14 Best Yellow Cardigan Ideas To Brighten Up Your Look

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Crystal Schwanke

Dedicated Couturiere at Stylelisty

Crystal Schwanke is a freelance writer, blogger, and author who loves to try new things—from coffees to makeup techniques, workouts to mindset hacks. Her mission in life is to write about the things that will bring a little more joy and peace to her readers’ lives. When she’s not writing or researching something new, you can find her hanging out with her husband, daughter, and rescued pit bull named Josephine (probably watching TV shows from the 90s).

Latest posts by Crystal Schwanke (see all)

• The Best Women’s Argyle Sweater Ideas - December 13, 2021
• 14 Best Yellow Cardigan Ideas To Brighten Up Your Look - November 20, 2021
• 6 Best Balloon Sleeve Sweater Ideas For A Comfy Look - November 18, 2021

The best yellow cardigan ideas are having a moment right now, thanks to all the cardigan styles there are to choose from as well as the popular pairing of relaxed, cozy style and a return of bright colors to the fashion scene.

I chose the best yellow cardigan ideas based on their versatility. I wanted cardigans that would flatter the most skin tones and body types, as well as transition well from season to season and from one occasion to the next. Ideally, the sweater would pair well with any wardrobe, too, regardless of color palette or style.

Of course, they needed to appear well-made, as well. I relied on reviews as well as my own experience shopping for sweaters from these stores. Interesting features, like pockets, also influenced my decisions.

Types and Shades of Yellow Cardigans

When you’re looking for the best yellow cardigan ideas, you have options.

Types

You can find yellow cardigans in any of the usual cardigan styles, though some shades may be easier to find in certain styles (cropped or classic in a bright yellow and mustard in a long cardigan style, for example). Here are some of the options you may want to look for when you’re expanding your wardrobe to include a yellow cardigan.

Open-Front Cardigan

These are usually longer and cozy, often knitted with chunky yarn, though not always. Pair it up with anything from a tee and jeans to a casual dress.

Zipped Cardigan

This makes a good, more dressed-up (usually), option to take the place of a standard zip-up hoodie. You’ll often see these with hoods, too, for extra warmth. In most cases, these will end around mid-hip or higher.

Waterfall Cardigan

Cozy, flowy, and open, this is a cuddly style that looks great with dresses because of the extra length and feminine detail. You can always wear them with your tees and jeans or leggings, too, though. They’re usually on the longer side, so this type will cover your backside (helpful if you’re worried about keeping it covered when you’re wearing leggings). They’ll usually end around the bottom of the hips or mid-thigh.

Classic Cardigan

You know the type. Buttons end at the waist or mid-hip. Looks cute over a dress with a fitted bodice (skirt type doesn’t matter–it all works) or t-shirt. It can go just about anywhere and you can probably find these in just about any shade of yellow. Pearls optional.

Hooded Cardigan

You can find hoods on zip-up cardigans, waterfall cardigans, and cardigans of all lengths. It’s an extra layer of warmth and coziness, but these are generally designed to accompany more casual clothing choices, so while you might wear it over a casual dress or tank and leggings, you probably will want to choose something else for special work events, for example. This one’s not quite as versatile as a classic cardigan, but it’s cozier.

Belted Cardigan

If you have an hourglass shape you want to play up or you’re looking to create the illusion of curves (or you just like for your slouchier, cozier cardigans to stay in place), a belted cardigan–with or without buttons or a hood–could be the way to go. These work well over dresses where you may feel like you need to rein some of the material back in and hold layers closer to your body.

These often have chunkier knits, but that’s not always the case. Other features you can expect: open front, crossover style, deep front pockets (I especially love this one, but pockets aren’t always available!), and longer lengths that at least hit at the lower hip.

Cropped Cardigan or Shrug

Cropped cardigans will end at or above the waist and they’re a fun way to add an extra layer of color to an outfit (so they’re perfect if you’re loving the idea of a neon yellow cardigan) even if you don’t necessarily need to add a lot of warmth. If you do need the extra warmth, these can be layered under a jacket (leather or denim, for example) because they tend to be fairly thin.

Wear a cropped cardigan with a dress (skirt style doesn’t matter) or almost any kind of tee/blouse and bottom pairing. They’re versatile, fitted, and often have buttons or zippers to keep them closed.

