Since 2002, Style Expert Bridgette Raes has transformed wardrobes for hundreds of clients. She is president of the Bridgette Raes Style Group in New York and author of the book “Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want”. Bridgette is also Coolibar’s go-to stylist. Each week, she features one closet staple on her style blog and pairs it with five different outfits for her segment: One Item, Five Fashionable Ways. In honor of New York Fashion Week, we asked Bridgette to use her expert eye and style the Coolibar Vera Coastal Wrap.
For this week’s One Item, Five Fashionable Ways, sun protection clothing company Coolibar asked me if I was interested in featuring one of their pieces for this post. The choice was mine as to which item I would showcase and I instantly picked their Vera Coastal Wrap. I own this cardigan and love it because it is not just easy and figure flattering, but it is soft, SO soft, in their modal/spandex SUNTECT® fabric. I’m not kidding when I say it may be the softest, most comfortable fabric I have ever had on my body.
Cardigans are no-brainer pieces that every wardrobe should have as functional outfit finishers. On a cool night they give you warmth. Feel shy showing your arms, they offer shy arms security and for a professional-work environment, they replace a jacket.
To get the most out of a cardigan, I like to make sure I have an ample supply of neutral colored ones which is why I chose to style the Vera Wrap Cardigan in Coolibar’s taupe shade– a versatile layering piece in a versatile color. Check out the five ways I style this cardigan for some outfit inspiration and tips on how to incorporate a cardigan into your wardrobe
Five Coolibar Cardigan Outfits
Look #1
When an outfit is based entirely in neutrals, like this cardigan look with khaki pants by Vince Camuto and a boat neck top by Modcloth, you have free range to bring in pops in any colors you like. Because it’s so trendy and popular at the moment, and because these colors go so well with taupe, I decided to go with pink and tangerine and chose these two-tone Sperry ballerinas and necklace by Stella & Dot. To complete the look, and for some sunny brightness, I chose an orange Fossil handbag and flowery studs also from Stella & Dot.
Look #2
If you’re are going to buy and wear colored casual pants this fall, investing in a neutral colored cardigan is a great idea as it will work with all of the colored bottoms you purchase. Here I chose to pair Coolibar’s cardigan with an eggplant pair of Boden skinny pants and layered an Anthropologie printed tank underneath. The look is finished with a versatile pair of grey rhinestone ballerinas by Sperry, a purple pair of statement earrings by Blu Bijoux and, for a third punch of color, a grey and yellow handbag from R+J Handbags to make the whole look casually colorblocked for fall.
Look #3
To bring your summer tanks into fall, a cardigan is a great choice. Plus, remember, all Coolibar clothing offers 50+ UVA and UVB sun protection. With their Vera Coastal Wrap you can give yourself some coverage while still wearing a flimsier top, like this one by Zara. Once Labor Day arrives, don’t assume that you don’t need sun protection. The sun is still shining and you should still be thinking about shielding yourself from the rays of the sun when necessary.
This cardigan works well with a pair of jeans, like this boyfriend style by Levi’s. Pop the look with a bright shoe, like coral wedges by Seychelles, to pull in the colors of the print, along with Furla’s navy handbag and Privileged Gold coral earrings.
Look #4
A cardigan is a great way to bring a summer dress into fall or to layer some warmth at the office. This flattering print dress by Eliza J. has tones of the taupe right in the print, along with coral. Wanting to maximize all the items used in this post, I chose the same coral wedges and earrings from the previous look. The last component is an off white handbag by Melie Bianco.
Look #5
This cardigan is easy with a pair of camel pants, like these cotton trousers from Ann Taylor. I layered Modcloth’s pink top underneath and used the handbag and shoes from previous looks in this outfit as well. The outfit is finished with a Trina Turk disc necklace, Michael Kors studs and Cole Haan skinny metallic belt.
Learn more about the Bridgette Raes Style Group
Bridgette is hosting a shopping party to benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation, and you’re invited. Learn more.
Shop the Coolibar UPF 50+ Vera Coastal Wrap.
