Cardigan sweaters

[KarthVader]

Do you gents get your sweaters from a specific place?

Any websites or stores that you recommend?

I'm a student and on a budget, so keep that in mind.

 

[otherstar]

I have several that I got at Kohl's (librarian on a budget).

 

[thebikingengineer]

I'm liking the Gap cardigans this winter, the shawl collar is a good level of chunky and their thinner examples are good for layering. Good quality and good price (great price when my Sister's 50% discount is taken into account).

 

[thunderball]

I get most of my sweaters at Costco or here:

http://www.aransweatermarket.com/asm/

 

[KarthVader]

Picked up a sweater at Kohls for $20. Thanks for the pointers.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

Me + cardigans = dying in a fire...

Sorry, no advice on where to purchase these, lol.

 

[Gene22]

The only way to wear cardigans is with shawl collars. This should be a good starting point - http://shoponline.drakes-london.com...twear-100 cashmere shawl collar cardigan.aspx

 

[KarthVader]

The only way to wear cardigans is with shawl collars. This should be a good starting point - http://shoponline.drakes-london.com...twear-100 cashmere shawl collar cardigan.aspx

A shawl collar is exactly what I got! It's gray with some cable knitting on the front.

I'm wearing it with a white, herringbone shirt and a red, paisley tie. Dark blue jeans on the bottom and black oxfords.

 

[Gene22]

I was only joking about the cashmere one from Drakes, but I'm glad you got one like it! Hopefully one day I'll be able to get one myself.

I think the shawl collar just gives them a vastly superior fit and finish. Everything else you have with it, especially the herringbone shirt, sounds like a simply delightful combination.

 

[Phog Allen]

The only way to wear cardigans is with shawl collars. This should be a good starting point - http://shoponline.drakes-london.com...twear-100 cashmere shawl collar cardigan.aspx

That sweater is EXACTLY what I think of when anyone mentions Cardigans. If I had 650 quid laying around I didn't have a better use for, it would be on the way.

A shawl collar is exactly what I got! It's gray with some cable knitting on the front.

I'm wearing it with a white, herringbone shirt and a red, paisley tie. Dark blue jeans on the bottom and black oxfords.

THIS.

I was only joking about the cashmere one from Drakes, but I'm glad you got one like it! Hopefully one day I'll be able to get one myself.

I think the shawl collar just gives them a vastly superior fit and finish. Everything else you have with it, especially the herringbone shirt, sounds like a simply delightful combination.

Well kidding aside, that is one nice example of a shawl collared Cardigan. My wife calls them old man sweaters which is fine since she also calls me "old man".

Regards, Todd

 

[Gene22]

Well kidding aside, that is one nice example of a shawl collared Cardigan. My wife calls them old man sweaters which is fine since she also calls me "old man".

Regards, Todd

I think shawl collars are the only ones to wear because they specifically DON'T look like "old man sweaters." When someone uses that phrase I think of the ones without the awesome collar and where the buttons start so much lower. Here's an example from the Gap. It's even called the Grandpa Cardigan!

This one also made by Gap, although still a cardigan, has a much different look to it because of not only the shawl collar but the higher buttons as well.

Although women might say different, compare the two of these and notice how one of them is vastly superior to the other.

vs.

 

[Phog Allen]

Gene. You will certainly get no argument from me! Shawl collars rule and that is that. I first became 'aware' of how good they can go with decent dress when I watched My Fair Lady. Rex Harrsion fairly beamed in his sweater with tie. I want one but will wind up taking a good bit of time finding it. I want a WELL MADE sweater but cannot decide whether to go with Merino wool or Cashmere. Whatever it is I want the weave to be fine enough to avoid the scratchies/itchies you sometimes get from animal hair fabrics. I have handled some Brook Brothers Merino that was gorgeously made and soft as down. Man, I really want one of these. And remember, to really set it off with the curmudgeon look, you could wear a straight sided bow tie with it. Quite distinguished I think.

Regards, Todd

BTW, I vastly prefer the front pockets on the first sweater picture you attached. The slash pockets on shawl collared model just don't look as traditional to me. Just a small thing really. Personal preference and all that.

 

[KarthVader]

Update:

I wore the outfit that I previously described to a Christmas party and everyone was delighted and impressed (especially the women at the party). The outfit, especially the tie, was a conversation piece.