Long Cardigan

These can hit anywhere from below the hips to the ankle. They can have hoods and/or belts, but they’re usually open in the front (other than a belt). These can work well with leggings, tees, and ankle boots; they also complement fitted dresses as well as blouses and slacks.

Cardigans on the longer end of the spectrum tend to be made from thinner fabrics and tighter knits so they skim the shape of the body rather than adding a lot of extra weight and bulk (visually or literally).

Shades

There are different shades of yellow to suit a range of skin tones and personality types. In general, yellow is best on warm-toned skin, but pairing certain yellow shades with neutrals or cool-toned shirts, dresses, or scarves can increase your odds of looking beautiful in yellow even if your skin is neutral- or- cool-toned.

Mustard/Honey/Amber

These are the muted shades of yellow with a touch of brown. They’re perfect when you want to wear a yellow sweater without standing out too much. If “loud” clothing isn’t for you but you’re warm-toned and yellow is one of your favorite colors, try one of these. They look beautiful with deep, rich shades like burgundy, navy, and forest green. Even some shades of purple look stunning next to mustard, honey, or amber cardigans.

Neon/Lemon

Love to stand out in the crowd? A neon or lemon-colored cardigan should be on your list. You can wear these with clear, bold colors like royal blue or emerald green, but they pop on top of neutrals like light gray, charcoal, and black, too. A bright yellow cardigan is a good way to liven up an otherwise boring outfit.

Primary Yellow/Canary

Basic yellow may sound underwhelming amid honey, lemons, neons, mustards, etc. However, it could be perfect. If you’re a yellow fan but have trouble pulling it off some of the other shades, this basic primary shade may be the solution. It also pops against neutrals and clear, bold shades just like the others.

Primary yellow, or canary yellow, is one of the more versatile shades of yellow, so if you want something that’s not quite so understated it blends in, but you’re not really a neon yellow kind of person, and you do love the idea of a yellow cardigan you can throw on over almost anything, try on a basic, primary yellow one.

Pastel Yellow

If you’re fair-skinned and find yellow cardigans to seem overwhelming against your coloring, a pastel yellow could work. These are often overlooked in favor of shades of yellow associated with fall, like mustard, or the brighter shades that come to mind when you hear the word yellow.

Pair pastel yellow with pale blue, white, light denim, and even gray. Experiment with other pastel shades for your top and any accessories.

The Best Yellow Cardigan Ideas to Try

Here are some of the best yellow cardigan ideas to try when you want to update your wardrobe with new ways to keep warm, help your summer clothes transition into fall, and add a little sunshine to your closet:

Loose Knit Cardigan

This loose-knit cardigan from H&M is the perfect shade of buttery yellow and it’s light enough to flutter on the breeze, perfect for adding color without a lot of warmth (great for warmer fall days or cooler spring days).

Pros

• Inexpensive at under $15.00
• Not such a bright shade that it will feel too overpowering (for anyone’s coloring or occasions)
• Made from recycled materials

Cons

• Probably too lightweight to add much warmth, but the length will keep it from being layerable under other jackets
• Doesn’t close and doesn’t have a belt, so it’s really unlikely to help you stay warm
• Size range is limited to XS to XL

Short Cardigan

This short cardigan, also from H&M, has some interesting features that make it stand out in a crowd of yellow cardigans.

Pros

• Cropped style will be versatile enough to work with all kinds of dresses, tops, and bottoms
• Soft yellow shade is as close to universally flattering as yellow can get
• Reasonably priced at about $40.00
• Scoop neck and hook-and-eye closures make this more visually interesting than most other cardigans on the market

Cons

• More expensive than some other options
• Cropped style won’t be flattering on as many body types as other cardigan styles might be
• Sizing only goes from XS to XL

Women’s Button-Front Ribbed Cropped Cardigan

This cardigan by Wild Fable, available at Target, will introduce a burst of color your wardrobe might be craving. It has a generally classic style, but with a collar. It’s just slightly cropped and relaxed, so even though it has buttons, it’s not exactly “buttoned-up” like the classic cardigan styles associated with scoop-neck twin sets and pearls. Though if you do happen to like the twin set look, there’s a rib-cropped sweater tank to match.

