“Obviously, there is no shortage of clothes in the wardrobe, but I always feel that there is one less coat that can be worn casually in spring and autumn” – this is the confusion of many men’s outfits. And the Men’s Cardigan Sweater is precisely the “universal item” that solves this problem. It can not only block the wind and keep warm in the morning and evening, but also act as a thin jacket in indoor air-conditioned rooms, and can be easily held in business, leisure, home and other scenes. But in the face of a variety of knitted cardigans, wool cardigans, and V-neck cardigans on the market, how should you choose not to step on the thunder? This guide will help you understand it all at once, from materials, styles, dressing to maintenance.
1. Understand the core first: choose the right material, comfortable and durable
The material is the key to determining the wearing experience and longevity of the cardigan. Many people buy cardigans only by looking at the style, but they pill and deform after wearing them a few times, but in fact, they don’t choose the right material. Combined with my years of purchasing experience, the characteristics of cardigans of different materials vary greatly, and the suitable scenarios are also completely different.
Material type | Core strengths | Notes: | Suitable for the scene | Real case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cashmere | Light, warm and breathable, the fibers are slender and soft, and skin-friendly and non-pricking | The price is high (usually more than 800 yuan), it needs to be dry cleaned, and it is not necessary to pull it too hard | Business commuting, formal occasions, and early winter warmth | My colleague Lao Zhou bought a men’s cashmere cardigan, which has been worn for 3 years and is still stylish, and it is not bloated at all when wearing a suit in winter |
wool | Strong warmth, cost-effective, and naturally elastic | Some coarse wool may pierce the skin, so it is recommended to choose a merino cardigan (fineness below 19.5μm is more skin-friendly) | Wear it outside in spring and autumn, and wear it inside in winter | College student Xiao Li’s men’s merino cardigan, worn with a shirt in spring and autumn, did not deform after washing in the gentle mode of the washing machine |
Cotton and linen | Breathable and sweat-absorbing, suitable for hot weather, easy to care for | Poor warmth, may shrink slightly after washing | Spring and summer air-conditioned rooms, home, travel | The cotton and linen cardigan man I purchased last year had very good feedback, and many customers said that they would bring one on a business trip in the summer, and it was just right to wear it on the plane |
blended | Combine the advantages of multiple materials, such as wool + acrylic to be more wear-resistant | It depends on the proportion of ingredients, and the proportion of wool is better | Daily leisure and commuting | Xiao Wang, a newcomer in the workplace, has a men’s blended cardigan that takes into account both crispness and cost-effectiveness, and is very suitable for wearing to work |
2. Look at the version again: find the right fit for the body and say goodbye to sloppiness
Choosing the right fit is more important than choosing the right style. The same cardigan has a very different effect on people of different sizes. The core principle is: use the version to modify the shortcomings of the figure and amplify the advantages.
1. Choose the version according to the figure, accurate lightning protection
- Small men (under 170cm): Give preference to short cardigans (the length is within 5cm below the waistline), with a slim cardigan fit, avoid long cardigans and silhouette cardigans, otherwise it will look overwhelming. I previously helped a 168cm client choose a navy blue short V-neck cardigan, with a white T-shirt and cropped pants, which visually directly showed a height of 5cm.
- Tall men (over 180cm): Mid-length cardigans and dropped shoulder cardigans are excellent choices that support the fit and show off a slender figure. However, be careful to avoid overly slim styles, which will look thin.
- Plus-size/fattened men: Loose cardigan is preferred but not oversize, focus on the shoulder line – the shoulder line is aligned with the widest part of the shoulder, avoid raglan sleeve cardigan (it will show the width of the shoulders), and choose dark colors such as black and navy blue, which can visually slim down.
- Standard figure: The widest range of options, retro cardigans and preppy cardigans can be easily controlled, and you can choose according to your style needs.
2. Collar and placket: Details determine style
The collar and placket are the “style switches” of cardigans, and different designs are suitable for different scenes and wearing needs:
Collar selection
- V-neck cardigan: the most classic and versatile, suitable for shirts and T-shirts, can elongate the neck line, and is suitable for business and casual
- Green fruit collar cardigan: elegant and formal, suitable for wearing under a suit, attending business occasions or dates
- Crew neck cardigan: has a strong sense of casualness, suitable for home and daily outings, and is very layered when layered with a turtleneck
- Stand up collar cardigan: good windproof, street trend, suitable for young people to wear cargo pants
Placket design
- Single-breasted cardigans: simple and elegant, easy to operate, are the most common style in daily life
- Horn button cardigan: full of preppy style, suitable for student parties, with jeans is very age-reducing
- Zipper cardigan: easy to put on and take off, athleistic and leisurely, suitable for outdoor or commuting scenes
- Hidden button-down cardigan: smooth lines and clean visuals, suitable for people who pursue a simple style
3. Scene-based dressing: A cardigan is worn for all occasions
The core advantage of cardigans is “strong adaptability to scenes”, mastering the dressing skills of different scenarios, which can make a cardigan play the value of 10 clothes.
