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How do YOU button your cardigans? I was surprised that I had such a strong opinion when I saw reader S’s email:
I love regular crewneck cardigans and have them in several colors and brands, but I’m always debating whether I should be buttoning up just the 2nd and third buttons, only the top one, or everything but the top two buttons. Is there a look that looks more professional? Is there a style that’s most flattering to certain body types?
Interesting.
We’ve talked a lot about classic sweaters for work outfits over the years, including giving tips on how to wash “dry clean” items, and discussing what makes a sweater appropriate for the office — as well as how to do business casual in cold weather and seasonless sweaters for summer!
In terms of styling, we’ve discussed how to style sweaters as an accessory, 9 ways to use an office pashmina, and the best fake collars if you like that preppy “layered look” for your sweaters! — as well as how to do business casual in cold weather.
{related: what to wear to work in the winter}
Are There Different Ways to Button a Cardigan?
Maybe I’m alone here, but I HATE the top-button-only look for the office. It reminds me of secretaries and housewives from the 1950s (kind of like the picture above, from Peggy Sue Got Married), even when Michelle Obama does it.
Imogen over at Inside Out Style notes that the top-buttoned look flatters smaller busts, which I suppose I can see — but then I would just suggest that almost all of the buttons should be buttoned then, not just the top few. (I always leave the bottom button unbuttoned, so I say “almost all”).
{related: do check out our regularly updated list of wardrobe essentials for work!}
How I’ve Buttoned My Cardigans for Work Outfits
For my $.02, when I’ve buttoned my cardigans (which is probably only about 40% of the time) I’ve always buttoned my cardigans like this:
The 2 or 3 buttons closest to my belly button to emphasize my waist, possibly adding a belt — usually with a full blouse beneath
The 5 or 6 buttons in the middle (which is like 75% of the buttons), worn with a contrasting tank top beneath that is part of the look but usually not acceptable on its own — top few buttons undone, bottom few buttons undone so it lays nicely
Worn as a sweater that happens to be a cardigan, with all of the buttons but the bottom one buttoned. I’m usually wearing a hidden camisole or t-shirt beneath it (in case of gaping and also to help stretch out laundering), and I leave the button one unbuttoned to help it lay more nicely. This can be a particularly nice look beneath a blazer.
If you’re getting creative, you can close your cardigan with a brooch or collection of brooches (but again, near your waist) — or you can also leave it open but belted, which almost creates a colorblocking look with whatever you’re wearing beneath the cardigan (like here).
{related: the best sweater jackets for the office}
Some of Our Latest Favorite Cardigans for the Office
Some of our favorite classic cardigans for the office as of 2024 include those below — definitely check Talbots and J.Crew Factory if you’re looking for plus sizes, and Quince is always a nice affordable option.
Some Of Our Latest Favorite Relaxed Cardigans for Business Casual Looks
Readers, how do you button your cardigans? Does a certain buttoning style read “work” to you (or weekend)?