the sweats and head to class in style without sacrificing comfort.

Warm and Casual:

Sweater, Jeans, Boots, Tee, Long-sleeve.

The easiest and most obvious way to wear a fair isle sweater is over a pair of jeans. But while you could just throw on a basic solid tee, step up that game a little bit and wear layered tees underneath instead. Grab a graphic t-shirt from your closet, then add an extra layer with a soft long-sleeve tee in a complimentary color. This small change adds some extra fun and depth to the look. Pair that with some skinny jeans and flat boots to even out the bulk from the heavy cardigan.

With a T-Shirt Dress:

Sweater, Dress, Tights, Boots

Jersey dresses are the easiest way to look like you’ve put effort in on a day when all you want to do is stay under the covers. I put a long sleeve tee under the sweater to keep your arms warm. Add tights in a contrasting color (a textured tight would work here as well) for a little fun and your black riding boots and you’re set to go.

Note: If you don’t own a pair of riding boots, any flat, black knee boots would work!

A Little Sass:

Sweater, Skirt, Top, Belt, Boots

If you’re brave enough (or live in a warmer climate) to bare your legs this time of year, then a simple skirt-shirt combo will work under this cardi. Tuck a shirt with detailing that will peak out from the sweater into a basic black skirt, then swap out the tie-belt for something a little tougher (like this skinny belt with studs) and voila, instantly chic. Add feminized work boots to complete the look.

Find out other ways to re-work what you’ve already got.