13 adorable short sleeved cardigans: perfect for older women

Here are 13 short-sleeved cardigans I think will look great on most of us older women. I know the models are young but don’t let that put you off!

Most of these styles are in the mid-season sales so not all sizes might be available when you click on the link (affiliate links below each image lead to the US site but all retailers sell worldwide). Use the links to start your search as most retailers have similar styles available as new stock comes in for Fall.

I’ve selected styles which highlight this year’s trends : textures especially cable knits; colors especially dark brown and reds; shorter lengths for summer through autumn.

Textured knitted cardigans

Cable knits are getting increasingly popular. Here’s a finer knit one from J Crew to tuck into a belt or wear open over a camisole top.

Dark chocolate brown is continuing its rise in popularity since it was introduced last year. I love this boucle fabric too. Personally, I’d wear a short pendant chain necklace with this V neck.

If you like a longer cardigan here’s a classic in golden yellow or, as here, in blue plaid. You can’t tuck it in but it makes a stylish top, worn alone or unbuttoned over a sleeveless tee. Note the longer length short sleeves which work well for us older women.

Lightweight cover-ups

This lilac top looks wonderful over jeans but you could easily wear it over a pleated midi skirt to a wedding. This is one of those items you’ll wear and wear.

Wear it just like this young model – over a strappy plain tee and a skirt or wide linen pants. A charming cover-up for your holiday by the sea or in a city.

This type of little cotton open cardigan is so useful. Wear it over a sleeveless summer dress for lunch on holiday or over a basic sleeveless tee and trousers at any time.

Feminine short-sleeved cardigans

A perfect little knitted jacket for a warm summer evening. Beautiful fresh color.

Pointelle knits are trending for warmer days. This lightweight cardigan gives a feminine touch when worn with jeans or a white midi skirt.

My favorite cardi from all the ones I’ve selected. Sezane does French-inspired clothes often with a feminine and romantic twist. It’s worth visiting the site just to see how careful styling and great photography can bring simple clothes to life.

Sporty, wear with jeans cardigans

Perfect for the holidays with shorts or jeans. An inexpensive addition to your French look capsule! H&M mainly cater to young women so be generous when you decide on a size. They also tend to crop quite short – fine if you are short as I am, but if you’re taller, check the length before buying. The models on the site are all very tall so note where the cardigan ends on them.

I bought this one. I love the sporty collar which goes so well with jeans. The dark chocolate color is great for September then right throughout the Fall and winter. I’m dying to wear it, and am already planning this color for my next capsule wardrobe.

A very wearable stripey cardigan, ideal for popping over jeans or wide linen pants.

A useful cardigan over pants but so wearable over a summer dress too. Leave the last buttons open if you have a top underneath. Fasten and tuck into a waistband or belt or leave the hem to lie softly over your waist. If your waist is large remember to buy a larger size.

Styling a short-sleeved cardigan

I used to wonder what the point of a knitted top with short sleeves was. Why have a warm body but cold arms? So, over the years I’ve collected very few short-sleeved cardigans. But I’ve had a bit of an epiphany. I’ve been looking at how the retailers show these tops and I’ve realized that a short-sleeved cardigan is a great piece of clothing for us older women.

Why do women over fifty or so look good in a short-sleeved cardigan? Well, first off, we generally prefer a sleeve once our upper arms get a bit jiggly.

A short sleeve tends to accentuate the width of your shoulders. This then makes the rest of you look a bit slimmer by comparison. If you have a small bust and slim waist then you can wear a short-sleeved cardigan that is quite fitted and you will get a beautifully proportioned inverted triangle silhouette.

Otherwise, I’d recommend a looser fitting. This will draw the eye to your shoulder line but not accentuate your avoirdupois around your middle. You’ll get a roughly rectangular silhouette.

Practice wearing the cardi open over sleeveless tanks or strappy camisole tops. Then experiment with which buttons to fasten – a lot of this will depend on your body shape. Then try the cardi on with your favorite pants and skirts. You can try a small center tuck at the waist, a full tuck all round, or these shorter cardis can be left to just drape naturally at your middle. Unless you have a great figure, which I don’t (!), then forget the bared waist that all the young models show.