Pros

• Modern twist on a classic
• Bright color stands out
• Cropped without exposing too much skin, so it can still help keep you warm
• Inexpensive at $25.00
• Available in XS to 4X

Cons

• This particular shade of yellow isn’t as flattering on as many skin tones as some other shades
• Some people may find it too relaxed or slouchy for the shorter length

Women’s Duster Cardigan

This women’s duster cardigan by Universal Thread is on the longer side, with pockets, in a muted strawlike yellow shade.

Pros

• Inexpensive at around $30.00
• Longer length will be flattering on most body types
• Sizes from XS to 4X
• It has pockets
• Can be dressed up or down
• This shade of yellow is soft enough to flatter a variety of skin tones and be worn anywhere

Cons

• Open front may be an issue for some

Striped V-Neck Pocket Cardigan

If you love stripes and want a yellow cardigan that’s a little more exciting than the typical solid color, you’ll love this striped v-neck pocket cardigan from Loft.

Pros

• Stripes not only add visual interest but break up the bright yellow to make it seem softer in color overall
• It has pockets
• Tunic length is flattering without being overwhelming

Cons

• It’s one of the more expensive ones on the list at just under $80.00
• Limited sizes available

a.Jesdani Women’s Button Down Crew Neck Knit Cardigan Sweater

The a.Jesdani sweater is available in bright primary yellow and mustard, so you can choose between the two if you like this classic knit button-up style.

Pros

• Available in two shades of yellow
• Mustard shade is available in scoop neck or v-neck style
• Well-made, according to the reviews
• Classic style goes with everything
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Some reviewers mentioned that the sizing can be off, so skim reviews before placing an order to make sure you order the right one
• Some people may find this style too basic and boring for what they need

MEROKEETY Women’s Long Sleeve Cable Knit Sweater

The MEROKEETY sweater is available in mustard yellow. It has buttons and a v-neck style, and it hits just below the hips.

Pros

• Flattering length
• Pockets
• Cozy, but fitted enough so as not to look too slouchy
• Interesting, chunky cable knit

Cons

• Expensive, compared to most others on the list
• Only one shade of yellow is available
• Only available in Small to XX-Large

How to Style Yellow Cardigans

So now you know you’d like to have a yellow cardigan in your closet, but how should you wear it? Here are some of my favorite ways:

Pastel yellow cardigans look right at home when paired up with a white tee and relaxed jeans, as lilyinterrupted shows us. Keep the casual vibe going with your favorite pair of sneakers.

Red may not be the first color that comes to mind when you start thinking about how to best wear a yellow cardigan, and what to wear it with. However, consider this pairing of a white top, yellow cardigan, red pants, and chunky accessories from weekenddoll:

How about a burgundy playsuit with a yellow cardigan for an unexpected pairing? This one’s also from weekenddoll:

You can use a yellow cardigan to add a pop of color to a black crop and black jeans combo, as danny_1518 shows us here:

A long yellow cardigan adds an element of warmth and coziness to a shorts-and-top combo and makes the perfect segue from summer to fall, as shown by behindherglasses_. The pattern on the shorts adds some visual interest to a neutral outfit, then the cardigan ties everything together:

A lemon yellow, slouchy-but-classic cardigan makes a statement when it’s tucked into a patterned skirt and paired with a lace-lined cami and boots. Seenonsarah shows us here:

Pop a classic pale yellow cardigan on top of a soft blue dress with a flared skirt for a look that works in the fall or spring, as demonstrated by historyteacherstyle:

What Else You Should Know About Yellow Cardigans (FAQs)

My Top Yellow Cardigan Recommendations

There are so many beautiful yellow cardigans to buy out there, but I think if I had to choose an absolute favorite, it would be the MEROKEETY cable knit one, available at Amazon.

Its length is flattering on most body types–not too long or too cropped–and the cable knit gives it visual interest without requiring a busy pattern.

The shade of yellow makes it versatile enough to work with muted or neutral tones, and it can go just about anywhere.

Recommended Reads:

• 5 Stunning Sequin Blazer Picks For A Bold Outfit
• 6 Best Chunky Cardigan Ideas
• 7 Brown Sweater Ideas and Inspiration