Live Action Getup: Getting Over Cardigan Fears

I promise, your cardigan doubts will be drowned out by all the people saying, “man, I love that sweater.”
12 December,2016By

Getting Over Cardigan Fear - The Getup

Henley with cardiganChore coatThe Fifth Tribeca WatchThursday Boots Roughout Leather Bootsfaded black tee jcrew factoryDSTLD denimAbercrombie and Fitch cardiganSCHOTT cardiganSchott Cardiganchaps cardiganGAP plaid shirtThe Best Boots for Men GuidePrimer Instagram The Getup by Primer

The Getup: Getting Over Cardigan Fears

Thursday Boot Co. Rough Out Boot

Thursday Boot Co., $199

The Fifth Tribeca watch

The Fifth Tribeca watch, $150

The Getup: Getting Over Cardigan Fears
The Getup: Getting Over Cardigan Fears

Did you like this look? Please share it!

Andrew is the founder and editor of Primer. He's a graduate of American University and currently lives in Los Angeles. Read more about Primer on our About page. On Instagram: @andrewsnavely and @primermagazine.

  • 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

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ 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..

          • http://www.primermagazine.com/ 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

        • http://www.primermagazine.com/ 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.

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ 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.

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ 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

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ 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.

        • http://www.primermagazine.com/ 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?

  • 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