How to Style a Shawl Collar Cardigan, by Gentlemen Scholars Club on YouTube. 10 min 13 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 13 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose a chunky shawl collar cardigan in a mid-weight wool or wool and alpaca blend. Donegal yarns have a flecked texture that hides small marks and wear.
Try it on over a shirt and check the shoulders and chest. The knit should sit close without pulling at the buttons or bunching under the arms.
Start with a plain layer underneath. A light Oxford shirt or a fine-gauge t-shirt keeps the bulk down and gives the collar something to sit against.
Button the lower buttons and leave the top one or two open. This creates a V shape that frames the shirt collar instead of covering it.
For a casual outfit, wear it over a t-shirt with dark jeans and leather boots. Keep the rest simple so the knit is the focus.
For a smarter look, wear it over a shirt with wool trousers and leather shoes. A shawl collar cardigan can stand in for a soft blazer.
Stick to neutral colours like navy, grey, oatmeal or brown. These work with most of the trousers and shirts you already own.
Finish with a simple accessory such as a plain scarf or a leather watch strap. Too many extras fight with the chunky knit.
Tips and common mistakes
Skip thick hoodies or heavy shirts under the cardigan, since the extra bulk makes the shoulders look rounded.
Fold the cardigan flat instead of hanging it, because the weight of chunky wool stretches the shoulders on a hanger.
A cardigan that closes easily over a shirt is the right size. If the buttons strain, size up.
Hand wash or dry clean wool and alpaca blends, and dry them flat to keep the shape.
Questions
What should I wear under a shawl collar cardigan?
A plain shirt or a fine-gauge t-shirt works best. Both keep the bulk down and let the thick collar sit neatly.
Can a shawl collar cardigan replace a blazer?
Yes, in casual and smart casual settings. Wear it over a shirt with wool trousers and leather shoes for a softer, warmer alternative.
How should a chunky cardigan fit?
It should sit close across the shoulders and chest while still closing over a shirt. There should be no pulling at the buttons.
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.
