how to wear a shawl cardigan

The shawl collar cardigan. How about it, folks? An essential, casual winter layer, yes? Now, we’ve talked about more refined style moves like how to wear a topcoat this winter (and you can certainly put that same Todd Snyder topcoat to use here as your outer layer), but let’s go a little more casual and talk about how to wear a shawl cardigan this winter. Of course, with Valentine’s Day on the horizon next week, this can also serve as a guide on what guys should wear for Valentine’s Day. Ya dig? To get even more specific, let’s talk about how to wear the Peregrine Waffle Cardigan, a rugged-yet-versatile, classic shawl cardigan that’s going to complement plenty of your favorite casual style essentials this season. Consider this a slightly different take on my 2020 guide to wearing a cardigan, complete with a bit more laidback, relaxation-ready appeal. Why go with a shawl cardigan for winter? It’s simple, really.

The shawl neck gives it a more burly build, insulating you from the cold (seriously, you could wear this cardigan with just a scarf and a Huckberry beanie cap, sans jacket, if you really needed to get out there). And the shawl collar cardigan is a favorite of current style icons (think Daniel Craig as James Bond) and past style luminaries (look at Steve McQueen’s shawl cardigan) in equal measure. If it’s good enough for them, it’s more than good enough for you. When you pair it with casual-yet-rugged pieces like your favorite henley and the perfect casual watch (from Timex!), it only gets better. Heck, we’re even throwing some Woodford Reserve whiskey into the mix for at-home enjoyment. Keep scrolling for the rest of this #OOTD, and be sure to give me a follow on Instagram to see how I’m styling my winter gear from Huckberry and beyond this season.

A mix of rugged and casual style essentials for days and nights at home (including your favorite whiskey, of course).

The Shawl Cardigan: Peregrine Waffle Cardigan, $189 — From the warming British wool fabric to the rugged shawl construction for insluation against the cold, this is your new favorite sweater for winter, no doubt about it. It’s assuredly one of the best men’s cardigans, agreed?
The Long-Sleeve Tee: Proof 72-Hour Merino Long-Sleeve Tee, $92 — Simply put, a casual long-sleeve tee is the ultimate grab-and-go layer for cold weekend and weekday mornings and nights at home, no questions asked, and Proof makes one of the best men’s T-shirts around.
The Pants: Western Rise Spectrum Joggers, $128 — Part chino, part sweatpant and as versatile as can be, these comfortable pants to wear at home feature a slim fit and an elastic waistband — no one will know you’re not wearing a belt, and that’s what these days need.
The Shoes: GREATS Foster Slippers, $99 — Maybe you, like me, view this outfit as the perfect at-home style ensemble. In that case, the GREATS Foster Slippers are some of the most stylish slippers you can buy, and you can even wear ’em out of the house without missing a beat.
The Watch: Timex M79 Stainless Steel Automatic Watch, $279 — The Timex M79 is a newfound favorite among stylish guys (like yourself), and in this case, it’s the perfect casual watch for this ensemble.
The Winter Hat: Huckberry Beanie, $28 — This #OOTD calls for one of the best men’s winter hats, and in this case, it’s a rugged beanie to hide your bedhead on Zoom calls and keep you warm in front of the fire.
The Home Bar Cart Essential: Infused Skull Globe Decanter Set, $90 — Today’s ensemble is all about laidback relaxation, and what better way to kick back than with your favorite winter whiskey, served from this incredibly cool decanter set and sold by Bespoke Post?
The Winter Whiskey: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, $57 — Even when kicked back at home, life should be about the little things, like an incredible winter whiskey from Woodford Reserve (best enjoyed out of your cool decanter set and delivered by alcohol delivery service Drizly).

Maybe it’s just me, but this outfit just speaks to me as far as excellent, truly casual, laidback-but-not-sloppy winter style is concerned. When you want to switch up your work-from-home wardrobe and transition into happy hour without missing a beat, or when you want to refresh your wardrobe (and your winter cocktail) on the weekend, I don’t think you can go wrong with one of the best men’s cardigans, for starters. It’s a classic and rugged move, and it’s made all the more comfortable thanks to one of the best men’s T-shirts around, a nice change of pace from a typical Oxford shirt.

The casual and comfortable at-home vibes get even better, though. That’s because the Western Rise Spectrum Joggers toe the line between chinos and sweatpants with ease, and they wear quite nicely alongside the GREATS Foster Slippers for the perfect balance of “at-home” or “quick store trip” style. You can’t skimp on your accessories even on casual days, so the Timex M79 is a reliable timepiece to throw on, while our friends at Huckberry come through with one of the best men’s winter hats for chilly, snowy days. Last but not least, a relaxed outfit calls for a relaxing pour of whiskey, so what better way to serve it than out of the incredibly unique Infused Skull Globe Decanter Set, right? Oh, and if I had my way, I know what you’ll be sipping on: Some winter whiskey from Woodford Reserve, naturally. That’s all I’ve got for today. Happy shopping and happy weekend hangs, folks!

