9 Types of Cardigans by Name (That Won't Make You Look Like an Old Man), by Dapper Confidential on YouTube. 1 min 7 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 7 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Pick a shawl collar cardigan in a mid-weight knit such as lambswool, merino or cotton. Very chunky yarn makes the rolled collar bulky and shapeless.
Check the shoulders first. The seam should sit right at the edge of your shoulder, because going a size up makes the shawl collar droop and lose its shape.
Look at the hem. It should land at or just below your belt line, roughly mid-fly, which keeps the proportions modern rather than frumpy.
Test the sleeves. They should end at your wrist bone so about a centimetre of shirt cuff can show when you layer it over a shirt.
Wear it over a button-down shirt or a fine-gauge crew neck top. A collared shirt gives you a smarter look, a plain tee keeps it casual.
Button the middle buttons and leave the bottom one open. If your cardigan has no buttons, wear it open and let the collar frame your chest.
Keep the shirt collar inside the shawl collar rather than flipping it over the top, which hides the shape that makes this style work.
Add a topcoat over the top in cold weather. A shawl collar sits neatly inside the coat lapels, but skip a very slim coat over a chunky knit.
Stick to navy, charcoal, grey or oatmeal for your first one. Pair it with wool trousers or chinos and leather shoes or clean minimal sneakers.
Tips and common mistakes
Steam the collar after wearing it so the roll stays crisp instead of curling up at the edges.
Avoid buttoning all the way to the neck, since a closed shawl collar looks tight and dated.
Keep the rest of the outfit simple: the textured collar is already the focal point.
If you want a sharper office look, try the cardigan blazer, which has a blazer silhouette in a knit fabric.
Questions
What should I wear under a shawl collar cardigan?
A button-down shirt, a fine-gauge crew neck top or a plain quality t-shirt all work. Match the formality of the top to where you are going.
Do shawl collar cardigans have buttons?
Some do and some are open-front with just a belt or no fastening at all. Buttoned versions are easier to wear casually, while open styles look more relaxed.
Can I wear one to the office?
Yes, in a fine-gauge knit over a shirt with tailored trousers. Keep the colours muted and the fit close to the body for a smart casual look.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
