Men's Cardigan Gifts: Shawl, Button & Zip

A cardigan is defined by its front opening, so start there. The shawl-collar style has a thick rolled collar that frames the neck and reads relaxed-handsome by a fire or over a tee. A button placket (the grandpa cardigan) is the dress-up-or-down workhorse that layers over an oxford. A zip or quarter-zip cardigan throws on fast and skews sporty. Because it wears open, look at the parts a pullover hides: button quality (horn or leather over plastic), placket facing that won't curl, and a collar that holds its roll. Pockets matter on a cardigan he'll lounge in, so favor patch or welt pockets with reinforced corners. For fit, sleeve and torso length count more than chest here, since he'll wear it unbuttoned and pushed up; match a cardigan he owns and size up for chunky shawl-collar knits. Budget about $55-$120 for cotton and lambswool, $100-$240 for hand-knit wool and shawl-collar styles, and $180-$450+ for cashmere. Made-to-order pieces run 2-6 weeks.

Use the filters for closure, fiber, gauge, color, and size, then tap a related search below to zero in on a shawl-collar, button, or zip cardigan.