Ah, yes … sweater weather is upon us. If you’ve been struggling in the heat and are as excited as we are about the disappearing of the sun and the appearing of the leaves, fall foliage, and autumn pumpkin spice, then you, too, are jumping at the chance to brew some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, find a spooky movie to watch, and, of course, we think of clothing at a time like this — so throw on your favorite sweater. But what kind of sweater? Is it a pullover or a cardigan? Do you have a preference?
Well we love a good debate, so how about we decide once and for all — pullover sweaters vs. cardigans? We will, of course, make a case for each.
The case for a sweater?
Let’s start by saying this: Sweaters are less of a single style of clothing and more of a category. That is, any upper-body garment that’s made from a knitted fabric, rather than a woven one, is a sweater. And it doesn’t matter the neckline — crewneck, V-neck, turtleneck, roll neck, and shawl collar are all options — or the pattern or design, so long as it’s knitwear and you sport it on your torso, then it’s a sweater.
But why should you choose one of these options over a cardigan? Well, ease is one. When you’re ready to start watching a movie, going to a movie, reading a book, going to the grocery store, a good sweater is the easy option to simply throw on and get going. They are a more comfy version of the ratty sweatshirt. And they take a jeans and sneakers look to a new level — a level your partner won’t likely give you a hard time for. So, a sweater is a pretty solid option.
How to style a sweater
Sweaters are going to be your best friend through the fall and winter. They keep you warm without the bulky immovability of a coat. They come in all sorts of styles and cuts that can turn virtually any getup into a top-notch outfit. Here’s how you can style a sweater from the most casual night to the dressy night out.
- Casual – One of the most casual looks for the summer months is the T-shirt and jeans. It screams casual, laid-back vibes. To keep the same approachable demeanor, put a plain crew-neck sweater over the tee or on its own and you are ready to leave the house. If you want flare, use one with a roll-neck collar.
- Smart or business casual – Chinos or dress pants are great for the office, and so is a sweater. However, to keep this from looking boring, wear a crew-neck sweater under a sport coat and let the sweater dress down the dressier dress shirt option. This keeps you warmer and stylish.
- Dress – Don’t ditch the dress shirt now. Wear a dress shirt under the sweater. Use a V-neck sweater so you can show off the dress shirt. Wear this under a suit or a sport coat. If you want to have fun with it, swap the bottoms out for a pair of dark dress denim for an elevated casual Friday.
However …
What about a cardigan?
The case for the cardigan
Here’s the thing: A cardigan, technically speaking, is a sweater. Since a sweater is a category and cardigans are a knitted fabric and not a woven one, a cardigan is a sweater. The biggest difference is the button-up front. When you think of a cardigan, you likely think of Mr. Rogers or the old man down the road who wears it to get his mail on chilly mornings. This is a mistake as the cardigan is a great substitute for a lot of other garments.
It’s a more comfortable option than your suit coat or sport coat. It’s a more elevated option than your pullover. And it can even be a mid-layer between your dress shirt and your suit coat if it’s the right weight. Plainly speaking, the cardigan could be the unsung hero of your closet.
How to style a cardigan
There are many ways to wear a cardigan, and they can span the areas between ultra casual to dressed up. Here are some ways you can style them to help you nail the cardigan look.
- Casual—When you get home from work, try getting into your jeans or comfortable pants and a tee. Then throw a chunky cardigan over everything and see if your world doesn’t change. You may start wanting to smoke cigars or a pipe in your den while you read Dickens, so be warned.
- Smart casual – Swap the jeans out for some chinos and Chelsea boots. Swap the tee out for a light sweater or a sport shirt. Then the cardigan becomes the element that takes this look from business casual to smart casual. Wear it to the movies, wear it to a first date, or wear it to the office. If you’re feeling adventurous, find a solid knit tie and elevate it further.
- Dress – In the above scenario, you are wearing the cardigan like a sport coat. You can do that here with a dress shirt, tie, and dress pants. Or you can use a thinner, lightweight cardigan as a mid-layer. Treat it more like a vest you would wear with a suit and wear it over a dress shirt and under a suit. The best way to make this look great is to complement it with your tie and not your suit.
Now, we’ve made the case for both. Which one will you go with?
