There are some fall styles that we love. And then there are some fall styles that we actually start begging the nice weather to go away simply so we can begin wearing them. Cardigans may just be one of those styles. Sure, there are many sweaters in your wardrobe that you should have, and most of them are even competitive with the classic aesthetic of the cardigan. But truly … there is nothing better than coming home after a long day of work, slipping off the work wear, pouring yourself a nice Old Fashioned, and slipping into your cozy cardigan for a book or a game. Just ask Mr. Rogers. Nobody did men’s cardigans better.
Now, if you have been reading here at The Manual for any amount of time, you know that not any cardigan will do; there are some that stand above the rest. And one of our favorite things to do here is help you find which ones those are. But before we can do that, we have to make sure you know how to wear these pinnacles of men’s sartorial excellence.
How to wear a cardigan
First things first, what is a cardigan? Simply put, it’s a sweater that closes in the front like a jacket instead of one you slip over your head. There are a lot of different kinds of cardigans but we tend to break them down into four categories:
- Chunky – This is a thick cardigan, typically cable knit or heavy wool. It can often take the place of a jacket in those transition months when it is too warm for a coat and too cold to go without. It’s also the best one for in the house as a cozy housecoat.
- Shawl collar – This cardigan almost looks like a sport coat. It often is a button-up version with a rolled collar that starts at the top button and circles the neck. This one works extremely well over a dress shirt and tie for a bit of a dressed-down look at the office. It also looks great on that Zoom call if you get caught with just a T-shirt on during your work-from-home day.
- Zip – The zip cardigan bridges the gap between the other two. It’s typically thicker than the others and feels natural to take the place of a jacket, thanks to the zip closing. And it has the flared collar at the top that can add a great frame on either side of a dress shirt collar.
- Mid-weight – This is the secret weapon of cardigans. It is light enough that you can wear it by itself over a T-shirt on a cool day, and it works amazingly as a layering piece. Over a dress shirt and under the sport coat — your outfit is now leveled up for the cooler days.
Getting the fit right is everything with cardigans (and pretty much everything else, right?). If you are picking up a chunky cardigan or a zip-up, feel free to get something a little roomy since you will likely be wearing this over other items. This is your outer layer in a lot of instances. The other two should be a little more fitted, since you will likely wear these as your primary top.
Now, on to the best of the best in each of the above categories.
Best chunky cardigan: Y.Chroma Power Cable Sweater
Y.Chroma founder, Max Israel, calls this sweater the one “your grandkids will fight over at your funeral.” That is a witty way to say this bad boy will be around longer than you will. And with the super soft Peruvian Pima cotton makeup, you may just want to get buried with it anyway. Who knows, if they find a way to bring you back, you don’t want to have to wrestle the grandkids to get it back. All jokes aside, the Pima cotton in this sweater does more than feel good, it will also keep you warm without suffocating you.
Best shawl collar cardigan: Filson Bristol Cardigan
If you’re a fisherman, you don’t need us to tell you that ribbed wool is the best way to stay warm and dry. This 100% wool option from Filson is one of the warmest you will find on the market. It also has the ability to absorb up to 30% of its own weight in water. Why is that important? Because you feel dry even when it’s wet. Here is a style tip for you when you put it on, leave the bottom button undone, a little nod to classic menswear etiquette while you look fantastic in an old-school icon.
Best zip cardigan: Aran Sweater Market Hand-Knit Zipper
Speaking of fishermen … the fishermen in Ireland know good sweaters. They may be where the whole trend started. But we digress. Aran Sweater Market has been outfitting fishermen and people like us who like to steal their style for longer than most sweaters have been around. This particular choice has traditional cable knit and diamond designs said to represent the fisherman’s ropes and nets. Also said to bring good luck and wealth. So, look good and prosper. or whatever Spock said.
Best mid-weight cardigan: Dandy Del Mar Castello Cardigan
Dandy Del Mar has become known for its devotion to quiet luxury. It has figured out how to make you feel like you are living in the lap of luxurious wealth without having to shell out the money for it. Here, they did it again with a cardigan that can be dressed up or down. And, of course, like any good mid-weight cardigan, it can be your statement piece or be worn in between two layers to add a little luxurious flare to your look.
Now that you have the best cardigans on the market, you can elevate the Mr. Rogers look, just don’t loan them to your neighbor because you may not get them back.
