What jacket to wear with a cardigan for men?

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How to style a men’s cardigan with a jacket will no longer be a secret for you. With the tips and outfit ideas we are going to explore, wearing a cardigan will become your go-to style in winter or mid-season. Although, sometimes, wearing a cardigan on cool summer mornings wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Embracing an outfit with a cardigan as a key element is more than trendy in the fashion sphere. Being a type of pullover with long sleeves that opens at the front, the cardigan is not only practical. It also adds character to your style and provides more comfort. Plus, a combination of a jacket and a cardigan is simply classy!

What is the difference between a cardigan and a jacket?

A little tour into fashion decoding will help us wear a cardigan well. Indeed, knowing how to differentiate the characteristics of men’s cardigans and jackets is an added advantage to easily match them.

Differentiating the cardigan and jacket by their cut

The jacket is a long-sleeved garment worn on the upper body. It opens at the front and its length does not go lower than the hips. Generally, it is worn over clothes, but in winter, wearing a coat over it wouldn’t hurt to stay warm.

The men’s cardigan, on the other hand, is a long-sleeved garment that fastens at the front, either with buttons or a zipper. Depending on the model, it may have a hood or not.

Furthermore, this guide will help you know how to wear a long cardigan for men.

Material: a key point for distinguishing them

From these descriptions, the jacket is in every way similar to a cardigan. The difference lies in the material. While jackets come in a thousand and one materials, cardigans are made of knit, usually from wool or jersey. The most popular materials are natural fibers, notably wool, cashmere, or merino wool.

As a small aside, the cardigan is often associated with the vest. However, there is indeed a difference between a cardigan and a vest. A vest can be sleeveless or have sleeves, while a cardigan always has long sleeves.

Our tips for pairing a men’s cardigan with a jacket

Adopting an outfit composed of a jacket and a men’s cardigan resonates with elegance and style. For a top-notch look and a perfect combination of these outfits, follow the guide:

Choose a piece that highlights your body type

Choosing a men’s cardigan suited to your body type adds value to your style.

• You are tall: go for a chunky knit cardigan and/or one with a bold pattern.
• You are short: opt for a basic solid color cardigan.
• You are round: avoid fine, tight-knit cardigans.
• You are slim: all cuts and styles work for you! Just make sure to button it up to highlight your silhouette.

Focus on cardigan colors

When wearing a cardigan with a jacket, it’s important to know that the patterns and colors of men’s cardigans can make a difference. Between fashion faux pas and trends, the line can be very thin!

• For a thin, solid cardigan: a wide spectrum of colors is acceptable. However, we recommend choosing electric blue or mustard yellow to pair with a more sober jacket: a guaranteed pop of color!
• For a thick cashmere cardigan with a shawl collar or high collar: avoid flashy colors. Instead, lean towards navy blue, brown, light beige, or gray like this model from Tom Ford.

Use knits, patterns, and colors to enhance your look

To create a chic and elegant effect, match a fine-knit cardigan in a subdued color (navy, gray, black, etc.) with a light-colored jacket.

For a casual effect, feel free to pair a chunky knit cardigan with a denim jacket.

Regarding patterns, favor more contemporary designs like color-block or camo for a hype and trendy effect. Opt for Nordic patterns or Fair Isles for a more laid-back look.

Be careful: Avoid pairing a patterned men’s cardigan with a printed top. The ideal is simply to pair a patterned cardigan with a solid jacket or vice versa, a printed jacket with a solid cardigan.

Our top looks for men’s cardigans to wear with a jacket

After carefully choosing your men’s cardigan, here are some outfit ideas to pair it with a jacket:

An elegant and dressed-up cardigan look

For an evening where a dressed-up outfit is required, the jacket and cardigan combo will surely impress. For an elegant look, be sure to choose a fine-knit cardigan in a subdued color. You can choose from gray, navy blue, and why not black. For an elegant touch, opt for a chambray shirt underneath and a suit jacket on top. For the bottom, choose chinos and a pair of leather tassel loafers.

A casual chic look with cardigan and jacket

For this look, wear a chunky knit cardigan with a shirt, a light-colored jacket, slim jeans, and a pair of leather or suede boots.

Know that the shirt is the perfect piece to accompany this look. Ideally, opt for a chambray shirt, a denim shirt, or a checkered shirt.

A casual look with a cardigan

For a casual look, choose a zipped cardigan with a hood. Inside, opt for a t-shirt. Pair it with a boldly patterned or quirky t-shirt, and your look will undoubtedly stand out with its originality. Just avoid V-neck t-shirts, which can be too tight or with a rough neckline. Over the cardigan, choose a sleeveless jacket. Then, complete your outfit with tapered jeans and a pair of low-top sneakers. A pair of transparent sunglasses will enhance your look.

Discover more styles of cardigans for men in this comprehensive guide!

To learn more about cardigans, check out how to wear a cardigan for men!