I promise, your cardigan doubts will be drowned out by all the people saying, “man, I love that sweater.”
- Subscribe
Join 30,000 other guys just like you. Primer is proudly spam free, Unsubscribe at any time.
A Guy's Guide To Growing Up
Affordable style, self-development, how-tos, and apartment DIY for the aspiring gentleman.
A Man’s Complete Guide to Linen: Hacks for Wrinkles, Affordable Picks, Outfit Inspiration & More
How to wear and care for linen, the easy way.
Deal: $17 Levi’s 512 Slim Taper + More
Snag them before they sell out.
The Best Dress Pants for Every Budget
Despite what you may think, you do have options when it comes to dress pants. Check out some of our top picks.
Spy School: How to Use an Analog Watch as a Compass to Find Direction
Your cell phone's dead, and you have to get somewhere in an unfamiliar place? As long as you know which direction you need to head, your watch will point you the way.
Cheat Sheet: A Visual Guide to Poker Hands & Their Hierarchy
You might just win once you understand what cards you're playing.
Building Your Home Bar on a Budget
Serve drinks that don’t taste like paint thinner without breaking the bank
The Casual Outfit That Will Carry You Through The Rest Of Summer
Simple can be stylish, too.
Live Action Getup: Summer Vacation Means Working Smarter, Not Harder
Channel your inner “Bond on a tropical island” and pack these easy to wear pieces that look good on the beach and at the bar.
The Intentional Apartment: An Industrial And Modern Living Room Look
Follow this plug-and-play plan for a quick decor upgrade.
The Ultimate Collection Of 42 Free Wall Art Prints
The budget-friendly cure for blank walls.
Getting Started With Scotch Whisky: Everything You Need to Know
Scotch might be a sophisticated drink, but learning to love it is surprisingly simple thanks to this crash-course guide.
What Is The Cheapest Rolex?
Rolex watches have been the choice for presidents, astronauts, A-list movie stars, and more – we break down how much it will actually cost to get one of these timepieces on your wrist.
Ric
Very nice getup! Definitely digging the shawl cardigan.
blackjonsnow
Is it really alright to leave the top button undone? I understand its a casual look but I wonder what the rules are with that
Andrew
Yep, no official rules for that. I never button the top button on the ones I have because they would be too high and look too formal. It’s not a blazer / suit jacket so no need to worry about that.
blackjonsnow
I didnt know I can wear high cut cardigans while avoiding the whole “Mr. Rogers” look. Thanks!!
JJ
ugg. I wore a great B.R grey cardigan, white dress shirt, black silk tie – thinking I looked Boss at my wife’s Christmas party and a lady said she loved my cardigan and that I remind her of Mr. Rogers..
Andrew
I’d take that as a compliment. 😉 I assure you I’ve received way more compliments than negative. I guess the real question is what did your wife think of the look?
blackjonsnow
By the way, I love what you do with this website. Reading this magazine as a college student has been instrumental in my success so far. Seriously dude thank you
Andrew
Wow, you’re very welcome! Thanks so much, you made my day! 🙂
Zac Silk
I hear you, I feel like as college students were getting a leg up on our competition and those who don’t read Primer.
blackjonsnow
100% true man. Huge shoutout to the folks at Primer who make this magazine as awesome as it is!!
Keith Dodge
Love cardigans. Great addition to any closet for fall/winter. I bought the blue Gap cable knit cardigan you featured recently and it has quickly become a wardrobe staple for work or weekend. Looks great paired with a henley.
Andrew
Awesome!!! So glad you like it.
Emmet
I’ve bought a couple nice cardigans online, from J Crew & BR. My problem is, being 5’8″, they are way too long. As in hang down past my hips and over my rear end. Any tips? I wear medium, small is way too snug in the shoulders and chest.
Andrew
You could very carefully try to shrink it a little bit. Put it in for a couple minutes at a time until it’s the fit you want.
Emmet
Good Idea. Thanks.
Zac Silk
Andrew, thanks to Primer I now have at least 10 shawl collar cardigans. I wouldn’t have found out the merits of a shawl collar cardigans if it wasn’t for Primer’s extensive range of articles, particularly the Fall weekend getup you did recently, as well as the fit article from a while back on sweaters.
Here are a few of my shawl collar cardigans, and the fact I can pick one up at almost any budget is a real bonus.
Thanks Andrew for showing us Gents the proper fit and ways to wear this true classic of menswear. It will be a staple no doubt in my closet for years to come https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4fd7c2c46c09d6c605f12b9f613698574a29ee9c8c01fa28f19b04be91951f1f.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/247c91cc9a1fa1e1e0c75b11fb1d4ab2c644e32a1c47c7c5e8ad4be0b928e4ad.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/153544a4ef00b962fad472dabefbaa77fe6cfe4c8161930ff4422b77661b2be9.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/05aa2fef449ae0fe109ae6cc9fe328a7d7b555839d34455502639de596feb00c.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/01fbc063e0126c77001840697d01ded2cf973796f22c2caa823330c563dedb6c.jpg
Andrew
NICE! I’ve been wanting a brown one like that. You’re so very welcome, thanks for reading and being so active in the comments, I really appreciate everything!
Zac Silk
That’s no problem at all, Primer’s become a daily thing for me in the morning’s waking up with an Americano and reading the new articles.
Zac Silk
Also, just a heads up I can’t seem to access the American Eagle link for the caddigan I’m not sure if it’s a universal problem or just me.
Andrew
Yeah unfortunately I just bought it on Black Friday but they don’t have it on the site anymore. 😞
Zac Silk
What a shame! I’ve got a similar cardigan I picked up how’s this as a replacement? The colour is a white but it looks pretty grey to me.
