Men's Cardigans
For a long time, men's cardigans had an image problem: too sensible, too cosy, too much like a lazy Sunday afternoon. That has changed completely. Today, the cardigan is one of the most versatile pieces in a man's wardrobe – casual over a T-shirt, smart over a shirt and often the only jacket you need between seasons.
Our collection includes men's cardigans with V-necks, polo collars, shawl collars and stand-up collars, mostly in relaxed fits, plain colours or textured knits. Here we explain the differences and help you choose the right cardigan for every occasion.
What exactly is a cardigan?
A cardigan is a knitted jacket that opens at the front, traditionally with buttons and a V-neck. Its name comes from James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, who wore a buttoned knitted wool waistcoat in the 19th century. The garment was named after him, and the cardigan has been a wardrobe classic ever since.
The collar makes the difference in men's cardigans
The neckline is what most influences the look of a cardigan. Our collection features four styles:
- V-neck: The classic cardigan. Smart and polished, it lets your shirt collar or T-shirt show and is a great choice for the office.
- Polo collar: A cardigan with a small folded collar. Slightly sportier than a V-neck but still well dressed – ideal for smart casual outfits.
- Shawl collar: A wide, rounded collar that wraps around the neck like a scarf. It adds warmth and gives the cardigan a particularly relaxed, premium feel.
- Stand-up collar: A high-neck cardigan that covers your neck and helps block the wind. The more rugged, sporty option for chilly days.
One often-overlooked detail is the buttons. Quality horn or leather-look buttons can instantly elevate a simple cardigan.
Relaxed fit: how should a men's cardigan sit?
Most of our cardigans have a relaxed fit. It suits the current trend for easy silhouettes and makes a cardigan a comfortable layer over a shirt or T-shirt. With relaxed cuts, the shoulder seam often sits a little lower – that's intentional. Even so, the hem should finish just below your belt. Unless you're quite tall, long cardigans can make your proportions look shorter. And one traditional rule still applies: leave the bottom button undone.
How do men style a cardigan?
For business casual, wear a navy, grey or black V-neck cardigan over a shirt with tailored trousers or chinos and leather shoes. For downtime, pair a polo-collar or stand-up-collar cardigan with a T-shirt and jeans. Light and dark cardigans also work with corduroy trousers. On cold days, layer one under a coat: it takes the place of a jumper but can be unbuttoned indoors. Prefer something with a hood? Explore our sweatshirts.
The perfect layer underneath
A cardigan gets its character from whatever you wear beneath it. A plain shirt or a contrasting T-shirt always works. For cooler days, explore our knitwear selection, where you'll find fine-knit jumpers and roll-neck jumpers that look especially good under an open cardigan. After all, a great cardigan is only as good as what you wear underneath.
