The Best Cardigan Sweaters for Novice and Advanced Layerers Alike

When it comes to essential layers, few pieces offer the kind of range that the best men’s cardigan sweaters do. One day they’re casual and rumpled over a tee, the next they’re sitting professionally under a blazer. From Kurt Cobain to David Hockney to Tyler the Creator, no matter the reference, an essential truth always reveals itself: The cardigan is infinitely versatile. It can go prep, punk, vintage, modern, vintage, casual yet buttoned up, cozy yet put-together.

And please know: Today’s best cardigans aren’t the thin, body-hugging cardigans of trends gone by. Today, the best ones are richly textured, vibrantly colored, sometimes slouchy, sometimes cropped. Treat your cardigan like an overshirt replacement, and it’s a go-to piece of winter layering that’s equal to the task with jeans or pleated trousers. To that end, we’ve searched high and low for the best of the best, and here are 16 we love (folded and stored flat, not hung please!) right now.

The Best Men’s Cardigan Sweaters, According to GQ

The Best Cardigan Overall

J.Crew Cashmere Waffle-Knit Polo Cardigan

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The Best Budget Cardigan

Uniqlo Lambswool Cardigan

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The Best Chunky Cardigan

Buck Mason Seastack Wool Tweed Cable Cardigan

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The Best Textured Cardigan

Banana Republic Cashmere Donegal Cardigan

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The Best Crewneck Cardigan

&Daughter Ada Crewneck Cardigan

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Best Overall: J.Crew

J.Crew

Cashmere Waffle-Knit Polo Cardigan

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Pros

• Made from 100% cashmere
• The polo-cardigan hybrid means it can be dressed up or down.
• Great for layering with a hefty hand feel.

Cons

• Requires hand-washing
• Cashmere construction but comes at a higher price point

A sign of just how interesting the cardigan scene has become? This year, our favorite cardigan isn’t even a traditional cardigan. Just like the overshirt, the polo cardigan as a style has been gaining a lot of traction recently, which makes sense—this is basically the knitwear equivalent. It’s instinctively casual, like most cardigans, but that knit polo collar gives it just enough polish for you to dress it up a little. (Although we’d recommend wearing it with a simple white tee and sexy silver chain.) J.Crew’s take goes all in, with pure cashmere and a waffle-knit texture that reminds you to relax into it.

Best Budget: Uniqlo

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Pros

• 100% lambswool for warmth and softness
• Premium wool feel at an affordable price.
• Versatile layeirng piece that works over a tee or under heavier layers.

Cons

• Prone to pilling over time

Few brands deliver more knitwear for your money than Uniqlo. At this price, you might expect the Japanese giant to have snuck in some nylon or polyester, but no, it’s 100% lambswool, baby. Will it be the softest wool you’ve ever worn? Probably not. Will it pill over time? Perhaps, but charmingly. And for the price, it’s tough to beat — an easy, reliable layer that’s works just as well over a tee as it does under a winter coat. The usual neutrals are on offer, plus a deep green and a golden brown if you’re feeling adventurous.