Playing Dress Up: 2 Ways to Wear the Madewell Deville Cardigan Sweater

Madewell Deville cardigan sweater spring casual work outfit — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Madewell Deville cardigan sweater layered over linen dress — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Before I started my May style sudoku, I played dress up with another recent addition to my closet: the Madewell Deville cardigan sweater. (I previously played dress up with my Vetta Capsule lace button up blouse.) I’ve had this cardigan on my wish list since it debuted at Madewell last summer, and after missing out on it, I finally got the chance to add it to my wardrobe when it made a reappearance this spring. It’s the perfect cardigan to wear as a top! I styled it two ways keeping the same overall theme as last time—one way for work (if you work in a more casual environment like me) and one for play.

FOR WORK

Madewell medium Transport tote spring work outfit — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Madewell spring outfit: Deville cardigan sweater, skinny jeans in Wheeler wash, medium Transport tote — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

I looove this light color combination. The slightly cropped cardigan pairs perfectly with high-rise denim, and I pulled out my new light wash pair for the occasion. It’s made even springier with the pale pink sandals. My earrings and ear cuff tone down the sweetness a touch. This is definitely an outfit I’d wear to work, though I may trim those raw hems up a bit before I debut them in the office.

My trusty Madewell tote goes with me to the office every day, and since I haven’t actually been going into the office, it’s had a much-needed rest. I need to empty it out and give it a good clean/condition. That’s on my to-do list…which seems to be growing instead of shrinking!

While this cardigan isn’t the softest thing I own, it’s still comfortable to wear without another layer underneath. The texture will likely irritate your elbows if you’re like me and tend to rest on your elbows, haha. For reference, I purchased a size XS and am super happy with the fit—it’s just oversized enough to layer underneath.

OUTFIT DETAILS

Madewell cardigan / exact
Madewell jeans / exact
Everlane sandals / new version or similar
AUrate earrings c/o / exact (last seen here)
AUrate ear cuff c/o / exact (last seen here)
Madewell tote / exact
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in rose / exact

FOR PLAY

Casual spring weekend outfit with Deville cardigan sweater worn over a linen dress — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Casual spring weekend outfit with a cream cardigan layered over a green linen shift dress — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Madewell Deville cardigan sweater casual spring outfit — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

I struggled a little bit with how to style this cardigan for play. I wanted to style it with denim shorts initially, but I had worn denim shorts in my previous “playing dress up” post! Plus, I wore denim in the work outfit, so I decided that I needed to do something a little out of the box for this outfit. Denim is my crutch. I wear it with everything!

I love wearing cropped sweaters over dresses to make them look like skirts, and that was the look I was going for here. I do love how the dress peeks out from under the open top button, though! Since the cardigan has a swingy silhouette, I paired it with a shift dress that mimics the shape so they don’t compete with each other. I think I would have liked this better if the cardigan was a little more cropped, but it’s still something I’d wear out.

And what’s a weekend/off-duty look without a glass of wine? My (plastic) cup is actually filled with the strawberry rhubarb mimosa I pick up from a local restaurant every weekend. Yum!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Madewell cardigan / exact
Grana dress / old; similar from Nordstrom Rack
Earth sandals c/o / exact (last seen here)
ABLE earrings / exact
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in rose / exact