How to Choose the Perfect Oversized Cardigan for your body type

Finding the Perfect Oversized Cardigan

As winter approaches, there's no better time to cozy up in an oversized cardigan that combines comfort with elegance. Choosing the right cardigan for your body type can make all the difference in curating a stylish and flattering wardrobe. Whether you prefer a lightweight, breathable sweater for layering or a chunky knit cardigan to keep you warm, it's essential to select pieces that enhance your natural shape. Here's a guide to help you find the perfect oversized cardigan that works best for your body type—so you can enjoy all that the season has to offer in style.

Cropped & Cozy for

Short & Petite

The goal for a short and petite body type is to elongate your frame without overwhelming it. Too much fabric or overly bulky designs can make you appear shorter, so choosing cardigans that define your shape and adding vertical lines is essential.

Best Cardigan Styles:

  • Cropped, Short Cardigans: Look for cardigans that hit around your waist or just above your hips. This style helps elongate your legs, creating a balanced, proportional look.
  • Avoid Long, oversized cardigans that can swamp your frame.

Style Tip: The chunky oversized cotton wool knit cardigan is a cozy yet stylish option for petite frames. This cropped cardigan offers a slouchy, relaxed fit while staying flattering. Its open-front design makes it easy to layer, and the cotton-wool blend ensures warmth and comfort through the seasons.

Drapey & Collared for

Hourglass

For those with an hourglass shape—where the bust and hips are well-balanced, and the waist is defined—the key is to choose oversized cardigans that enhance your curves without hiding them. Look for designs that cinch or define the waist while offering a relaxed silhouette.

Best Cardigan Styles:

  • V-Neck or Collared Necklines: These necklines draw attention to your face and collarbones while slimming the upper body. They also help balance the proportions between your bust and waist.
  • Avoid High-neck or overly broad necklines that can obscure your natural shape.

Style Tip: The Zip-Up Sequin Cardigan is perfect for hourglass figures. Its collared neckline and flattering fit beautifully highlight your curves. Plus, the shimmering sequins add a touch of glamour, making itidealt for casual outings and more formal occasions.

Structure & Texture for

Rectangle

For a rectangular body shape, the focus is on creating curves and defining the waist. Since this body type often features a straight silhouette, adding texture and volume can help make the illusion of more defined curves.

Best Cardigan Styles:

  • Raglan or Dolman Sleeves: These sleeve styles add structure and volume to the upper body, creating a more balanced look.
  • Textured Details: Look for cardigans with ribbing, pleats, or patterns that add dimension and draw attention to your upper body.
  • Avoid Boxy, shapeless cardigans that can make the body appear more straight and undefined.

Style Tip: Our Heart Cardigan Ribbed Knit is an excellent choice for rectangle shapes. The ribbed detailing and textured hearts on the cardigan add visual interest and help to define your waist. It’s the perfect piece to add some flirtatious elegance to your wardrobe.

balanced & open for

triangle

A triangle (or inverted triangle) body type tends to have broader shoulders, a fuller bust, and narrower hips. The goal here is to soften the shoulders and create balance by adding volume to the lower half while drawing attention to the waist and hips.

Best Cardigan Styles:

  • Long, Open-Front Cardigans: These styles create vertical lines that elongate the torso, balancing out the broader shoulders.
  • Lightweight Fabrics: Look for cardigans made from lighter, drapey materials like cotton blends or cashmere that flow over your frame without adding bulk.
  • Avoid Structured cardigans with buttons or stiff fabrics that emphasize the shoulders.

Style Tip: The Ribbed Knit Open Cardigan is a versatile, breathable piece that drapes beautifully, creating a flattering silhouette for a triangle-shaped body. The open-front design ensures comfort and elegance, while the lightweight knit ensures it won’t add unnecessary volume to your body's top half.

Upper body attention for

Pear

Narrower shoulders and fuller hips characterize pear-shaped bodies. The key to flattering this shape is to balance the proportions by focusing on the upper body while providing a comfortable, flowing fit around the hips.

Best Cardigan Styles:

  • Structured Shoulders: Look for cardigans with some structure around the shoulders to add balance to the top half of your body.
  • Flowing, A-Line Fits: Choose cardigans that skim over the hips and thighs to avoid drawing attention to them.
  • Avoid Slouchy or excessively loose cardigans that make the upper and lower body disparity more pronounced.

Style Tip: The Multicolored Fur Collared Cardigan is an excellent choice for pear-shaped figures. The structured faux fur collar and open-front design help balance out the proportions, while the relaxed fit provides coverage without adding bulk to the hips.

V-Neck & Flowy for

Apple

For those with an apple body shape, where the midsection is broader, and the legs are lean, the goal is to draw attention upward and create a more defined silhouette. Open necklines like V-necks help elongate the neck and create a slimming effect.

Best Cardigan Styles:

  • V-Neck or Open Necklines: These styles help balance the midsection by drawing attention to the face and collarbones.
  • Soft, Flowing Fits: Choose cardigans that offer a relaxed fit throughout the body without clinging to the midsection.
  • Avoid High-neck or turtleneck cardigans, which can draw attention to the midsection.

Style Tip: The Black Cherry Comfy Cardigan is the perfect oversized sweater for apple-shaped bodies. Its V-neck design and lightweight knit create a flattering, elongated look, while the oversized sleeves add a touch of elegance. Pair it with jeans or leggings for an effortlessly chic look.

longline & dusters for

tall & athletic

For those with tall and athletic frames, the key is to find cardigans that complement their long limbs and robust features while adding softness and dimension to their silhouette. Tall figures can easily carry off longer cardigans without being overwhelmed.

Best Cardigan Styles:

  • Longline or Duster Cardigans: These styles provide length and emphasize your height, creating a balanced and flattering effect.
  • Soft, Drapey Fabrics: Opt for lightweight cardigans that flow smoothly over the body without losing their shape.
  • Avoid Short cardigans that end at the mid-waist, as they can shorten your overall look and break up your figure.

Style Tip: The Long Sleeve Kimono Cable Knit Cardigan is ideal for tall and athletic frames. Its bold cable knit design, wide sleeves, and oversized pockets offer warmth and stylish dimension, perfectly complementing a tall, lean figure.

Flatter Yourself with SAACHI Cardigans

No matter your body type, the perfect oversized cardigan can make all the difference in how you feel and look this winter. Whether you’re lounging at home, heading to the office, or going out for a casual outing, wearing a cardigan that suits your body type will boost your confidence and help you embrace your natural shape.

At SAACHI, every woman deserves to feel confident in her style. Our oversized cardigan sweaters for women include a variety of styles that cater to every body type, from casual long cardigans to knee-length cardigan sweaters and everything in between. Explore our latest collection for the perfect cardigan to elevate your winter wardrobe!

Our Story

Our founder, Rose Ajmera, transformed a passion for blending traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern fashion into a mission rooted in sustainability and cultural richness. Learn more about our commitment to authentic artistry and the artisans who bring our unique pieces to life.