THERE'S no two ways about it; cardigans are underrated.
Men's cardigans are the epitome of cosy, fashionable and warm as a stylish extra layer for the cooler days.
They can be considered wardrobe staples as they add a little extra to most outfits, and you'll definitely find a new addition in this list of the best men's cardigans UK.
They may have been given an unfairly bad rap over the years, and too many ill-fitting examples have saturated the market, but find a good one, and it’s surprisingly versatile.
Indeed, cardigans can be dressed up as easily as they can be worn casually. You can combine them with jeans and a T-shirt but also finish off a tailored trouser and shirt combination.
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From what to look out for to the best men's cardigans on the market, here’s everything you need to know about this knitwear essential.
Best men's cardigans at a glance:
- Best overall men's cardigan: Amazon Essentials Cardigan
- Best warm cardigan: Cotton Blend Fair Isle Cardigan
- Best cardigan with pockets: Premium Lambswool V-Neck Cardigan
- Best lightweight zip cardigan: Gant Classic Cotton Zip Cardigan
- Best cotton cardigan: Cotton Blend Textured Shawl Collar Cardigan
Amazon Essentials Cardigan
- Amazon Essentials Cardigan, £23.80 from Amazon - buy here
Amazon Essentials can be relied upon for just that - well-designed, quality basics that will help form the backbone of your wardrobe.
Take this simple cardigan as an example. It’s made from 100% cotton and comes in a flattering regular fit, with details including patch pockets at the front and contrasting buttons.
It’s a simple design but one that’s executed with an impressive level of detail.
With over 9,000 ratings and a superb 4.3-star rating, you can be sure this is a great addition to any wardrobe.
One customer praised the item for its 'fantastic value' and that the 'cardigan is exactly as it looked' and 'It is well made and looks much more'.
Material: 100% cotton Size: XS-XXL
Hisir Autumn Cardigan
- Hisir Mens Autumn Knitted V-Neck Cardigan, £24.90 from Amazon - buy here
There are a couple of features that set this Hisir cardigan apart.
First is the ribbed knitting, which gives it plenty of texture and a slightly chunkier feel that is perfect for pairing with jeans.
The second is the raglan shoulders. This is a more relaxed alternative to in-set sleeves, giving the shoulder line a smooth, unbroken finish that’s both comfortable and flattering.
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Material: 60% Acrylic, 25% Polyester, 15% Nylon Size: S-XL
Cotton Blend Textured Shawl Collar Cardigan
- Cotton Blend Textured Shawl Collar Cardigan, £40 from M&S - buy here
M&S is a go-to destination for simple, well-made classics, and this cardigan is no exception.
When you need a simple extra layer, this classic cotton-blend cardigan is the perfect addition coming with some handy pockets to provide some extra storage.
Made from a mixture of polyester and recycled cotton, this planet-conscious piece maintains its comfortable feel; this is a style you can wear with practically anything, from denim jeans and polos to chinos and shirts.
Customers agree that it's a wardrobe staple, as one reviewer who left a perfect 5-star rating called it a 'very nice quality' cardigan and that they also believe it 'will go with anything'.
Material: 62% polyester, 38% cotton Size: XS-4XL
Cotton Blend Fair Isle Cardigan
- Cotton Blend Fair Isle Cardigan, £45 from M&S - buy here
Who said you cant stay snug and warm while also looking stylish?
This Fair Isle Cardigan does just that while providing you with a traditional pattern and textered lower half adding a little spice to your outfit couldnt be simpler.
The close-fitting ribbing at bottom and the cuffs help trap some body heat in and the breeze out making this the peftect item for easy layering.
Material: 62% polyester, 38% cotton Size: S-4XL
Goodthreads Shawl Cardigan Jumper
- Goodthreads Men's Soft Cotton Shawl Cardigan Jumper, £29.56 on Amazon - buy here
If you want to experiment with colour but don’t want to push the boat out too far, teal is a great shout. This is a shade that’ll pair well with everything from stone and off-white to darker tones of navy and even black.
It suits this shawl collar style particularly well and is ideal for finishing off a denim jean and white tee combo.
Material: 100% cotton Size: M
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Gant Classic Cotton Zip Cardigan
- Classic Cotton Zip Cardigan, £135 from Gant - buy here
For a slightly sportier feel, you might want to consider a zip-up cardigan.
Coming with a funnel neck and two large hand-warmer pockets, this one from Gant is made from a durable, mid-weight cotton and polyester blend that’ll keep you warm and stylish year-round.
Material: 100% cotton Size: S-4XL
Lambswool Rich Zip Up Cardigan
- Lambswool Rich Zip Up Cardigan, £110 from M&S - buy here
It's time to wrap up in luxurary with this exquisite Lambswool zip up cardigan.
