Once You Wear These Cardigans, You May Leave Blazers Behind Forever

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IF YOU'RE under the impression that cardigans are for college professors and old-timey fishermen, then you’re missing out on the most comfortable way to dress up this winter. The best cardigans for men are utilized by uber stylish men like Ryan Gosling, Lee Pace, and Pedro Pascal. Whether you go with a bulky shawl collar or a slender wool v-neck sweater, the best cardigans are almost as comfortable as a bathrobe, but as stylish as a blazer.

Picking up a few of the best cardigans for men will refine your look without sacrificing a bit of comfort. Existing somewhere between a blazer and a crewneck, these super relaxed sweaters are more formal than sweatshirts and athleisure tops but equally as comfortable. With a wide variety of designs to choose from, you can go as cozy or as formal as you like. The best cardigans for men come in fabrics ranging from lightweight merino wool to chunky cableknit cotton. Rock one under a travel blazer instead of a button down for a relaxed formal look. Or throw one over a T-shirt instead of a hoodie for a more polished business casual look. The best cardigans for men look good with jeans and Chelsea boots, chinos and loafers, or joggers and running shoes. There is no wrong answer.

With so many options to choose from, available for pretty much every occasion, we narrowed down the field to the 25 best cardigans for men that are available right now.

Herdsman Shawl Cardigan

Buck Mason isn’t just a top menswear brand for winter sweaters, it’s a one-stop-shop for classic, reasonably-priced, well-made wardrobe essentials that feel and fit how you like them. With a full-cut for a super cozy look and a touch of cashmere for added softness and heat retention, this timeless cardigan is a solid investment for your winter wardrobe.

Fisherman's Cable Shawl Collar Cardigan

Old New England fishermen wore sweaters that looked like this, but never ones that were made from a merino wool and cashmere blend. Peter Miller honors that classic look but gives the feel a serious upgrade. The tailored fit and fine fabric make this cardigan a great substitute for a blazer. Rock it with a pair of chinos and a white oxford shirt.

Aran Cable Knit Cardigan Sweater

Aran cable knit sweaters are a staple of Irish life. Fishermen made them famous for their warmth and durability. Historically, the intricate cable knit designs were unique to individual families as a form of identity. Now, the ornate designs are just decorative and look really cool.

Small Heart Wool Cardigan Sweater

Comme des Garcons perfected the dimensions and details of the humble v-neck cardigan. With a fit that is just right, a neck that drops to the perfect spot, and a fine wool fabric that is both soft and warm, every box is checked. The distinctive PLAY heart logo patch is the icing on the cake.

The Original Westerley Zip Up Cardigan Sweater

If your winter style icon is The Dude from The Big Lebowski, you need this cardigan. The Original Westerley Cardigan from Pendleton is an exact recreation of a zip-front sweater from 1972 made famous by Jeff Bridges’ now-iconic character. The ring zipper pull, shawl collar, and Greek key pattern all give this sweater a lived-in feel that’s perfect for lounging around the house.

Wilkinson Merino Wool Cardigan Sweater

Peregrine builds gear like this cardigan to handle the harsh British winters. The heavy merino wool weave and thick rolled shawl collar of this cardigan will keep you warm all winter long. Ribbed weaves make this super flexible, allowing you to move around unencumbered. Leather wrapped buttons are always a nice touch.

Wool Cardigan

Originally a staple of tennis apparel, Lacoste and cardigans go hand-in-hand. This solid wool option has no pockets, just a clean front featuring the signature croc patch for a vintage preppy staple. It looks great with an oxford shirt or polo underneath, or go more chill with jeans and a t-shirt.

Merino Blazer - Navy

A cardigan is often a good substitute for a blazer, especially this merino blazer cardigan from Charles Tyrwhitt. It is essentially a standard fine wool sweater with a woven notch lapel instead of a shawl collar. Wear it over a dress shirt for a super cozy office look or wear it with a t-shirt for your holiday party.

