When it comes to men’s fashion, striking the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication can sometimes be a challenge. However, there is one versatile wardrobe staple that effortlessly bridges the gap: the casual sweatshirt. Traditionally associated with relaxed, laid-back outfits, the sweatshirt has undergone a modern transformation, becoming a key piece for creating stylish and sophisticated looks.
In this article, we will show you how to elevate your fashion game by incorporating a casual sweatshirt into your wardrobe with finesse. Whether you’re heading out for a casual outing, a weekend brunch, or even a semi-formal event, the humble sweatshirt can be your secret weapon to achieve a refined and effortlessly chic appearance.
We’ll explore different styling techniques, from layering the sweatshirt with tailored pieces to pairing it with statement accessories. Discover how to choose the right fit, fabric, and color to create a polished and fashion-forward ensemble that exudes confidence and sophistication.
Get ready to revolutionize your wardrobe and embrace the marriage of comfort and style. With our expert tips and tricks, you’ll master the art of looking insanely sophisticated with a casual sweatshirt. It’s time to break the boundaries and rewrite the fashion rules, proving that a sweatshirt can be your ticket to effortless elegance.
So, gentlemen, join us on this sartorial journey as we unravel the secrets of turning a casual sweatshirt into a symbol of refined style. Prepare to leave a lasting impression with your impeccable fashion sense, making heads turn wherever you go. Get ready to redefine the way the world perceives the humble sweatshirt, showcasing your sophistication in the most effortless way possible.
In This Story…
How To Wear Sweaters
Sweaters are far more playful fashion pieces than most men tend to think. There are countless ways to style it up:
- Sweater with a suit
- Sweater with a casual blazer
- Sweater with a denim jacket
- Sweater with a leather jacket
- Sweater with a bomber jacket
- Sweater on its own with a tee and jeans
Let’s get into the minute details of sweater styling so that you can figure out the right look for you.
Sweater Fabrics
A cluey buyer won’t touch a sweater that’s made from synthetics. You should aim to purchase garments made from cotton or merino wool. Cashmere is a luxurious alternative, if you have the means.
The benefits of these fabrics will be clear to those of you with an understanding of the superiority of natural fibres: they have a natural texture, ventilate well, and retain a natural shape over time. Leave the polyester-viscose pullovers in the final clearance tray (even if they’re a third of the price).
Sweater Textures
Here’s where you can experiment. Ribbed, cabled, and waffle knit variations offer their own advantages, adding depth to plain ensembles and visual interest to monochromatic colour choices.
The choice of weave can also determine the garment’s thickness – heavier weaves are naturally more suited to the nastiest parts of winter. Thin, plain weaves have the most range, as they can be worn solo in autumn, as a layer in winter, and again by themselves in spring.
Sweater Fitment
Personal preference will determine this to a large degree, but we can’t resist telling you what to do anyway. As a rule, you should wear a slim, tailored sweater if the rest of your kit is tailored.
The loose scoop neck that you wore to inter-varsity lacrosse five years ago won’t flatter your favourite Brioni number. By the same token, skinny jeans might look mismatched with a plump shawl collar cardigan. Chunky knits are good for casual layering on your days off, slim thin-weave sweaters are the go for the nine to five.
Here are the top five sweater types for men this season, ensuring the modern man knows how to wear the smart casual sweater – from the office, to the bar, to the city streets.
RELATED: How To Layer Your Clothing
How To Wear Crew Neck Sweaters
The workhorse of knitwear and the first kind a guy should buy. Crewneck sweaters, also known as pullovers or simply jumpers, originated as activewear before it became a ‘thing’ in high street style circles.
They’re ordinarily made from cotton, but dressier alternatives by more luxurious retailers can be made from wool or cashmere. Autumn 2017 has seen a healthy roster of crew knits, ranging from the thin and slim to chunky ribbed numbers. The takeaway from this is to pick and choose the right crewneck for your lifestyle.
Midweight Texture Stitch Crew Neck Sweater
Your go-to crew with long sleeves & medium weight for cooler adventures.
If you spend half your time begging the HR girl to install ducted heating, your best bet is a thick cable crewneck. If it’s just a matter of finding the right layer to go over a shirt before you chuck on a blazer, a thin merino wool crew is the first and last choice. For a prep-inspired approach to the boardroom, wear smart grey chinos, a white oxford button-down, and navy merino crewneck with a brown knitted tie.
This will see you through a chilly day at the office and the inevitable after-work detour at the pub.
How To Wear V-Neck Sweaters
Arch-nemesis and eternal rival of the popular crewneck. The V Neck sweater initially took the same road as the crew neck, then a left turn at the collar shape.
This gives you a bit more flexibility with other sartorial accouterments you might want to include, like that bold novelty tie you’ve been itching to show off to the guys in the office. On the style front, use seasonal tones with your corporate kit. Think brown and grey to contrast a navy suit. Otherwise, more unconventional colour choices have cropped up this autumn.