I’ll have to post a version of our getup with my own alternatives like to see what you think. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/153544a4ef00b962fad472dabefbaa77fe6cfe4c8161930ff4422b77661b2be9.png
Zac Silk
Have you considered a shop the store for Gap Andrew? I know it’s universal which is great for me being from the U.K. But with it being so ubixitois it may be overlooked. It’s turning out some good quality clothes as you can attest to with them being featured a lot in your articles.
Just a suggestion but I love seeing all the new getups you come up with, also what hair product do you use? I’ve been tying the side part for a while, but I can’t find a good holding product.
Zac Silk
Guys, the A&F cardigan is selling out fast here in the U.K so here’s another option. I haven’t personally tried the brand but it’s been recommended by Iconic Alterntaives:
http://m.asos.com/selected-homme/selected-homme-shawl-collar-cardigan/prd/6636305?iid=6636305&clr=Grey&cid=15762&pgesize=39&pge=0&totalstyles=39&gridsize=2&gridrow=8&gridcolumn=2
Thomas
I have that particulair cardigan and can recommend it. Selected homme is a bit of and underfeautured brand on the internet. Maybe because they dont have brick and mortar stores, there stuff can be found a bit everywhere and nowhere in Europe. they have nicer fabrics then most other highstreet brands that are similair in price. This cardigan is 100% cotton with a little bit of weight to it, has nice tapered arms. Only problem for me is that it runs a little longer then the cardigans andrew wears, so for me it ends almost bellow my crotch, but i have long legs and a shorter torso… still in doubt about it if its fine or if i should shorten it!
Zac Silk
Thanks for such an authoritative review! I’ve seen it being posted on a few websites but could never found a definitive review on it.
I’ll definitely have to give it a go in the grey colour as Andrew has worn it here.
I’d suggest sizing down next time. For me with the fit I try to aim to have the cardigan end just after my button on my jeans so upper to mid crotch. Hope that helps.
Thomas
Unfortunately there was no possibility to size down for me, since I got the smallest size they produce (S) Shawl collar cardigans tend to be a bit too long for me anyway’s. I’m looking forward trying the ones from GAP in the future to see if this makes a difference!
Zac Silk
I’d definitely reccomend the Gap cardigans. I’ve got both styles the cable knit Andrew has featured a lot as well as the smooth weave.
As far as sizing goes I’m 5’11 and a small is a perfect fit for me. So hopefully the Gap cardigans will be a better fit for you.
Zac Silk
Just for reference as I’m thinking of getting a shawl collar cardigan from Selected. How tall are you?
Thomas
He there, i had to measure myself in order to know: im 178 cm tall, the selected cardigan in size S is 74cm. I have a couple of sportscoats that are 74cm long as well that are on the short side but still covering my behindz, so yeah clearly the cardigan is a bit too long for me. Ill try to see if i can get it altered by a couple of crafty family members over the hollidays for now! Good luck out there, ill be on the hunt for a new shawl collar cardigan as well 🙂
Thomas
Hmm so thats an inch difference between us , might still be a bit on the long side for you as well….mayeb you can order it online at a shop that has an easy return policy to try it out!
Zac Silk
Thanks for the response. I’ve tried to look for the Selected Home cardigan but it’s sold out. You’re a similar height as me so I’ll have to look for a similar one.
I’ve found a new Gap cardigan in a darker grey than Andrew’s but it’s still a good option and a perfect fit for people around our height.
http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?pid=000466358001&vid=1&preferredLocale=en_GB&kwid=1&sem=false&sdkw=ribbed-shawl-collar-cardigan-P000466358&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gap.co.uk%2Fproducts%2Fcotton-sweaters-men-C1067315.jsp
Good luck finding a cardigan that fits Gap have a lot of good options year round.
Chris
Hey Andrew great article and love some of those textures! Particularly enamoured not the Thursday Boots company. What is a problem for me is that a lot of these cool US retailers you have: Jack Threads, Thursday boots, etc. charge a lot of tax (sometimes up to 40%) to get it over to where I am – in the UK. Can you recommend any style channels with synergy with you that focus on UK retailers?
Zac Silk
I’m in the same boat as you Chris. I’ve started to drift towards more British brands or stuff I can find on the high street. Next do a lot of good styles that copy some of the American styles I’ve got some shawl collar cardigans from them and they’re very good quality for the price. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/153544a4ef00b962fad472dabefbaa77fe6cfe4c8161930ff4422b77661b2be9.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1ded7a78ccfee015770b8c1944094031e77c96b5a0821ffeb4c20ae52c4fd0c6.jpg
Omer Anwar Al Amin
You just gave me a reason to step into abercrombie and fitch
Zac Silk
Hi Gents took my girlfriend to play pool and encorparted a shawl collar cardigan into my look. I went with an off white Henley and worn in jeans and some dark brown workboots to top off the look. I’m keeping it casual this week as I’m off to the woods with her family for a cabin in the woods retreat. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/77e4d53e37617411c36fcbe04e36b2541a99e4063544982cc9c1548fedf858e6.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/34c774473bc0685b5d81fe253cbac4077f5caede5d36fa5435d793f42c155d3c.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/13c82322a01e776e713d4286ea160cf59835f3f3f691b14e794dc702cf2d3b09.jpg
Zac Silk
I’ve just grabbed one of the last shawl collar cardigans from Gap in a cable knit. I’ve paired it with a chambray shirt and black jeans for a nice minimal getup. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4a84c4b86a60c9b5e026b3a926ce6c527b1af95575bad90ea8606d305ce8c827.jpg