Tied around the neck - non-traditional way to wear

Tied Around the Neck – Adding a Non-Traditional Cardigan Look to Your Outfit

One of the most beloved wardrobe staples is the cardigan. There’s a reason why it has been a fashion mainstay for generations – it’s practical, timeless, and can be worn for any occasion.

At face value, the cardigan may seem quite conventional, but styling a cardigan differently can offer some unique opportunities. One of the more popular non-traditional cardigan looks is tying the piece around the neck.

Doing so can instantly elevate a look and offers many styling opportunities. Here’s our guide on how you can add this non-traditional look to your wardrobe.

Choose the Right Material

A lot of the cardigans you’ll see in stores are knit or heavy-knit cardigans. Although these types might be the comfiest, they aren’t the most suitable for tying around the neck. Knit or heavy-knit materials are quite hard to tie without having it look messy or dishevelled.

For tying around the neck, your best bet would be to opt for a thinner material such as cotton, or a light wool-blend. The latter works especially well for transitional seasons when a light layer is needed.

Pair It With the Right Top and Bottoms

If you’re pairing your cardigan with a top, make sure to select a plain, fitted top. You don't want something that’s too bulky as it defeats the purpose of having a slim-fitting, flattering tying-around-the-neck look.

Contrastingly, bottoms should be kept quite baggy and light. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to show what you’re wearing as you’d normally do with a conventional cardigan, so make sure to express your style elsewhere – in the form of trousers or shorts.

Types of Tying Methods

When it comes to tying, there are a few different methods you can use. It depends what fits you best and what look you’d like to create.

The easiest and simplest way is to tie the ends of the cardigan around the neck without making any complex knots. This versatile method also looks the neatest.

For a more relaxed, bohemian look, you can follow the same method but leave some excess to hide the loose ends. Doing this will give the look more texture, adding an effortless western touch to an outfit.

To get an even more casual look, you can tie an oversized cardigan like an oversized scarf – although bear in mind that this style can get quite bulky and overwhelm smaller figures.

Creating Contrast With Color

The most obvious way to create contrast is to combine two cards of differing colors. To make the biggest impact, brighter colors will have the most effect. For more toned-down styling, opting for lighter colors has a much more subtle effect.

A more professional way to create contrast is through texture – try combining a smooth cardigan with one that’s more rough and textured. Alternatively, you could layering two different types of fabrics, such as cardigan over a blazer.