At 80% Lambswool and 20% recycled Nylon its a staple cardigain that not only looks and feel exqusite, it's also planet concious.
Inspired by Cornwall and a focus on sustainable fabrics each piece is made to last, so despite being a little more pricey its a piece you'll be able to pick up year in year out whenever the wind gets a little bit too much.
Material: 80% lambswoo, 20% recycled nylon Size: S-M
COS Double-Faced Merino Wool Cardigan
- Double-Faced Merino Wool Cardigan, £85 from COS - buy here
For designs with a more directional feel, COS is a great place to start.
Its minimal designs often feature contemporary, relaxed fits and interesting fabrics, making it perfect if you want something a little different.
This cardigan is a case in point with its double-faced merino wool fabric and suitably pared-back aesthetic.
Material: 65% RWS Merino wool, 28% Organic cotton, 6% Polyamide, 1% Elastane Size: S-M
Uniqlo Premium Lambswool V-Neck Cardigan
- Premium Lambswool V-Neck Cardigan, £39.90 from Uniqlo - buy here
It’s difficult to go wrong with Uniqlo. From its denim jeans to its underrated tailoring, this is a brand you could easily dress head-to-toe in.
It’s been making its lambswool cardigan for years now and has perfected the simple, wearable design.
It holds a fantastic 4.6-star rating on the retailer's site as well, so it's not a shock that shoppers have been snatching it up, calling it a 'beautiful cardigan' or noting that it 'fits perfectly and is becoming [their] favourite'.
Material: 100% high-quality 19.5 micron wool. Size: XXS
Arket Wool Shirt Cardigan
- Wool Shirt Cardigan, £129 from Arket - buy here
For something a bit more different still, look out for button-through collared styles, which are a cross between knitted polos and traditional cardigans.
This one by Arket also boasts two chest pockets, giving it a utilitarian feel.
If you're interested in this piece you should act fast as their previous wool shirt sold out fairly fast.
Material: 100% wool Size: S-XL
Sirplus Navy Merino Nehru Cardigan
- Navy Merino Nehru Cardigan, £250 from Sirplus - buy here
Featuring a chunky merino wool fabric, a fisherman rib stitch, a Nehru collar, two large pockets and a button through front, this Sirplus design is as much a jacket as it is a cardigan.
Designed for versatility and comfort, try yours with an Oxford shirt and dark denim jeans, and you can’t go wrong.
With some sizes having as few as 2 left in stock
Material: 100% Merino Wool Size: S-XXL
Where to buy men's cardigans in the UK
Finding the best cardigan that hits the perfect balance of being warm and providing extra style is a complete game changer for a wardrobe.
With that in mind finding the best one that suits your needs is quite important so heres a short list to help you get started with the search.
- Amazon
- M&S
- Uniqlo
- Arket
- ASOS
How much do men's cardigans cost?
While picking the perfect cardigan is extremely important, taking into account how much you'll have to spend to add it to your wardrobe is just as important.
If looking for a more simplistic staple the pricing is generally at the lower end meaning you'll be looking to spend around £20.
If you're looking for a more stylish piece made of higher quality material such as Lambswool its much higher at the £100 mark.
How to style a cardigan
Though they're generally seen as a more casual form of knitwear, it is possible to dress up cardigans in a way that feels effortless and individual.
We love pairing a blue or navy cardigan with a crisp white cotton shirt (we love this one from Uniqlo), then adding a pair of straight-fit indigo jeans and some worn-in white trainers. It's an outfit that screams Sunday.
What to look out for
Fit
As with the majority of knitwear, fit is arguably the most important factor to consider.
Unlike crew necks and roll necks, cardigans have some form of closure at the front, whether buttons, zips or tabs. It’s essential these can actually be fastened comfortably; the quickest way to tell you're wearing a poorly fitting cardigan is if you’re struggling to button it up.
But the same is true if it’s too baggy. Oversized is all well and good, but a cardigan will just look sloppy if it’s too big. To find the sweet spot, think of the cardigan as you might a blazer: You want to be able to do it up without the fabric pulling at the chest or waist, yet you need enough room for lighter garments underneath.
If you’re in between sizes, make sure to get the next size up, as one that’s slightly too big will always look better than one that’s too small.
Fabric
Another thing to consider is fabric.
Generally, you’ll find two sorts of fabric with cardigans. The first is the lighter-weight merino wool, which is often found with smarter v-neck cardigans, the kind you might wear to the office.
Then there’s the chunkier kind, which is usually a lambswool or similar. These are often woven into thicker styles, with ribbed patterns or robust shawl collars.
While both have their place, lighter-weight fabrics are generally smarter, while thicker, heavier fibres tend to be more casual. So think about when and where you’ll wear yours and make the decision based on that.
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