Cardigans for men: styles, fit and how to wear them

Cardigans for men have shaken off their old reputation. Once seen as something for grandfathers and school teachers, the men’s cardigan sweater is now one of the most useful layers in a modern wardrobe. A fine merino cardigan works under a blazer or over a shirt at the office, a chunky shawl collar cardigan replaces a jacket on a crisp autumn weekend, and a brown cardigan with jeans looks relaxed and warm without trying too hard. Because it opens at the front, a cardigan is easier to adjust than a jumper: wear it buttoned for a neat line, open over a T-shirt for a casual look, or as a light jacket indoors. This guide covers how to choose cardigans for men: the main styles from fine-gauge to chunky cardigans, the best yarns, how a cardigan should fit, the most versatile colours, how to wear one with shirts, T-shirts, jeans, chinos and tailoring, cardigans for Christmas and winter, cardigans for boys, and how to wash and store knitwear so it lasts.

Cardigans for men: the quick answer

• Most versatile: a fine-gauge merino cardigan in navy, grey or brown, with five to seven buttons.
• For casual weekends: a chunky cardigan or shawl collar cardigan in wool or wool blend.
• Fit: shoulder seams on your shoulders, buttons that close without pulling, hem at the belt or just below.
• Best colours: navy, grey, camel, brown, olive and cream.
• Smartest way to wear it: a fine cardigan over an oxford shirt, with wool trousers or chinos and leather shoes.
• Most relaxed: a chunky cardigan over a white T-shirt with dark jeans and boots.
• Care: hand wash or use a cool wool cycle, dry flat and fold, never hang.

Why wear a cardigan?

A cardigan does a few things a jumper can’t.

• It adjusts to the temperature: buttoned when it’s cool, open when it’s warm, off in seconds.
• It layers easily: it goes over a shirt and tie without crushing the collar, and under a coat without bulk.
• It works as a light jacket: a heavy cardigan replaces a jacket indoors and on mild days.
• It’s smart without being stiff: softer than a blazer, more polished than a hoodie.
• It suits every age: from teenage boys to older men, the shapes and colours just change.

Types of cardigans for men

Type	What it is	Formality	Best for
Fine-gauge V-neck cardigan	Thin knit, V-neck, five to seven buttons	Smart casual to business casual	Office, over shirts, under blazers
Crew-neck cardigan	Round neck, buttons to the top	Smart casual	Over T-shirts, layering
Chunky cardigan	Thick, often cable or rib knit	Casual	Weekends, autumn and winter
Shawl collar cardigan	Wide rolled collar, usually chunky	Casual to smart casual	Weekends, evenings, cold days
Zip-up cardigan	Knitted cardigan with a zip	Casual	Travel, sporty outfits
Long cardigan	Hip to thigh length, often belted or loose	Casual	Fashion-forward outfits, lounging
Knitted overshirt	Shirt-shaped cardigan with a collar	Casual to smart casual	Replacing a light jacket

The fine-gauge cardigan

A fine-gauge cardigan, usually in merino wool, cotton or a silk blend, is the smartest and most versatile style. It is thin enough to wear over a shirt and tie or under a blazer or coat. A V-neck with five to seven buttons is the classic shape. Choose navy, charcoal or brown first.

The chunky cardigan

A chunky cardigan is knitted from thick yarn, often in a cable, rib or fisherman stitch. It’s warm, textured and casual, perfect over a T-shirt or flannel shirt at the weekend. Because it’s bulky, it doesn’t fit under most jackets, so treat it as the outer layer indoors and on mild days.

The shawl collar cardigan

The shawl collar cardigan has a wide, rolled collar that frames the neck and adds warmth. It’s a classic in cream, grey, navy and brown, often with leather or horn buttons and patch pockets. A shawl collar adds width to narrow shoulders and looks good over a shirt or a T-shirt.

The button up cardigan versus the zip-up

A button up cardigan is the more classic and smarter choice. Zip-up cardigans look sportier and work well for travel and casual outfits. See zip-up hoodies for men if you prefer a zip in jersey rather than knit.

Long cardigans

A long cardigan, reaching the hips or thighs, is a more fashion-led choice. It suits tall, slim men and relaxed outfits, worn open over a T-shirt with slim trousers. On shorter men, very long cardigans can shorten the legs.

Yarns and knits

Yarn	Feel	Warmth	Best for
Merino wool	Fine, soft, not itchy	Warm, breathable	All year, office, layering
Lambswool	Soft and slightly fluffy	Warm	Autumn and winter
Shetland and Donegal wool	Rugged, textured, a little scratchy	Very warm	Casual winter, country style
Cashmere	Very soft, light	Very warm for its weight	Smart winter outfits, gifts
Cotton	Smooth, cool	Light	Spring and early autumn
Wool and nylon blends	Durable, holds shape	Warm	Everyday wear, fewer bobbles
Acrylic	Soft at first, pills fast	Less breathable	Budget choice, short-term

For most men, a merino or lambswool cardigan is the best first buy. Cotton cardigans are good for spring and early autumn. Pure acrylic is cheap but tends to pill, lose shape and feel sweaty, so look for at least half wool. For knit types and patterns, see our guide to sweater outfits for men.

