Inspired by Curly Crafty Mom: Pairing a Colorblock Cardigan with a Pattern

December 3, 2020 / 26 Comments
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Color blocking is making a fashion comeback this season in a big way. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it is basically exactly what it sounds like…blocks of color. Traditionally in fashion, a color blocked outfit would consist of multiple (at least two) solid colored pieces in different but complementary colors. Usually the hues chosen for a color blocked look would be bright and bold shades, but it can certainly also be done using darker colors or even neutrals. In general, prints and patterns are not included in a color blocked outfit because it would draw away from the color blocking effect.

But general fashion rules are meant to be used only as guidelines. There is not a style rule written anywhere that I am not inclined to break. As many fashion lovers know, rules are meant to be broken and style is very personal. So while it may be important to understand why certain things go together or why they don’t, it is also important to have the confidence to choose for yourself and wear whatever makes your heart smile.

I have long been a fan of bold, bright color blocked outfits, but I also adore all prints and patterns. So why can’t you combine the two things into one outfit? Well, you can, obviously.

One of the big color blocking trends that I am seeing on lots of my favorite bloggers is long cardigans broken into huge panels of different colors. Just go to Amazon and type in the search “color blocked cardigans for women” (or just click that link) and pages of results will be returned to you. Some of them may look more like striped cardigans, but the larger the width of the stripes, the closer it comes to being color blocked.

color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Back in October, Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom shared her new color blocked cardigan from Amazon in her post, Pairing a Color Blocked Cardi w/ a Pattern. As you can see, Carrie’s cardigan is color blocked in beautiful neutrals and bold fall hues. But she took the color blocking game to the next level by layering it over a gorgeous snake print blouse.

Her post reminded me of a few color blocked long cardigans that I had hanging in my closet, mostly unworn because I have recently gotten off the long cardigans in favor of cozy pullover sweaters because my entire core is always cold. Open front sweaters don’t seem to help me much in the warmth department. But we experienced a very mild autumn in the North Country and so I had plenty of beautiful days to style my color blocked cardigan.

Curly Crafty Mom in color blocked cardigan
Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
Curly Crafty Mom and Shelbee on the Edge

My cardigan is color blocked in neutral shades of black, gray, tan, and ivory. It is by Cabi and I found it in a thrift shop a few years ago. I have worn it a few times but this is the first time I photographed it. I didn’t have a snake print blouse, so I carried my thrifted snake print bag instead. And while Carrie opted for skinny jeans, which always look fantastic with a long cardigan, I went for a 70’s vibe with wide leg denim. I found these Bugle Boy jeans on a recent thrifting adventure, new with tags, and I needed to take them out for a spin.

Remember Bugle Boy jeans? They were super popular in the 1980’s. I remember them being marketed as high end denim, otherwise known as jeans that I couldn’t afford. During the 1980’s, Bugle Boy sales approached the $1 billion mark making them one of the largest privately owned apparel companies in the United States. They filed for bankruptcy and closed all of their stores in 2001. Now the only place you will find the Bugle Boy brand is in second hand shops. And I was thrilled to find these cool jeans for a throwback style.

But now let’s allow Bugle Boy to rest peacefully in its grave while we appreciate how fabulous Carrie is and what a beautiful light she is in this little blogging community. I have been linking up with Carrie and Jill of Doused in Pink every week for about five years for their Thursday Fashion Files link party. Over the course of five years, bloggers really do get to know each other.

color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Carrie began her blogging journey in 2008 as a creative outlet to share her crafting ideas as well as her passion for style. She shares all sorts of enticing recipes, home decorating ideas, travel posts, and of course, her personal fashion. She is a lifelong resident of St. Louis where she currently lives with her husband and two beautiful children. Carrie loves pinot noir and cheese and fruit platters, but she also is an avid runner so she can eat all the cheese she wants! You can read more about Carrie’s favorite passions here.

I have collaborated with Carrie a few times over the years. I co-hosted Thursday Fashion Files back in 2017 (here) and Carrie joined us for The Fab 40’s this past January for our 1920’s theme (here). I can say from my personal experience that she is an absolute joy to work with.

Her enthusiasm is rivaled by none, she approaches challenges fearlessly and with so much class and poise, she is kind and friendly and ever ready to deliver a sincere compliment or heartfelt words of wisdom. In short, Carrie is one of the really good ones out there in this crazy world. And I couldn’t be more grateful to include her in my circle of amazing blogging buddies.

color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
color blocked cardigan, long cardigan, flared denim, beret, 70's inspired outfit, snake print bag, white ankle boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

If you don’t already follow Carrie, you can find Curly Crafty Mom on Bloglovin’, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, SnapChat, and Twitter. You will not be disappointed with all of the fabulous inspiration you will find!

Have you tried the color blocking trend yet? Were you inspired by a blogger friend? Who has been inspiring you lately?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Shop my look…

Outfit Details: Cardigan-Thrifted (Cabi) / Jeans-Thrifted (Bugle Boy) / Bag-Thrifted (No brand) / Turtleneck and Gloves-Target (Old) / Boots-MIA (Old) / Hat-Wona Trading / Earrings, Necklace, and Brooch-Old / Coat-Talbots (Really Old) / Scarf-Torrid (Old)

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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