If there’s one thing to carry through from 2024 into 2025 in terms of menswear essentials, it’s got to be a sense of respecting menswear classics while bending the rules ever-so-slightly in tasteful fashion. That might seem like a tall task, but when Billy Reid steps up to the plate, the Alabama-based designer’s wares tend to shake things up in pleasing fashion.

That certainly goes for one of the best cardigans shown above, of course, but one with a noticeable twist. Just as the famed brand takes staples like a shirt jacket and crosses it with a puffer jacket for rugged appeal (resulting in one of the best shackets for men) the designer is an expert at elevating everyday staples into more refined territory, like a classic cardigan given an eye-catching double-breasted design.

Thus, the Billy Reid French Terry Shawl Cardigan puts a surprising, tasteful twist on a classic, upgrading your rotation of the best winter sweaters for men in the process.

And while the Billy Reid French Terry Shawl Cardigan isn’t quite as versatile as your trusted V-neck or cashmere crewneck sweater to wear at the office, it’s just as visually appealing and ready for a day of meetings or a crisp night out at a moody speakeasy. Not a bad amount of range for one cardigan, right?

And as with all things Billy Reid, the design and fabrication of the Billy Reid French Terry Shawl Cardigan truly place it a cut above the rest, at least in my experience. The flattering shawl collar gets an upgrade in a small-yet-refined way with a suede loop closure at the top button — the details truly do make the difference when it comes to one of the best men’s cardigans.

Soft French Terry cotton should prove easy to layer over a mid-weight flannel shirt, a stretch dress shirt or a thermal henley for rugged-yet-refined appeal. Distinctive hip patch pockets get a classic Billy Reid finishing touch, and the overall effect of the handsome (whether in colors like Oak Brown or Carbon Blue) is one of elegance yet laidback style in spades — it sounds to me like your new favorite cardigan might have just hit the scene, folks.