How a cardigan should fit

Area	How it should fit
Shoulders	Seams sit at the edge of your shoulders
Chest	Buttons close without pulling or gaping, with room for a shirt
Sleeves	End at the wrist bone, cuffs stay in place
Length	Covers the belt, ends at or just below the hips (except long cardigans)
Under a blazer	Fine-gauge only, smooth with no bunching under the arms

Button the cardigan when you try it on. If the fabric pulls into an X shape around the buttons, it’s too tight. If the shoulders slope down your arms, it’s too big. A fine cardigan should follow the body; a chunky one can be a little roomier. Traditionally, the bottom button is left undone, which gives a more relaxed line. For more on proportions, see our guide to how clothes should fit.

The best colours for men’s cardigans

• Navy: the most versatile. Works with jeans, grey trousers, chinos and almost any shirt.
• Grey and charcoal: quiet and smart, ideal for the office.
• Brown and camel: a brown cardigan looks warm and relaxed, and is very much in style. Excellent with denim, cream and olive.
• Cream and ecru: the classic shawl collar and fisherman colour, bright and fresh in winter.
• Olive and forest green: earthy autumn colours that work with denim and brown boots.
• Burgundy: a rich colour for autumn and Christmas, good over grey and navy.
• Black: sleek but harder to wear casually; best in fine merino over black or grey.

Start with navy or grey, add a brown cardigan, then a chunky cream or olive one. For pairing ideas, see our guide to colour combinations for clothes.

How to wear a cardigan

Over a shirt

A fine cardigan over an oxford or poplin shirt is the classic smart casual look. It works with chinos, flannel trousers or dark jeans and leather shoes. Wear it buttoned for the office and open for the weekend. See smart casual for men.

Over a T-shirt

A crew-neck or chunky cardigan worn open over a plain white or grey T-shirt, with dark jeans and trainers or boots, is the easiest relaxed look. It replaces a jacket on mild days.

With a shirt and tie

A thin V-neck cardigan over a shirt and tie is a softer alternative to a suit jacket for business casual offices and teaching. Keep the cardigan fine, dark and well fitted. See business casual for men.

Under a blazer or coat

A fine merino cardigan fits under a blazer or an overcoat and adds warmth without bulk. It’s a good way to wear a suit jacket with less formality. Chunky cardigans are usually too thick for this.

As a jacket

A heavy shawl collar cardigan or knitted overshirt can be worn as a light jacket on dry autumn days and indoors in winter. Wear it over a flannel or denim shirt with jeans or cords and boots.

Under a puffer vest or field jacket

In colder weather, layer a cardigan under a puffer vest, a field jacket or a waxed jacket. See puffer vests for men and our guide to how to layer clothes.

Cardigans by season

• Spring: a cotton or fine merino cardigan over a T-shirt or polo. See spring outfits for men.
• Summer: a light cotton or linen-blend cardigan for cool evenings and air-conditioned offices.
• Autumn: the cardigan’s best season: merino over shirts, chunky knits at the weekend. See fall outfits for men.
• Winter: chunky and shawl collar cardigans indoors, fine cardigans under coats. See winter outfits for men.

Cardigans for Christmas

Cardigans for Christmas are a cosy alternative to the Christmas jumper. A burgundy, forest green or cream cardigan over a white shirt, with grey or navy trousers, is smart enough for family dinners and work parties. Fair Isle and Nordic patterns add a festive touch without novelty prints. See Christmas outfits for men.

Cardigans by occasion

Occasion	Best cardigan	Wear it with
Office, business casual	Fine merino V-neck	Shirt, wool trousers, leather shoes
Weekend	Chunky or crew-neck cardigan	T-shirt, jeans, trainers or boots
Date night	Dark fine-gauge or shawl collar	Shirt or T-shirt, dark jeans, boots
Family dinner	Merino or lambswool cardigan	Shirt, chinos, loafers
Travel	Fine merino or zip cardigan	T-shirt, jeans, trainers
Christmas	Burgundy, green or patterned cardigan	Shirt, grey trousers, leather shoes

Cardigans for boys and teenagers

Cardigans are practical for boys too: easy to take off when they get warm, and smart enough for school, family events and photos. A navy or grey cotton or merino cardigan over a polo or shirt is a classic school look. For teenagers, a chunky cardigan over a T-shirt is relaxed and current. Choose machine-washable yarns for younger children. See our guide to boys’ sweaters.

How many cardigans do you need?

Most men need two or three: one fine merino cardigan in navy or grey for smart outfits, one brown or camel cardigan, and one chunky or shawl collar cardigan for winter weekends. That covers office, weekend and cold-weather outfits. See our winter capsule wardrobe for men for how knitwear fits into a full wardrobe.

How to care for a cardigan

• Wash less often: wool is naturally odour-resistant. Air it between wears.
• Wash cool and gently: hand wash or use a wool cycle at 30°C with a wool detergent.
• Button it before washing: this keeps the shape of the front.
• Dry flat: press out water in a towel and dry it flat, away from radiators.
• Fold, never hang: hanging stretches the shoulders and the hem.
• Remove bobbles: use a fabric shaver or a knit comb on pilling areas.
• Store with cedar: cedar blocks or lavender help deter moths in winter storage.

Mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Why it doesn’t work	Fix
Too tight	Buttons pull and gape	Size up or choose a regular fit
Too long by accident	Shortens the legs	Choose hem at the belt or hips
Chunky cardigan under a blazer	Bulky and creased	Use fine-gauge knits under tailoring
Acrylic knits	Pill quickly and feel sweaty	Choose wool or wool blends
Hanging knitwear	Stretched shoulders	Fold it
Buttoning the bottom button	Pulls at the hips	Leave the bottom button undone