Hallie AbramsFounder & Lead Stylist, The Wardrobe Consultant

2026 Trends: Cardigan as a shirt!

25 Feb 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:23

In this solo fashion tutorial, Hallie Abrams challenges the conventional way of wearing a cardigan by proposing it be styled as a shirt. She explains that most people keep cardigans open over other layers, but she suggests wearing them directly on the body, treating them like a button‑up top. Hallie offers concrete styling tips: adding brooches (e.g., a cluster on the left chest), adjusting button placement (opening the top buttons and often the bottom one for movement), and deciding whether to tuck the cardigan depending on its length. She emphasizes the look’s casual‑cool vibe, likening it to a warmer version of a button‑up shirt. Throughout, she encourages viewers to try the look, share photos, tag her, or join her Facebook group for community inspiration, reinforcing the idea that the viewer already owns the key piece and just needs a fresh styling approach.

Chapters

Let's talk about things you have in your closet that you can wear in a new way that will make it feel current and fresh. Okay. Cardigans. I would bet my bottom dollar that you have a cardigan sitting in your closet, and you probably wear it with something underneath it. Open. Because it's a cardigan that's theoretically right. It's a sweater that's meant to be worn open. No, no, no, no, no. We're gonna change it up. We are going to wear our cardigans as shirts. I like the subtle sparkle. I like the little brooch party. You could make this yourself if you wanted. Also, like, I love that you can just put it on and be done. But you could take your cardigan and put a bunch of brooches right on the top of your left boob, and you'd be all set. I did not tuck it in because this one's cropped. If yours is longer, you can always tuck it in, and it makes it feel fresh. It's like a warmer version of a button up. It just feels a little cool and casual. And you need to make sure to open up the top buttons. I often open up the bottom one so there's a little movement. But I'm not giving you, like, full. And I am telling you, that is one thing I know you have in your closet. Full of clothes, but nothing to wear. You have it. Just wear it this way. And when you do, send me a picture or tag me or join my Facebook group, and you can do it there, because we all share our outfits and give each other inspiration. And, yeah, you have it. You just need to wear it a different way.