A few years ago the cardigan sat firmly in the “things grandad wore to the garden centre” pile. Fair enough, it’s been around a long time. Supposedly the 7th Earl of Cardigan wore a knitted waistcoat out in Crimea and his name got stuck to it. But walk down any high street this October and they’re everywhere. Proper ones, too. Not the ironic charity shop find.
The likely reason? Everyone got a bit fed up of living in joggers. Lots of blokes want to look like they’ve made an effort now, just without the tie. And a cardigan does that. It’s warmer than a shirt, less stiff than a jacket, and it sort of fits in the middle of everything.
What Makes a Cardigan Work
Not every cardigan is doing the same job, which takes a while to clock. The big shawl collar ones left open? Pub lunch after a muddy walk. A thin navy one done up to the middle button is a different story. Quietly smart. No one’s going to comment, but they’ll notice.
Fit’s the bit people get wrong. Plenty of men buy one a size up “for comfort” and end up looking like they raided their dad’s wardrobe. Go too tight and the shoulders pull every time you reach for something. What you’re after is a little bit of give round the middle, shoulder seams sitting where your shoulders actually are, and sleeves that don’t ride up. Sounds simple. It isn’t, annoyingly.
Then there’s what it’s made of. Wool, or a decent wool mix, keeps its shape and actually keeps you warm, which matters when the heating goes on in October and doesn’t go off till spring. The cheaper acrylic ones? They’re fine for a bit. Then they bobble and stretch and you’re buying another one next year.
How to Actually Wear One
Easiest option is a shirt underneath with the collar sitting out over the top. Wear it with chinos if you’ve got somewhere to be, or jeans if you haven’t. Hard to get wrong, honestly. If it’s a bit smarter than that, stick a soft, unlined blazer over the lot.
A plain t-shirt underneath works too, mainly with the thicker, chunkier knits. It’s more laid back. Just keep the tee slim so it doesn’t bunch, and don’t pick two colours that clash.
On colour, most men play it safe. Navy, grey, oatmeal, a dark green or a deep red. Nothing wrong with any of them, and they’ll go with half your wardrobe. Feeling braver? Mustard or a rusty orange can carry the whole outfit on its own. Keep the rest of what you’re wearing plain, though, or it gets a bit much.
Where to Shop
Depends on your budget really. If you want one that’s still going in three or four winters, skip the fast fashion stuff and look at shops that do proper British knitwear. Chums is a good shout. Their range of mens cardigans sticks to classic shapes and decent quality rather than whatever’s trending this month, and for most men that’s the whole point.
Expect to pay somewhere from about £35 to £45 for a good wool blend, more if you want something fancier. You don’t have to spend a fortune. But the really cheap ones usually look cheap after a few washes, so there’s that.
So yes, the cardigan’s back, and it’s no real surprise. It’s warm, it goes with loads, it doesn’t care how old you are and you barely have to think about it. Not bad for something that’s been knocking around since the 1850s.