Pale blue, cream, and even bright reds have featured on the shop floors around town. These can complement drab winter tones and add a lively touch to staple greys and navies that are begging for some colour. Use the tie to complement the shade of the knit in some way; either the dominant pattern or a smaller detail.
Under no circumstances, however, are you permitted to wear the V neck with nothing underneath – especially if it has a severe neckline.
How To Wear Roll Neck Sweater
Infamous. Timeless. Sleazy. Masculine. The rollneck sweater is heralded as many different things by many different people. All we’ll say is that this piece of 70’s menswear royalty has punched its way out of sartorial damnation seems poised to continue keeping men warm this winter.
The rollneck was hugely successful at various stages in the 20th century, before its sartorial relevance tragically diminished. The late 2010’s, however, saw its emergence from the ashes in both luxury and general menswear markets (the jury is still out on whether Archer is the culprit).
Green Turtleneck
Give any look a layer of warmth, color, and depth with this soft, slim-tailored Merino wool turtleneck sweater—a classic knit that effortlessly complements any winter look.
Rollnecks are tremendously versatile – you can find thin monochrome wool numbers to wear with a suit or thick two-tone options for casual weekend layering. The rollneck isn’t for everyone, sure, but its understated masculine aesthetic and sartorial adaptability means it’s likely to persist through winter 2017 and beyond. Thick knits with prominent rolled collars are the ticket this season. Consider neutral colours in camel, beige, and khaki tones to mix and match with your winter layers.
For a punchy monochrome outfit, wear a slim navy merino rollneck with a super130s charcoal suit. If that’s not cutting the mustard, there’s always the timeless chunky rollneck and biker jacket combo. If your leather jacket days stayed behind in our 20’s, then a navy double-breasted jacket, khakis, and grey turtleneck is an appropriate (and dashing) afterhours outfit where the shirt and tie aren’t invited.
How To Wear Shawl Collar Sweater
When discussing sweaters, it’s easy to sink back into the old (and unfair) adage that they’re the domain of old men and librarians.
The shawl collar hasn’t quite escaped the scrutiny. However, this winter heavyweight deserves a concerted defence of its sartorial merits, and it seems poised to re-enter the young man’s wardrobe this year. Shawl collar sweaters are usually constructed from wool or cashmere in a ribbed weave. This process thickens the fabric by using heavyweight yarns across the warp or weft to raise the density of the garment.
Rugged merino wool-blend cardigan sweater
Naturally breathable merino wool with hardy nylon for a sweater that’s as soft and comfortable as it is durable.
The shawl collar knit is worldly and adaptable. They can add a debonair, sophisticated edge to your overall look, without making you look like a stodgy professor. Button-up shawl collar sweaters are smarter than their pullover cousins, and certainly more versatile. You can wear these with ties (knitted works best) and leave them unbuttoned when a casual dress code is the expected order of business.
If your blazer is starting to make you sad (and cold), take things up a notch by combining a prince of wales shirt, grey shawl collar sweater, and your dressy work pants. And you aren’t limited to smart casual tailoring. Shawl collar sweaters, a white tee, and jeans will see you through almost any weekend contingency.
How To Wear Scoop Neck Sweater
Originally the less popular brother in the familial triad of round neck sweaters, the scoop neck has emerged as solid competition on the knit market.
Unlike the crew neck (which has a narrow collar and slimmer proportions) the scoop neck normally has looser shape – although slim options are never far away – and a wider open neck. Designers have been featuring scoop necks with heavy textural detail. Ribbing, waffle, and cable weaves are abundant on the market.
This style lends itself to casual ensembles with an unpremeditated, low-effort aesthetic. Think a grey cable knit with black jeans and chukka boots, finished off with a contrasting blue or maroon fisherman beanie. Top it off with a khaki anorak for supreme winter insulation that looks pretty damn cool at the same time.
How To Wear A Cardigan
Unfairly condemned as the grandfather’s sweater of choice, the button-up cardigan has resurfaced from the sartorial pit as something young blokes can (and should) wear without bursting into tears.
The cardigan is a fair alternative to a tailored waistcoat, especially in winter where its thermal qualities will have you saving dollars on the quarterly gas bill. Due to its thin construction and lack of lapels, the cardigan should be worn with a shirt and tie. The shirt collar and extra layer of fabric from the tie will add density to the upper portion of your outfit and contribute to a balanced look overall.
Sweater Style Rules
Do invest in natural fibres – merino, cotton, cashmere, or even alpaca. It’s a tougher investment, but the return is better.
Don’t start with novelty colours. Navy, grey, and dark greens and browns are the first order of business.
Do break the second rule once you have a few staple sweaters in your rotation. Doubling up out of habit or sartorial hesitation is a waste of your hard-earned dollars and wardrobe space.
Don’t wear mismatched cuts. Tailored sweaters deserve a tailored outfit.
Do experiment with different weaves. A/W 17 has plenty to offer. Ribbed and cable sweaters have textural and visual points of difference, and are easy sources of detail in an otherwise inconspicuous outfit.
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