Men's Sweaters & Sweatshirts - The Ultimate Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Sweater, Cardigan, Sweatshirt, and Hoodie Mistakes Men Make

Here are the most common crewneck and v-neck sweater mistakes I see guys making:

• Wearing crewneck sweaters over a collared shirt.
  Instead, stick to crewneck t-shirts, as these will layer easily underneath. If you want to layer a sweater over a collared shirt, stick to v-neck sweaters and you'll always look great.

• Wearing v-neck shirts over anything that ISN'T a collared shirt.
  V-necks should be layered over dress-collared shirts like Oxfords or regular dress shirts. This means they shouldn't be worn over polos, crewneck tees, or bare chests.

• Going too tight or too loose with the fit.
  You always want to ensure that your sweater fits like a glove and that it isn't rippling or folding too much around the waist.

• Wearing sweaters with holes, pilling, or thinning patches.
  Make sure that your sweaters don't have any holes in them, as this can happen with more delicate fabrics like cashmere or merino wool.

Here are the most common cardigan mistakes I see guys making:

• Going for brighter colors.
  As they are usually crafted from thicker fabrics, big colorful cardigans can often be super overpowering. A white, cream, or beige shade will get dirty quickly and will just make you look like a sheep.

• Layering a shawl collar cardigan under a jacket.
  These should always be worn as your outer layer.

• Buttoning them up (if you're a bigger guy).
  If you’re a larger guy, regular cardigans are never to be worn buttoned up AND only underneath another item as a layering piece. For shawl collar cardigans, you should absolutely wear them on their own but never buttoned up.

Here are the most common sweatshirt and hoodie mistakes I see guys making:

• Wearing bold or bright colors.
  Brighter shades, like red and yellow, can clash with certain skin tones and can be harder to pair with other items, and are not able to be paired universally in outfits.

• Going for sweatshirts or hoodies with big logos or designs.
  These are super childish and distracting.

• Using a hoodie or sweatshirt to hide a belly.
  This does not work because the stomach pouch just adds to the heft in your midsection instead of breaking it up.

Types Of Sweaters

Crewneck Sweater

• Crewneck sweaters belong in your closet because they look sleek and sexy, and are extremely versatile.

• Add them into outfits for warmth, as a layer or to add a little extra touch of style.

V-Neck Sweater

• The v-neck also has a notably dressier look than a crewneck sweater.

• This means that it works really well with more formal items like blazers, suits, semi-spread collar dress shirts, and more.

Cardigan

• Just like crewneck sweaters, they’re great worn over most shirts (even with ties) except polo shirts because the collars never lay or look right.

• These can pretty much be worn underneath everything up to a suit.

Shawl Collar Cardigan

• Because of their thicker collars, shawl-collar cardigans should only ever be worn as your outer layer.

  • Think of them like 'knit jackets'.

• Always leave the top button undone.

Sweatshirt

• A sweatshirt is a classic casual item.

• It works great for athleisure outfits, casual jeans-and-sneaker looks, and more. 

Hoodie

• A hoodie differs from a sweatshirt in that it may or may not have exposed stitching.

• As the name implies, it always has a matching hood.

Alternative Sweater Options

Here are some more sweater options that I wouldn't necessarily consider essential but they definitely deserve a mention in this guide:

The Turtleneck

• Turtleneck and mock neck sweaters don't work all year round but can add a touch of refinement to your casual and smart casual cold-weather outfits.

• I prefer a roll neck style to a mock neck sweater but make sure that it only covers half to three-quarters of your neck and does not go all the way up to your chin. 

The Quarter Zip

• These only work on older guys and I’m talking late 30s upwards.

  • Any younger than that and they just age you up and not in a good way.

• However, if you do fall into this older age bracket, then they can work wonders to make you look both smart and sophisticated. 

• Just don’t go for anything higher than a quarter zip, like a half or full zip.

The Cable-Knit Sweater

• This isn’t necessarily a type of sweater but is more of a variation on the classic crewneck.