So, another cold winter day dawns, and there you stand, looking at your closet inquisitively. It’d be nice to have a sweater that mixes things up from the routine, something that stands out quitely and stylishly for its versatility and toughness … my friends, I’ve found that classic sweater for you. But what to wear it with? That’s why we’re here today to talk how to wear a shawl collar cardigan, and specifically, the excellent Faherty Brand sweater shown below — it’s refined enough for the office (more on that in a second), yet equally at home when out and about this winter. The best shawl collar cardigan on the market? Well, it’s certainly up there. The rugged shawl cardigan is a layering favorite of menswear luminaries like Daniel Craig (we’re big fans of his here), and we’re drawing a bit of inspiration from him as to how we style your new favorite sweater this winter. So, you’re going to find handy cold-weather essentials like a rugged waxed quilted parka, plus must-haves like the best men’s pants for winter weather (but they’re far from snow pants, rest assured). Other winter-friendly pieces, like the remarkably tough Nicks Boots Falcon Boots, are going to carry you through the season handily and in style. But as we’ve said before, you’ve got to kick it off the right way — with perhaps the best shawl collar cardigan around. From there, the possibilities are endless. OK, let’s dive in.

A cozy cardigan goes very well with other rugged, winter-ready menswear picks.

The Shawl Cardigan: Faherty Brand Marled Cotton Cardigan, $228 — The thing with figuring out how to wear a shawl collar cardigan … is that it’s all got to start with the right shawl cardigan. In fact, it’s got to start with one of the best shawl cardigans. Faherty Brand achieves that aim quite nicely.
The Winter Jacket: Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed Field Jacket, $348 — Listen, when your main layer is one of the best shawl cardigans, you’ve got to ensure the rest of your winter #OOTD is on-point. To wit. The Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed Field Jacket is remarkable, and one of the toughest winter jackets you’re apt to find.
The Classic Shirt: Western Rise TechWool Flannel Shirt, $119 — Most flannel shirts aren’t like the Western Rise TechWool Flannel Shirt. Made with a unique moisture-wicking fabric that blends durability and performance, this could be one of the best winter shirts for layering.
The Pants: Proof Rover Pants, $98 — Listen, let’s not pull punches here — you need some of the best men’s pants for winter weather, the kind you can wear to the office and on the road. The Proof Rover Pants are just those pants. (In fact, you should read why they’re my favorite pants — plain and simple).
The Rugged Leather Boots: Nicks Boots Falcon Boots, $445.98 — Listen, when it’s tough out there … you need the best boots for winter. Enter the uniquely rugged, exceptionally tough Nicks Boots Falcon Boots. These are one-of-a-kind, winter-ready boots.
The Watch: 5.11 Tactical Field Watch, $169.99 — For a shade under $170, you’re getting one of the best casual watches (and one of the toughest casual watches), built with a rugged 44mm case and a scratch-resistant mineral crystal face. Winter weather doesn’t stand a chance.
The Hat: Wills Cashmere Ribbed Beanie, $75 — It’s not getting any warmer out there, so to make your winter days (slightly) more pleasant, you might as well wear a stylish cashmere beanie … right?
The Everyday Bag: Tanner Goods Simple Tote, $130 — Although the name might not make it sound that way, the Tanner Goods Simple Tote packs one heck of a punch — it’s one of the most durable everyday bags your author has seen, and given its ‘simple’ and easy-to-transport design, Tanner Goods has a winner on its hands (and yours).
(Not Pictured) The Gloves: Hestra Deerskin Wool Gloves, $120 — Listen, it’s not the time to mess around with winnter weather. These Hestra gloves are well-reviewed, sleek-yet-stylish, and highly durable — making them some of the best winter gloves for men that you can buy.

From the small accessories that make a big difference (like the best winter gloves for men) to the small details that actually come in quite handy (witness one of the more durable everyday bags out there), I’d say this #OOTD is primed to take on the season in style. From the office — thanks to the Western Rise TechWool Flannel Shirt — to the speakeasy and your favorite coffee shop, wearing one of the best shawl cardigans really can take you just about anywhere. The key here is ensuring you’re looking sharp both in and out of the elements, so a tough winter jacket like the Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed Field Jacket is going to be your best friend when it comes to winter layering. Naturally, winter-ready boots are going to keep you safe and dry, no matter how snowy it gets out there. Of course, the seemingly insignificant details shouldn’t be overlooked — that’s why you’re wearing one of the toughest casual watches, after all. And when you mix it all up with some of the best men’s pants for winter weather, your entire look is complete in a way that’s both office-friendly and yet rugged & adventure-ready. But going back to what we’ve said before, the right shawl cardigan makes it all go round. Check it out for yourself, then let me know how you feel on Twitter. Thanks for reading!

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Tag / how to wear a shawl cardigan

#OOTD: How to Wear a Shawl Cardigan Casually for Men This Winter

#OOTD: The Best Way to Layer Up with a Shawl Cardigan This Season