Audubon Cardigan

Everything about this John Varvatos cardigan is made for pure comfort. Oversized and extra long, it drops to around the knees like a robe. The chunky cable knit design feels like you're wrapped up in a warm blanket. Made from a merino wool and alpaca blend, it's also incredibly soft. Best of all, it just looks really cool.

Palm Motif Cardigan

Everything Faherty makes is designed for beach life. This bold cardigan, emblazoned with the brand logo surrounded by palm trees and choppy seas, goes above and beyond. If you're missing the slat water, sand, and sun this winter, put this cardigan on to warm you up inside and out.

The Crawford Cardigan Sweater

Here's a clean black cardigan with a lean silhouette and and sharp shawl collar that almost looks like a blazer. Wear it over you t-shirt while WFH, or layer it over your favorite button-up at the office for a foolproof nine-to-five look.

Cashmere Cardigan in Classic Navy Stripe

Decorated with the kind of narrow white and blue stripes typical of dress shirts, this Todd Snyder cardigan makes an ideal substitute for a button down. It helps that the fabric is 100% cashmere, making it warmer and softer than any shirt. It definitely looks best with denim. Style it with a washed out pair of jeans, a denim jacket, or both.

Cotton Cardigan

What looks like a plain cotton cardigan at first glance, is actually decorated with a subtle weave design running along the collar and placket. A similar detail is displayed around the cuff. These little additions make this Bonobos cardigan a a great option for both business and causal looks.

Lightweight French Terry Cardigan Sweatshirt

Canadian high-end sportswear company Reigning Champ offers a fun blend between a cardigan and a sweatshirt. Made in Vancouver out of the brand's very own mid-weight terry fabric, it is soft, durable and machine washable. Hoodie style kangaroo pockets and snaps instead of buttons provide a relaxed look. This is the ultimate chilling around the house cardigan.

Pattern Cardigan

For a flashier look, go with this floral pattern cardigan from Abercrombie. Made from a cotton and nylon blend, it is super soft and machine washable. This is the centerpiece of any outfit. Dress it up with corduroy pants and a pair of derby shoes for a great party look.

Classic Fit Supima Cotton Cardigan Sweater

This cool, classic cardigan combines timeless style with modern, high-performance textiles. Soft, silky 100% Supima cotton is combed for smoothness and pill resistance, ensuring the integrity of this cardigan for years to come. Layer this lightweight sweater over a dress shirt or under a blazer.

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Koi Applique Cardigan

What better way to decorate a standard issue v-neck cardigan than embroidering a large koi finish on the chest? Percival went extra fancy with the fabric as well, using a lush mohair and and wool blend. It is fuzzy like a warm blanket, but way more stylish.

Cotton Collared Cardigan

For a more rugged take on a sweater blazer, this chunky cotton cardigan from 3sixteen is more log cabin than board room. Style it with jeans for a weekend look, whether you plan on leaving the house or not. Top it off with a pair of cozy slippers.

Renn Brushed Relaxed Fit Cardigan

Go full Barbie-core with this bubble gum pink cardigan from All Saints. The simple v-neck design balances out the loud color, making it easy to style. It is a slightly loose fit goes great with jeans or dress pants. Wear your favorite graphic t-shirt underneath for a great party outfit.

The Cloud Relaxed Cardigan

Everlane designed this cardigan to fit a little oversized for extra comfort. A distinct blend of alpaca, merino wool, and cotton makes this sweater both soft and warm. It is a thicker weave than most v-neck cardigans, and drops a little lower in the body, so it works best as a top layer.

Mitchell Cardigan in Washed Cashmere

Sweater blazers are typically light and delicate, but Alex Mill made one from a thick ribbed cashmere. This cardigan gives the look of a tweed blazer, but with the unmistakable softness of fine cashmere. It makes for a great office sweater through the winter.