• This option really skyrocketed in popularity after Chris Evans wore one in Knives Out and since then, it hasn't really gone out of style.

• A cable-knit sweater is a great way of adding some texture to your outfits, but you want to be careful to keep the rest of your look streamlined and neutral to make the pattern really pop.

The Long-Sleeve Polo

• Contrary to popular belief this in fact not a long-sleeve version of your standard short-sleeved polo shirt.

• Long-sleeve polos are actually crafted from a heavier material, which basically makes them knitwear, which basically makes them sweaters.

• They can work really well as a casual item, either with the sleeves down or rolled up.

• Just don’t wear them with your smarter outfits, as they can look really off in the wrong setting.

Fabrics

Sweaters/ Cardigans

Choose the fabric that best fits your budget and lifestyle.

• Cashmere

  The most luxurious and expensive option. It is a delicate fabric, so if you're hard on your clothes, go for cotton instead.
  

• Wool (Merino or regular)

  Warm, looks great, and is a good choice if you consider the price-to-value ratio. It's a little more robust than cashmere, but Merino is still on the delicate side. Regular wool is hearty enough to take a little more abuse.
  

• Cotton

  Reliable and widely available option; synthetic blends also work great, as they look good and aren't too expensive, and are the most robust fabrics.
  

• Blends

  If you run a little warmer, go for a wool/silk or cotton-blended sweater or cardigan because it's usually a lighter weight. Pima cotton is also great, but it stretches out very easily.

Sweatshirts + Hoodies

Unlike sweaters and cardigans, sweatshirts are always made of cotton (or a cotton blend), so stick with that. It can be a blend with a little stretch, but no more than a single-digit percentage otherwise it'll look overly shiny in person.

Hoodies can be any type of fabric you like - but if you're not wearing it while working out, avoid any tech fabrics with stretch or Lycra in them because these will have a shine or sheen that looks off in non-workout looks.

Colors

Sweaters/ Cardigans

Black

• Black sweaters are great because they'll go with practically everything.

• Wear them with your favorite pair of dark-wash jeans or chinos, or pair them with black jeans for a monochromatic look.

• Also, a black v-neck looks great when layered over your white dress shirts and paired with charcoal or black items.

Navy

• A navy sweater is a timeless addition to your wardrobe and works great when layered over a white or gray shirt.

• A navy v-neck sweater also has a classic aesthetic that looks great when layered over your white or light blue Oxford dress shirt.

• Pair yours with sand chinos for a classic color combo or wear with your dark wash jeans or navy chinos for a monochromatic look.

Charcoal

• After black and navy, charcoal is the most versatile shade for your sweaters. It goes well with blue, black, brown, or even gray pants.  

Sweatshirts + Hoodies

Heather Gray

• Heather gray is very versatile and works with every skin tone.

• It has a casual vibe that looks great with everything from dark-wash denim to joggers in a matching shade.

Charcoal/Black

Charcoal gray or black are also good options if you wear black pants often. If you don't, just stick to one heather gray hoodie and/or sweatshirt.

How a Crewneck/V-Neck Sweater Should Fit

1. The shoulder seam ends where the shoulder starts sloping down.

2. Fit close to the bicep and tricep without any excess fabric. Maximum of 1 inch (2.5cm) when pinching.

3. Lightly hug your torso. Pinch no more than 2 inches (5cm) and no less than 1 inch (2.5cm) on either side of your belly button.

4. Make sure the bottom is no more than 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) past your belt buckle.

5. Ensure the sleeves generally stop around the bend of your wrist with no bunching.

NOTE:

Sweaters made with wool, cashmere, or blends are harder to tailor because these fabrics can be fragile and hard to work with. This means that you should always try and find a sweater in these fabrics that fits perfectly off the rack. The only exception is cotton - this can easily be tailored, but I'd recommend finding perfect fits off the rack as the best option.

