Are Sweater Sets and Twin Sets Dated? Depends...

Tina, here.

April can be a finicky month as we all know. Which makes layering all the more necessary. Layering is a brilliant way to dress when it's chilly in the mornings and evenings and hot during the day. And sweater sets and twin sets may be the most brilliant layering technique ever.

Sweater sets and twin sets? As in June Cleaver? Yes and no.

You have to be reeeeeaaallly careful when wearing a sweater set so you don't look dated. We created a video of me talking you through the cool ways to wear sweater sets, and of course how not to wear them. Style Vault Insiders, log in to see it now!

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But yes, sweater sets. Here's how to wear them:

1. To be cool, sweater sets must be fitted. No trendy oversizing here.

Fitted armholes are a must, and major points if you score a v-neck cardigan.

Pairing your sweater sets with white jeans brings them into spring and out of fall and winter.

2. As the day warms up, go Nantucket-style and tie the cardigan around your neck.

Keep the knot looooow and loose, not right under your chin. I didn't even tie a knot, just one loop. A knot right up under your chin is the old-school, preppy way to wear a cardigan. Lower is more modern. Less bulk around your chin and neck. It's the little things, dolls.

3. Wear your cardigan open (if and only if it is fitted); otherwise fasten only the button in the middle to pull you in at the waist and create an hourglass.

Open can be casual and a little elegant, but only if your sweater set is a bit of a shrunken fit. If it's too baggy and loose, you'll create the illusion of being larger because there will be so much more volume.

Find where you want your waist to be, and then fasten the button right there. I'm high-waisted, so I also buttoned one button lower than my true waist. This creates balance and proportion.

And don't button the top button. That's just too 1950's costume-y. My cashmere tank is the same one as below, and comes in many colors.

I like mixing and matching cardigan and shell sets, too. But only with neutrals. Cardigans and sweater sets need to feel sophisticated, which neutrals help with, so they don't look too vintage in the wrong way.

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Here are a few more ways I like wearing sweater sets and twin sets. Shop early before items sell out!




Layering is a tricky business, so keep the volume down and your colors sophisticated, and you'll be the modern Audrey Hepburn (or Katharine for that matter!).

Thanks for reading!

Best,

Tina

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