Felton Shetland Wool Zip Cardigan

This full zip cardigan is equipped with a shawl collar for a little extra warmth. Barbour used a thick wool that can handle the harsh winter temperatures. Wear it as layering piece under your winter jacket for extra insulation, or use it as a top layer with an oxford shirt underneath.

Men's Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweate

Get the après-ski look at home with this comfy cardigan from L.L. Bean. Comfortable cotton yarns in a soft and sturdy construction make this layering piece even more versatile. The vintage design and modern slim fit come together to create a cardigan that truly stands the test of time.

West Slim Fit Merino Wool Cardigan

With a slim fit, ultra light fabric, and minimalist detailing, Reiss built this cardigan for layering with formalwear. It looks great over a collared shirt or instead of a collared shirt. The sleeves fit easily under suit jackets and the smoky grey color matches navy, black or gray formalwear.

Regular-fit bomber jacket in virgin wool

Inspired by a bomber jacket, this full zip cardigan is slim-fitting and light weight. It is a perfect layering piece for the coldest winter days. Match it with joggers and a puffer jacket just as easily as with a suit jacket and dress pants.

What to Look for in Cardigans

V-neck, Shawl, and Crewneck: The three basic categories of cardigan are v-neck, shawl, and crewneck. V-neck is the most common, and works best with formalwear or office attire. It usually has two hand pockets or no pockets at all. Shawl cardigans are thicker, often featuring cable knit designs. They work better as top layers and are warmer, making them ideal for winter. Crew neck cardigans usually have a zipper that goes up to the neck. These usually fit more like a light jacket and work good for layering in cold weather.

Fabric: Cardigan fabric options range from cotton and linen, to wool and cashmere. Cotton options are the most seasonally versatile but won’t keep you nearly as warm in the winter. Wool, cashmere, and alpaca fabrics are much cozier for cold weather. If you’re looking for a formal look, go with a fine merino wool. For maximum comfort, go with a chunky wool blend that feels like a warm blanket.

Pockets: Almost all cardigans have two small hand pockets at the bottom front. They can be either vented or patch, but these aren’t very good for storing things. You’ll typically just use them for keeping your hands warm. Some shawl and blazer style cardigans have a breast pocket, which is more just for show. You can put a pocket square in there for a nice accessory.

How to Style Cardigans

When you’re styling a cardigan, it helps to think of it as a replacement for either a collared shirt or a blazer. If you’re putting together an outfit where you would normally wear a collared shirt, switch in a v-neck cardigan for a more refined look. Shawl and sweater blazer style cardigans work well as substitutes for a sport coat or suit jacket. This look is both more comfortable and shows off a stylish flare.

Wearing a cardigan instead of a hoodie or crew neck sweatshirt is a great way to polish up a casual outfit. For example, wearing a cable knit wool shawl cardigan with joggers and running shoes. On the flip side, the right cardigan can make an office outfit feel much more comfortable. Try a v-neck cardigan with a button down shirt, dress pants, and loafers.

Cardigan are a simple and easy option for a night out. Wear one with a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. For a little more elevated look, go with a t-shirt, dress pants, and Chelsea boots.

How We Selected the Best Cardigans for Men

Brad Lanphear is a style pro with more than a decade of experience testing and styling menswear essentials, including cardigans. For this story, he and Deputy Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan tested over 40 cardigans and evaluated their construction, comfort, and just how great they looked. They also combed through hundreds of five-star reviews from e-commerce sites they trust, and also scanned through countless Reddit threads like r/malefashionadvice, for unbiased opinions on the best cardigans for men. Lanphear and Gollayan wear most of these cardigans regularly.

Shop More of Our Favorite Fall and Winter Essentials

Long Sleeve Polo Shirts | Cashmere Sweaters | Crewneck Sweatshirts | Turtleneck Sweaters | Hoodies | Winter Jackets | Packable Down Jackets | Puffer Jackets

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