1. Core scene dressing formula
Scene | Dressing formula | Material and style recommendation | Matching highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
Business commuting | V-neck wool cardigan + white shirt + trousers + leather shoes | Slim fit, dark (navy/dark gray), single-breasted | An alternative to a blazer that is both formal and not dull, suitable for an office environment |
Everyday leisure | Crew neck cotton and linen cardigan + printed T-shirt + jeans + canvas shoes | Loose fit, light color (off-white/oatmeal), buttonless design | Comfortable and casual, suitable for shopping, drinking coffee, and good breathability |
Date dinner | Green fruit collar cashmere cardigan + turtleneck soles + casual trousers + derby shoes | Slim fit, camel/burgundy, concealed button | Elegant and textured, highlighting taste, warm tones can also bring the distance closer |
Home trips | Zipper-blend cardigan + cotton T-shirt + sweatpants + slippers | Loose fit, grey/black, abrasion resistant material | Easy to put on and take off, can be worn outside or inside, and does not take up space when packing for travel |
2. Advanced Techniques: Layering makes the cardigan more layered
Layering is an “advanced play” of cardigans, especially suitable for spring and autumn, which can not only cope with the temperature difference, but also enhance the sophistication of the outfit:
- Basic layering: cardigan layered shirt – V-neck cardigan with an oxford shirt, the collar and cuffs of the shirt are exposed by 1-2cm, casual and formal, suitable for newcomers to the workplace
- Warm layering: cardigan with turtleneck – a crewneck cardigan with a turtleneck of the same color underneath and straight-leg pants on the bottom, suitable for early winter, simple and not bloated
- Trendy layering: cardigan with POLO shirt – a short cardigan with a POLO shirt underneath, unbuttoned 1-2 buttons, and paired with cargo pants, full of street feel
4. Brand and maintenance: If you buy it, you need to wear it for a long time
1. Brand options for different budgets
Choosing the right brand according to your budget can maximize the cost performance and avoid wasting money:
Affordable range (100-300 yuan)
- Uniqlo: The king of basics, men’s worsted cardigans are extremely cost-effective and suitable for daily wear
- MUJI: Mainly made of cotton and linen, the style is simple, suitable for people who live at home or pursue minimalism
Mid-range (300-800 yuan)
- Jack Jones: The style is more business casual, and the quality of men’s wool cardigans is stable
- Peacebird: The design is more youthful, and the contrasting cardigan and striped cardigan are very trendy
High-end range (above 800 yuan)
- GXG: High-end thread material is high-quality, and men’s cashmere cardigan is finely crafted
- Mark Huafei: Strong sense of design, suitable for people who pursue quality and style
2. Care: Practical tips to extend the life of your cardigan
Many people think that cardigans are “squeamish”, but in fact, if you master the correct care methods, it is no problem to wear them for 3-5 years. The core solves the three major problems of shrinkage, pilling and deformation:
Cleaning points: Wool and cashmere materials are recommended to be dry cleaned, if hand washing with warm water below 30 °C + neutral detergent, do not rub when pressed gently; Cotton, linen, and blended materials are machine washable, choose the gentle mode and put it in a laundry bag.
Drying and storage: avoid exposure to the sun (which will cause fading and hardening of the material), wool and cashmere cardigans are recommended to be laid flat to dry, and cotton and linen cardigans can be hung; When storing, fold it into a dust bag, and put mothballs in a wool cardigan to prevent mothballs.
Daily maintenance: pilling can be used with a hairball trimmer (choose a fine-toothed model) to avoid pulling too hard; If there are wrinkles, they can be hung in the bathroom, and the wrinkles can be removed naturally by steam, and the wool material cannot be ironed at high temperatures.
5. Procurement perspective: Yigu’s cardigan purchase suggestions
As a sourcing agent, I have contacted a large number of cardigan suppliers and found a pattern: cost-effective cardigans are often particular about “material ratio” and “craftsmanship details”. For example, many affordable cardigans will use a ratio of “50% wool + 50% acrylic” to ensure warmth and reduce the probability of pilling. When purchasing, pay attention to checking the density of the stitches – cardigans with 8-10 stitches per centimeter are more durable. In addition, among the new cardigans in 2025, the number of orders for men’s thick stick needle cardigan and Klein blue cardigan has increased significantly, which is worth paying attention to. It is recommended that you buy a cardigan not only by looking at the label, but by touching the texture with your hands: a good wool cardigan feels soft and elastic, and will not have a tingling sensation on the skin.
6. FAQ: Solve your most concerned questions
- Q1: Can men’s cardigans be machine washed? A: It depends on the material. Cotton, linen, acrylic, blended cardigan can be machine washed, choose the gentle mode and put the laundry bag; Wool and cashmere cardigans are not recommended to be machine washed, it is best to dry clean or hand wash them to avoid shrinkage and deformation.
- Q2: What cardigan do plus-size men wear without looking fat? A: Choose a dark (black, navy blue) loose cardigan, align the shoulder line with the widest part of the shoulder, avoid raglan sleeves and large patterns, and wear simple solid color clothing underneath to make it visually slimmer.
- Q3: What is the difference between spring and autumn cardigans and early winter cardigans? A: Spring and autumn cardigans focus on breathability, choose cotton and linen, thin wool materials, with a thickness of 0.3-0.5cm; early winter cardigans focus on warmth, choose thick wool, cashmere, alpaca materials, with a thickness of 0.8-1.2cm, and can be worn with turtlenecks.
- Q4: What should I do if the cardigan pills? A: Use a fine-toothed hair ball trimmer to trim along the hair direction to avoid repeated operation in the same place; Try to avoid rubbing with rough fabrics (such as denim) when wearing it to reduce the probability of pilling.
- Q5: How to choose a couple cardigan so that it is not embarrassing? A: Choose different versions of the same color, such as short crew neck for girls and long V-neck for boys; The material is consistent (such as cotton and linen), and the pattern is simple stripes or checks to avoid too fancy designs.