Pregnancy Styling Tip: Long Cardigans FTW!

Shop Shannon’s Outfit

Outfit Details:

Cardigan: Cupcakes & Cashmere {2 left in size small (which is what I’m wearing) ON MAJOR SALE! Hurry before it sells out!; Also similar here & here} | Faux leather maternity leggings: Asos {buy here} | Top: Destination Maternity {buy here} | Booties: Vince Camuto {similar here, here, here & here} | Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff {buy here ON SALE! Other colors here (also on sale!), here, here, here & here} | Sunnies: Urban Outfitters {buy here; Karen Walker version here} | Necklace: BaubleBar {buy here} | Watch: Michael Kors {buy here}

Happy Thursday lovers and friends! Can I get an alright-alright-alright that tomorrow is Friyay? Wooooot! Ok. Let’s get down to biznass: last week I shared one of my go-to pregnancy styling tips in this post. This week I wanted to share another one with you: Long Cardigans. That’s it! That be the tip! Pretty revolutionary, amiright? Now allow me to explain why…

Why the long cardigans, you ask? It goes back to the concept I explained in this post about long vests, but the extra length of a long cardigan has a slimming effect. It’s great for covering any lumps or bumps that are not your cute little baby bump (i.e. the massive muffin top that insists on being a part of my life when I’m pregnant… and often when I’m not pregnant too, let’s be serious #awesome).
- Extra styling tip: if you’re someone like me who gains weight in their arms too when they’re pregnant, look for cardigans in lighter-weight fabrics as opposed to the super heavy knit ones. The knits can work too, but I’ve found that they sometimes add extra bulk to my arms, which ends up not being super flattering.
- Extra styling tip: as I’ve done in the outfit I’m wearing in this post, I would advise wearing body-hugging items with your long cardigans. Think a pair of leggings (a.k.a. this amaze balls faux leather pair I have on in this post) or skinny jeans on bottom and a form fitting shirt or tank on top. That way, you don’t add any extra bulk to the silhouette underneath your cardigan.
- Extra styling tip: make sure it’s long enough! I’d shoot for cardigans and sweaters that hit past your bum. That’s partly because of the elongating effect we’re going for, but it’s also because let’s be serious – prego ladies looooooove wearing them some leggings (I live in mine), and I shouldn’t have to tell you that wearing leggings with anything that isn’t long enough to cover that bum bum of yours is a huge NO NO. Don’t do it! I don’t care how tight your booty is, just don’t do it. Leggings aren’t pants – they’re leggings. And because of that, they really only look adorable (in my opinion) if you’re rocking them with something longer, like a tunic or a long sweater or cardigan. Don’t be that girl!
- Extra styling tip: spice up this look with your accessories and handbag. In all seriousness you guys, this really is my default ensemble when I’m pregnant. To keep it interesting and to fool people into thinking I tried, I just pile on the accessories and reach for a sexy handbag. It makes the look appear more polished and put together. Plus it’s an easy way to mix it up while still rocking the same silhouette every single day of your pregnant life.
Other reasons I love me a long cardigan (espesh while pregnant):
- It’s quick, easy, and versatile! I don’t know about you guys, but my motivation for getting dressed at all let alone investing much time in it dips to a rock-bottom low when I’m pregnant, so any quick and easy look that I can throw on and trust that it will look half-way decent is of high, high value. Plus, sweaters like this are highly versatile and in high supply, meaning you can find them at great prices. That means you can start a decent collection of them so that it’s easy to mix it up and rock this look in different ways over and over again.
- It’s comfy. Give me allllllllll the comfy clothes when I’m knocked up, right? This look definitely falls into that category. Cardigans in general tend to be cozy and comfy, and the longer ones are often the comfiest in my opinion!
- It’s super IN right now. With the return of the ‘duster’, there are so many adorable, long cardigans and sweaters to choose from out there. I’ve rounded up some of my favorites below. Shop your heart out.

Shop Long Cardigans

Ways I’ve Rocked This Look

(These are all from my Instagram feed (which you def should be following! #shamelessplug). You can shop all these looks HERE (& if you don’t have a liketoknow.it account, get one for goodness sake! Takes 2 seconds and makes shopping for specific items soooo much easier).