Guide to the right outfit for your body shape

Who among us doesn't have a long cardigan or maxi cardigan in their closet? But despite what you might think, choosing the right combination of styles and shapes when you do choose to wear one isn't always easy. Since it's a key piece in my easy-chic wardrobe, as well as in my Mela Wedding collection this year, I thought you might appreciate a guide to outfitting yourself with this gorgeous piece.
I admit, I love wearing a long cardigan. I find it comfortable and very intimate. I'm not using this adjective casually, because the intimacy a cardigan gives me is that of my home and my afternoons spent writing this blog and countless other articles for countless editorial staff.
How do you prefer it: long or short? Loose or fitted? And which yarn do you choose for your body type? Let me know in the comments. If you don't have a clear answer to these questions, I suggest you simply keep reading. These choices are anything but obvious and all depend on your body shape and the occasion.

Choosing your outfit for formal occasions…

The cardigan is a loosely structured, comfortable, and casual piece. If you're wearing it for a day at the office or a client meeting, you definitely need to dress it up or down, so pair it with structured pieces. A good choice might be a suit, a blazer, or even a pair of men's-cut trousers. By coordinating your shirt and cardigan, you can play on contrast or create a "twin set" effect, with a knit cardigan and a silk shirt in the same color—tres-chic.

…or for a dinner or an aperitif with friends

A soft, warm maxi cardigan can also be useful if you decide to wear a summer dress that's become too light or too short for this beautiful autumn. This way, your favorite summer minidresses can continue to be a go-to for your evening out, even when the temperatures drop. And have you ever worn one with a pair of knee-high socks? Very sexy indeed.
It's also incredibly fun to mix and match patterns and colors with a solid cardigan. Or, conversely, you can choose a dress in natural or nude tones and opt for the whimsical touch of a long cardigan in a myriad of colors, in a mix of patterns so popular with fashion bloggers.

High heels or low heels?

The cardigan can be worn with either high heels or flats, loafers, or Duilio pumps. The choice depends solely on the desired effect of your overall look. It can be worn with a midi skirt and high heels or boots, or with a mermaid dress and flats like ballet flats, giving the overall look a romantic and feminine tone.
For a casual look, the shape of your jeans makes a big difference. If your cardigan is baggy, oversized, or made of a thick yarn, it's a good idea to pair skinny jeans with sneakers or a pair of high-heeled ankle boots . If your jeans are baggy, or even palazzo, it's best to pair them with a cardigan made of a thin, flowing yarn.

The right cardigan for every body shape

As the saying goes, it's not the body that should adapt to the dress, but the dress that should adapt to the body. And this principle always holds true, even when we're talking about garments that already have a relaxed attitude in their DNA. If you have a slim figure, with petite curves, it's interesting to wear a cardigan in a chunky yarn, with even elaborate handcrafted details. This will demonstrate your aptitude for sophistication.
If you have a large stomach and bust, the suggestion is to avoid thick knits and opt for plain knits and thin yarns. Cashmere , silk, and mohair , for example, are my favorite choices because I belong to the wonderful curvy category, and the advice is obviously also addressed to you. Furthermore, if you have a large stomach as well as a large bust, it's advisable to wear the cardigan open so as not to emphasize the waist or pull on the breasts. On the other hand, if your body shape is hourglass-shaped with very rounded curves, it's extremely sensual to wear a long cardigan with a tight belt to highlight your wasp-like waist. But how to pair a cardigan with a belt in winter? The ideal is to choose a medium or wide belt, so as to better define the waist and ensure you don't go unnoticed if you're wearing a knitted cardigan.
As you can see, there is a lot to talk about cardigans, and I invite you to have your say!!!!

Emanuela