As I was pouring sparkling wine into my glass, a girl walked up to me and struck up a conversation:

Girl: "So, I love your tie."
Me: "Yeah? I do too. Thank you."

G: "Did you pick it out yourself? Or did someone help you?"
M: "Picked it out all by myself. I've been keeping an eye out for a red paisley tie for a while. I was lucky to find this."

G: "Really, you dressed yourself? You look so well put together."
M: "It took me a while, but I finally learned how to put colors together, but I'm still experimenting with my style."

Here comes the bombshell....

G: "So.....ummmmm.....are you gay?"
As I almost choke on my sparkling wine...
M: "What would make you ask that? Just because I know how to dress myself and not look like a slob?"

G: "I was just wondering. I don't see guys wearing dark grey cardigans with a shawl collar and red, paisley ties."
M: "That's why I don't date college girls, much less associate with them. Some men like to look and act the part of being distinguished and refined. College girls don't know how to appreciate that."

The girl just looks at me with surprise as I delivered my own shock and awe.

G: "You're a pedophile."
M: "Pedophiles are for people who go for younger women. I like the older women. They know what they want and aren't afraid to ask for it, for the most part. They also know how to appreciate a paisley tie."

The conversation was dull after that; she blathered on and on about her classes and how her ex-boyfriends were jerks. I nodded in semi-interest and continued to become more and more inebriated.

I finished a whole bottle of Tosti by myself and started on a bottle of Yellowtail shiraz. The last I remember of the girl was her trying to get me to ask for her number. I politely declined and bid her good evening.

Thanks for reading this annoyingly long post. And cardigans with shawl collars are great. Hopefully you single gents have better luck than me when it comes to women appreciating your sartorial prowess.

 

[KarthVader]

I think shawl collars are the only ones to wear because they specifically DON'T look like "old man sweaters." When someone uses that phrase I think of the ones without the awesome collar and where the buttons start so much lower. Here's an example from the Gap. It's even called the Grandpa Cardigan!

This one also made by Gap, although still a cardigan, has a much different look to it because of not only the shawl collar but the higher buttons as well.

Although women might say different, compare the two of these and notice how one of them is vastly superior to the other.

vs.

As others have said, and as the above post shows, a shawl collar is superior to the "Grandpa cardigan". I think the shawl mimics a tuxedo jacket and gives it that extra umph.

 

[Jim]

Alone the shawl collar is my choice as well. However add a Harris tweed sport coat or hacking jacket into the mix and it is another story!

 

[KarthVader]

MMmmmmm....tweed

I'm waiting to save up for a tweed jacket. I might even save up for a three piece if I find a good tailor.

 

[Gene22]

As others have said, and as the above post shows, a shawl collar is superior to the "Grandpa cardigan". I think the shawl mimics a tuxedo jacket and gives it that extra umph.

I agree, that's exactly what it does! And let's be honest here, damn nigh everyone looks good in a dinner jacket, it's pretty tough not to. So the closer people can come to looking like they're wearing a tuxedo even when they're not, the better off they're going to be.

I specifically picked those pictures so no one could say, "But that's not fair! Of course Daniel Craig will make a cardigan look better than some random person wearing one." In full disclosure, I have a man-crush on Daniel Craig, but I can easily admit that he looks like a straight-up dork in that first picture.

So to anyone who's actually read to the end of this thread and is still wary of sporting a cardigan - Don't be fooled when some tries calling any and all cardigans "crusty old man clothes." That's a complete load of bullchips. Remember the pictures shown here, and remember the pure awesomeness of the shawl collar!

 

[Pumpkin]

I'm heading towards getting a cardigan soon...although I'll probably tend towards the "grandpa" style as I'm also planning on teaming it with a tweed jacket Then I'll have plenty of pockets for my pipe paraphernalia without needing to resort to a "man bag"

As others have said, and as the above post shows, a shawl collar is superior to the "Grandpa cardigan". I think the shawl mimics a tuxedo jacket and gives it that extra umph.

Are you sure about that?

Sometimes you can go too far with the shawl collar!

 

[professorchaos]

No Cardigan sweaters for me. Mr. Rodgers is not a style I wish to cultivate. Not now, not ever.

 

[Kevan]

I'm 25 and regularly wear cardigans in the colder months. I started when I was 21 or thereabouts, and always got compliments from women (college-age, no less).