How to Style a Grandpa Cardigan and Not Look Old

Are Grandpa cardigans chic over 40, or do they just make you look old ? Here’s a brown one I bought recently and some styling tips to look modern and cool!

1. Don’t Go Too Oversize

A Grandpa Cardigan is supposed to look a little oversized, like it has been borrowed from Grandpa’s closet, but you don’t want it to look too big, loose, or sloppy. I chose this one because it is more streamlined than some long cardigans. I was careful to buy the right size, so I didn’t look dowdy. This sweater also is cotton, making it a little less bulky and more feminine, which I like.

2. Keep it Slim Underneath

Suppose you want a more streamlined look with a grandpa cardigan; you must keep what you wear under your cardigan light, thin, and close to the body. For example, I wear skinny jeans, not wide-leg ones, with my long brown cardigan. I’ve also paired it with a thin, lightweight blouse, not a thick, heavy sweater.

3. Choose a Feminine Top

I like feminine clothes and love the juxtaposition of a feminine top worn with a masculine grandpa sweater. This pretty blouse is not too fussy but not male. It strikes the perfect balance.

4. Print/Color Makes it Modern

One of the reasons I bought this particular long brown cardigan is I fell in love with the color. It’s a gorgeous light golden brown, reminding me of acorns and cattails. A fresh, trendy color like this or a beautiful print like the one in my blouse goes a long way in making a grandpa sweater look chic.