Jackets are fine and dandy for cold weather, but it's inevitable for fashion conscious men to want something a little more flattering for those cold winter days. Enter the cardigan with its new range of colors and completely modernized, made-for-2009 fit. Whether it's the final touch to an opus of an outfit or a layering piece in a more complex look, a cardigan is something you'll definitely want to get for your winter fashion arsenal.
Which Cardigans Should You Buy?
If you're the kind of guy who's practical with his fashion, it always pays to know exactly the kind of stuff you want. And since cardigans have run the gamut of styles and colors in these past few seasons, planning your selection ahead saves you loads of time as well.
Solid cardigans are like solid suit jackets: they're the classic, ubiquitous choice. It's hard to go wrong with one of them, but only if you don't mind looking like most every other guy on the street who's also wearing a cardigan. A cardigan in classic colors like black, navy, burgundy, olive or any shade of gray, however, makes for a fail-safe style piece that's good for any season and trend.
Graphic cardigans are a more recent innovation, and even the most fashion-conscious of grandpas isn't likely to have had one. Treat it as you would a sweater; go with simple color blocking if you're going for something conservative, while bolder prints like argyle befit those who aren't faint of style. The same basic rules apply as well, especially that one about keeping to three distinct colors at the most.
Regardless of whether you get wools or cashmeres for a print or solid, the most important rule for you to remember is to keep your cardigan as slim as possible without constricting the shirt you wear underneath. It's the only way to truly own your cardigan and keep it from seeming like something you dug out of your grandfather's mothballed wardrobe.
How to Style Your Cardigan
Cardigans work much like either a sweater or a sport coat, depending on the situation. Whatever the style of cardigan you end up getting, though, rest assured that it'll be a piece that's as versatile as anything else in your closet.
Solid cardigans are fairly straightforward pieces, which makes them easy to mix up and match with other pieces. Don one over any similarly slim set of shirt and pants, with a necktie as an optional accessory. If you're willing to notch up your style to 11, a bold tie or shirt makes a clear statement that doesn't go overboard. Just be sure never to wear a bold necktie and a bold shirt and your outfit will do perfectly well.
A printed cardigan, meanwhile, already presents a fashion statement in itself with its off-usual print and design. You'll want to emphasize just how cool that design is, so you'd do best to have a simple shirt and necktie (if any) underneath your cardigan to keep the right things noticeable. If you feel that the cardigan's still too loud, layer everything under a suit jacket or sport coat in a neutral or classic color to balance everything out.
Slim cardigans should be styled with at least an equally slim shirt and necktie. See to it that the shirt is at least a bit more form fitting than the cardigan so that you don't end up with unsightly bulges and lumps. The slim necktie isn women's coats 't for any practical purpose, but to simply maintain a sense of proportion and length in your outfit as a whole. Don't do your tie up too tight and leave a couple of buttons open to create a more laid back vibe.
The cardigan is a style piece worth buying because it strikes a balance between the casual coziness of a sweater and the slightly stuffy formality of a suit or sport jacket. It's also a lot more versatile than either kind of outerwear because you can wear it as the final layer, or simply as one of a more fashion-conscious layering job.
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