How a Cardigan Should Fit

1. Fit close to the bicep and tricep without any excess fabric. Maximum of 1 inch (2.5cm) when pinching.

2. Lightly hug your torso. Pinch no more than 2 inches (5cm) and no less than 1 inch (2.5cm) on either side of your belly button.

3. Ensure the sleeves generally stop around the bend of your wrist with no bunching.

4. Make sure the bottom is no more than 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) past your belt buckle.

How a Sweatshirt/Hoodie Should Fit

1. Shoulder seam ends where the shoulder starts sloping down.

2. Fit close to the bicep and tricep without any excess fabric—maximum of 1 inch (cm) when pinching.

3. Lightly hug your torso. Pinch no more than 2 inches (5cm) and no less than 1 inch (2.5cm) on either side of your belly button.

4. Make sure the bottom is no more than 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) past your belt buckle

5. Ensure the sleeves generally stop around the bend of your wrist with no bunching.

How To Wear Sweaters, Cardigans, and Sweatshirts Properly

Crewneck Sweaters

Crewneck sweaters look great in casual outfits or can dress down your more formal attire, like a suited look, while still adding a warm and stylish layer to your overall appearance. Though they can be worn over collared shirts, this doesn't always look great, so I'd recommend layering them over crewneck t-shirts unless you really know what you're doing.

V-Neck Sweaters

The v-neck sweater has a dressier aesthetic than its crewneck cousin, and as such it should only be paired with smarter items. It should only ever be worn over a collared dress shirt and never over any of the following:

• Crewneck/v-neck t-shirts

• Polo shirts

• Bare skin

Cardigans

Regular cardigans can pretty much be worn underneath everything up to a suit.

If you’re a larger guy, they are to be worn buttoned up AND only underneath another item as a layering piece.

If you have a regular or slim body type, then you can wear regular cardigans on their own, but almost always buttoned up – leave the bottom button undone so it lays nicely and doesn’t look bunched up while you’re sitting. I think when they’re worn unbuttoned, they lose their structure and get really floppy and messy looking.

Shawl Collar Cardigans

Shawl collar cardigans, since they’re usually made of thicker wool or cotton, are typically worn on their own. Think of them as knit jackets, basically, and wear them in their place.

If you’re a broader guy, you should absolutely wear them on their own but never buttoned up. Leaving it unbuttoned breaks up your width nicely and looks great and hides those problem areas around the midsection and upper body. I really love them for this body type.

If you’re any other body type, you can wear your shawl collar cardigan buttoned or unbuttoned, but remember to leave the bottom button undone, of course.

Sweatshirts + Hoodies 

These look great with more casual items like chinos and denim and are a great alternative to a sweater for casual outfits. However, they can also be dressed up in a business-casual way, as long as it's okay to lean toward the casual side of business casual.

Outfit Ideas

Crewneck Sweater

Here, we're blending dressy and casual items, combining smart wool trousers with a laidback trucker jacket. Notice how the white crewneck tee under the sweater adds a refreshing pop of color to the overall look.

V-Neck Sweater

As shown here, blue really is one of those colors that allows you to mix and match different shades without it looking too overwhelming. Feel free to swap out the navy sweater for one in black or charcoal for an equally stylish look.

Regular Cardigan

Here we can see how a cardigan works as the perfect middle ground between a shirt and a crewneck sweater here. If you wanted to add some extra insulation, you could always wear a charcoal overcoat on top.

Shawl Collar Cardigan

Here we have a classic and cozy cold-weather outfit with our shawl cardigan acting as our outer layer. Notice how we're keeping the top button unbuttoned and I love the pop of white, courtesy of the crewneck t-shirt layered underneath.

Sweatshirt

This is a clean and comfortable casual outfit that keeps things stylish and neutral. Swap out the joggers for a pair of dark wash jeans or navy chinos for a more elevated aesthetic.

Hoodie

Going for an all-black athleisure look never fails to impress and the addition of a black trucker jacket adds some bonus style points (and insulation). Also, got to love the white low tops (and no-show socks) which contrast nicely with the darkness of the rest of the outfit.