Pulling off the button-up cardigan

[Jl24]

I'm 24, tall, skinny, and like sweaters. I like v-necks, mocknecks, (crewnecks are great, but they don't have that added punch) and I'm thinking about getting full-zip or button-up cardigans. Problem is, I'm not sure if I can pull off the button-up cardigan look - I think it could go either way and I could look either distinguished or out-of-place.

This article says it looks good, but I'm not sure if it's for me - I see two styles for myself:
1. wear the button-up cardigan with slacks and a shirt for a more refined look
2. an undershirt and jeans for the casual look

What do you guys think?

BTW, I'm not British and I live on the West Coast

 

[DocHolliday]

Context is the key. I wouldn't go too serious -- that's going to look old man. Think skinny, with attitude.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Jl24

2. an undershirt and jeans for the casual look
I think they said T-shirt. An undershirt would be scandals besides being goofy.

Get Smart over in Streetwear is considered the resident King of Cardigans, although there are many other fine examples in the What Are You Wearing thread...

 

[texas_jack]

I have missoni cardigan that I wear with slacks and dress shirt or with tshirt and jeans. I think it's a little fogeyish but I don't care.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by texas_jack

I have missoni cardigan that I wear with slacks and dress shirt or with tshirt and jeans. I think it's a little fogeyish but I don't care.

I'm tall and thin, too, and I'm currently looking for a chunky shawl collar cardigan to wear on the casual end of business casual. Flusser has a nice example in "Dressing the Man" (though as I recall, the man in the photo may also be wearing an ascot, which I refuse to do). But I'm 46, so I don't need to worry so much about looking like a fogey (it's age-appropriate, after all!). Seriously, I'd like to think that I could pull of either the younger, hipper look or the fogey look, depending on how I wore it.

 

[southgate house]

I have a slim black RLPL cardigan that I wear to the office a lot. It's perfect for business casual with a dress shirt and pants. I've worn it with a tie once or twice but it looks a little more odd to me. I also wear it under suits at times and it looks like a vest. Very versatile item.

I've been wondering how j press cardigans fit. I guess they are a little frumpy but I think the context of well fitting clothes they could look stylish.
Anyone have one?

Thinman, I think shawl collar cardigans are great. Age doesn't matter so long as the rest of what you are wearing doesn't scream sloppy, which I'm sure is not the case.

 

[Get Smart]

There's not much to 'pulling it off'....just wear it the way you would a vneck...with a buttondown shirt, polo, etc

the only concern is *which* cardigan you end up choosing. As mentioned, a slimmer fit is key. And you probably want to avoid looking "emo", unless that's your look. How does a cardigan look emo?....vintage Lacoste, something too stripey or patterned are good ways to inadvertently look emo. Esp if you're pairing it with black jeans, messy hair and converse. Personally my fave shirt to wear with a cardi is a gingham buttondown collar. And I like my cardigans solid with some slight contrast trim, if anything.

 

[skalogre]

Take Jason's advice - he is the only person I have seen that wears a cardigan without looking like someone's cranky old grandfather.

Personally I still have an extreme aversion to the things...

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by thinman

I'm tall and thin, too, and I'm currently looking for a chunky shawl collar cardigan to wear on the casual end of business casual. Flusser has a nice example in "Dressing the Man" (though as I recall, the man in the photo may also be wearing an ascot, which I refuse to do). But I'm 46, so I don't need to worry so much about looking like a fogey (it's age-appropriate, after all!). Seriously, I'd like to think that I could pull of either the younger, hipper look or the fogey look, depending on how I wore it.

Apropos of nothing, my girlfriend likes to call my shawl-collared sweaters "Gloria Vanderbilts," as in, "I see you're wearing your Gloria today." I don't think she's a fan, and can only imagine her reaction if I added an ascot.

 

[texas_jack]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Apropos of nothing, my girlfriend likes to call my shawl-collared sweaters "Gloria Vanderbilts," as in, "I see you're wearing your Gloria today." I don't think she's a fan, and can only imagine her reaction if I added an ascot.

Upon seeing my cardigan my dad said, "I thought that was a girl sweater."

 

[Brian SD]

I think they can look really nice when used in an Ivy League looking manner. White oxford buttondown is my favorite companion to one.

 

[Will]

I like gray or tan cashmere from one of the Scottish makers like Pringle. Or, when I'm feeling bolder in the style of the 1920's Prince of Wales, I'll wear a Fair Isles pattern.

 

[Get Smart]

Originally Posted by Brian SD

I think they can look really nice when used in an Ivy League looking manner. White oxford buttondown is my favorite companion to one.

bingo!

 

[mack11211]

One man who can wear a cardigan well is, yes, Cary Grant.

A TOUCH OF MINK was on TCM last week. Late rom-com Grant, early 60s, paired with Doris Day as a respite from Rock Hudson, I guess.

Grant is a corp tycoon. When he gets to the office, he doffs his suit coat and dons a black cardigan which he wears with white shirt and dark tie throughout the day. The cardigan fits perfectly, of course. Grant here is about 60 but there is nothing "old man" about it.

 

[Toiletduck]

It seems the cardigan, with a suit coat on, looks very much the part of what a 3 piece vest would look like. w/o a jacket on I definitely have to pair w/ a collared shirt. I think the most important thing to pay attention here is fit and color. I like cardigans to be very fit, almost tight. I also hate pockets on cardigans as they tend to stretch and make the look sloppy and the resulting loose fit fogeyish. At the office - w/ Tie, Casual look, open buttoned....and perhaps a skinny scarf to perfect it!