By Ryan Patterson

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Who doesn’t love a soft, cozy sweater? A sweater is one of those wardrobe staples. (Even here in So Cal, where it’s warm and sunny most of the year, we get to break out the sweaters for our chilly nights.) But with so many new styles each season, the choices can get a little overwhelming.

A new fashion guide, from the editors of InStyle, comes to your wardrobe rescue! ‘The New Secrets of Style: Your Complete Guide to Dressing Your Best Every Day’ devotes an entire chapter to sweaters. And InStyle Senior Editor Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker shares her tried and true tips on sweater dressing.

LAYERING HOW-TO
Depending how chilly it is where you live, you’ll wear a sweater over something else, like a t-shirt, and possibly under something too, like a blazer. You’ll want to keep a few things in mind for comfort and style. V-necks look best over a shirt that has a defined collar to provide visual balance. A thin weave crewneck or turtleneck provides a simple foundation to wear under a blazer and top with a necklace or two. A cardigan can go over pretty much anything—from a silk button front to a cotton tank top—as long as it’s lightweight.

FLATTER YOUR SHAPE
Wide V-neck pullovers and cardigans in flat knits are best for curvy figures. If you have a small bust, look for wide collars and cowl necks. Super-chunky knits will overwhelm petite frames, so steer clear. Body-hugging scoopnecks flatter tall, boyish frames.

WORK THOSE CARDIGANS
Consider the cardigan a chic and comfortable alternative to a blazer—it can be worn with jeans, a skirt, suit pants, or even over a dress. But it’s also an opportunity to express your personal style. Pick one in a bold hue or argyle pattern. First Lady Michelle Obama wears this look expertly. If you want to wear a belt, as she so often does, opt for a sweater in a lightweight weave and figure-hugging cut. A few cardigan styles to suit your mood include:

The Boyfriend Cardigan: Long, loose and snuggly, it can be a bulky or thin weave and features an oversize V-neck and button front (double or single). Pair with, what else? Boyfriend jeans rolled up to the ankle and high heel booties for a sexy touch.

The Grandpa Cardigan: Thick or thin weave, this cardigan hits at or below the hips, always features a shawl collar and generally has two front pockets. A more structured alternative to the Boyfriend Cardigan, this version is a polished stand-in for a jacket when paired with suit pants or a pencil skirt.

The Traditional Cardigan: This collarless button-down sweater in any number of fabrics (wool, cashmere, silk blend) can feature a round or V-neck. It’s not uncommon to see detailing on traditional cardigans such as beading around the collar, ribbon sewn down the button front and stylized buttons. Dress it up or down: a vibrant-hued silk blend with embellishment could work for night with a metallic pencil skirt or for a weekend brunch when paired with skinny jeans.

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