The cardigan never really went away, but somewhere between the mid-90s ironic revival and every dad-dressing trend of the 2010s, it got a bit lost. For a while it felt like wearing one was either a statement or an accident. Now, though, it’s just a sensible, good-looking piece of clothing again, which is honestly where it should have stayed all along.
There’s something quietly reliable about a well-made cardigan. It does the work of a jumper but with the flexibility of a jacket, and unlike a hoodie, it doesn’t make you look like you’ve wandered out of a sixth-form common room. That’s not a dig at hoodies, by the way. It’s just that there’s a point in life where you want to feel a bit more put-together without having to iron anything.
What Actually Makes a Good Men’s Cardigan
The yarn matters, a lot actually. It comes down to what you’re going to do with it. Fit is the thing most men get wrong with men’s cardigans. If you’re buying something you want to wear a lot, knowing which direction it leans helps you figure out what else it’ll work with in your wardrobe.
How to Actually Wear One Without Looking Like You’re Trying Too Hard
The simplest combination going is a plain crew-neck tee underneath with chinos or dark jeans. From there you can add a collar if you want, an open-necked shirt works well and gives you that slightly more considered look without veering into costume territory.
Colour is where people overthink it. Navy, grey, camel and burgundy are the dependable ones, and they mix well with most of what men already own. The bolder earth tones, burnt oranges and forest greens, have come back around again and they’re actually easier to wear than they sound. Against a white shirt or a simple navy tee they look pretty sharp.
One thing worth pointing out: lighter-weight cardigans can work right through spring and into early summer in the UK, which is basically its own climate category. A thin merino over a shirt on an April morning is exactly the right call. You’re not committing to full winter gear, but you’re not pretending it’s warm either.
Where They Sit in the Wardrobe Long-Term
The case for spending a bit more on a cardigan is stronger than it is for most other clothing. A cheap suit shows its cheapness immediately. A cheap cardigan is less obvious, but a well-made one that holds its shape and colour after 40 washes is noticeably better after a year or two of actual wearing. The cost-per-wear argument really does apply here more than most pieces.
That said, there are decent mid-range options that don’t require you to remortgage anything. Plenty of retailers carry solid, well-constructed versions at reasonable prices, and if you know what to look for, flat seams, reinforced buttonholes, consistent stitching, you can spot a good one pretty quickly even online.
The cardigan was sensible before it was fashionable, and it’ll stay sensible long after the trend conversation has moved elsewhere. That’s probably the best thing you can say about any piece of clothing, really.