Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews
  • Forum

The Men’s Sweater Style Hierarchy

March 4, 2014 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

sweaters info graphic by dappered

Filed Under: Clothing, Dappered Classics Tagged With: Button up sweater, cardigan, Cashmere, crewneck sweater, is cashmere worth it?, shawl collar coat, sweater vest, sweaters, v-neck sweater

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or start a discussion on Dappered Threads, our forum!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Style News: Bonobos suffers data hack

Style News: Bonobos suffers data hack

Time to change those passwords.

The Weekend Reset: Football, Demons, and Cake

The Weekend Reset: Football, Demons, and Cake

Plus: Assassins

Steal Alert: All White Stan Smiths for $38.40 shipped

Steal Alert: All White Stan Smiths for $38.40 shipped

Regular price is $80. Normal sale price can hover around $60. But now under $40?

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Comments

  1. DrBenji says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    Man, shawl collar cardigans and chunky/cable knits get the shaft here. I’d live happily without the first four sweaters.

  2. Corwin says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    “Also looks fantastic on a significant other, especially when they’re wearing nothing else.”

    The only acceptable use of a jersey, in my opinion…

  3. Joe Colucci says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:24 AM

    A lot to dispute here (agree with DrBenji that shawl collars are grossly underrated – should be #2 after v-necks), but your ranking of turtlenecks is simply indefensible. Yes, they’re tough to pull off, but when it works, they’re fantastic. Also, they’re top-tier in versatility – can do anything from Steve McQueen to Sterling Archer’s tactleneck to slightly off-kilter formalwear. And ranked above it you have… the half-zip mock-neck, that pinnacle of the Dadcore “can’t be bothered” hierarchy. (And for what it’s worth, button mock-necks are really no better.)

  4. Johdus says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Great defense of sweater vests especially the jeans suggestion. Luvers gonna luv!

  5. Furious Styles says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    I divorced my sweater vests and have been happily dating shawl and standard collared cardigans. I like how a thicker cardigan can revive usage of less than trim, patterned button-down shirts.

    When I need a sleeveless fix, I rock my suit separate vests.

  6. Furious Styles says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:29 AM

    Agreed. I have a few turtlenecks that I bring out in cold weather when I don’t want to wear tie with a suit. The vibe (I think I’m giving) is confident and serious.

  7. Joe says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:30 AM

    I’m a big fan of turtlenecks myself. Doesn’t mean they’re easy to pull off for the majority though. I think they’re a little like a velvet sportcoat. Limited use, but when done right, it can look great. It can also look goofy in a hurry.

  8. Derric says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    As I was scrolling down, I was hoping that the turtleneck would be black. The “Duchess” reference is good enough.
    Man, she really loved that dog.

  9. Tod C says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    Spot on Joe. I wore a cardigan to work the other day and the “Werthers Originals” comments came fast an furious. The shawl collar cardigan was much better received but I am still better off in a blazer on cold days.

    This is why I own so few sweaters now I am in my 40s.

  10. Siepi says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:43 AM

    I think the key to turtlenecks working is not necessarily the event or occasion (as would be the case for velvet sportcoats, in my understanding), but the wearer. As you’ve identified with the sweater vest disagreeing with gentlemen that are wider around the middle, a turtleneck is going to look bad on people with short necks. For those with long necks, turtlenecks look very distinguished. (Sort of a tradeoff for the current short-collar trend.) I will agree that it’s harder to dress down plain wool turtlenecks than v-necks or crew-necks, but they look excellent dressed up with a sportcoat.

  11. Eskamobob1 says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    I think you prity much hit the mark here, but i would personally put aron and nordic knits in the same category. it is undeniable that they are rather casual, but they both have this strangely masculine feel and both go great on a hike with your pup and your gun or on a boat hauling your sheep to the new world

  12. Eskamobob1 says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    I would certainly put shawl collars and regular cardigans as a very smart casual item, but have you thought about a simple v-neck or a fair-isle that is on the simpler side under a blazer? I find this to be a very nice way to incorporate a sweater and spice up and outfit without going too far from the sport coat norm.

  13. Chris says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:52 AM

    Personally, not a big fan of v-necks. They can be done well, but too often it’s a v-neck sweater of a white crew-neck undershirt. Or over a button down, with the undershirt visible underneath. I generally hate both looks.

  14. Brandon says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    I support 13 so hard.

  15. Joe says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:03 AM

    Joe just seems very opposed to bulky things. I personally love it and think it looks way better, but I get his thinking, and that is why he puts cardigans and chunky/cable knits so low. In my opinion anyway. Note even for crewnecks he doesn’t like lambswool or anything with any heft to it, just advises merino, the thinnest fabric.

  16. Jason says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    I look quite young, but my cardigan drew a Leave It to Beaver comment the last time I wore it to work.

  17. Tom says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    I think the point might be versatility. I can think of 2-4 ways right off the top of my head to wear the first few sweaters. Yes, I’d love to rock a big ole chunky Aran direct from the motherland…but if you want to wear it 4 days a week, people are pretty much going to take notice. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I’m just saying if you boil it down to dollars per wear, you get more for your buck out of the first few (if you’re looking at it that way).

  18. RJC says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:32 AM

    I’ll be there for you
    (When the rain starts to pour)
    I’ll be there for you
    (Like I’ve been there before)
    I’ll be there for you
    (‘Cause you’re there for me tooooooo)

  19. Tod C says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:35 AM

    The temperatures fluctuate wildly here so I need a sweater I can take off easily (i.e. not over the head). Also I am 6’3″ and 225 pounds so most sweater designed to stop at the waist are too short.

  20. RJC says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:40 AM

    Maybe it stems from a lack of decent turtlenecks from Dappered brands?

    I don’t mind seeing them get dissed- I like wearing them but I’d hate to see everybody else turning up in one. I don’t want my office to look like the set of Love Actually

  21. Michael Anthony Merritt says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:43 AM

    cosby sweater LOL!!!!!!!!!

  22. Winston Heard says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    perhaps a tactical turtleneck would’ve ranked higher.

  23. Mark Johnson says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:50 AM

    I’m not sure heirarchy is the right word – I think mosaic might be a better descriptor. Depending on what else you wear it with a Fair Isle print or chunky cable knit sweater (or even turtleneck) can look much more interesting – in a good way – than a solid V neck or crew. Basically, there are situations where one of these other sweaters ranks above the solid V neck style-wise, and a heirarchy that inverts itself is not really a heirarchy.

  24. Joe says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    Yep. That’s it Tom. You nailed it.

  25. Derric says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:07 AM

    A tactical turtleneck would have to be in slightly-darker black.

  26. Sigtweed & Corduroy says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    This

  27. Sigtweed & Corduroy says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    Personally i think the cardigan (especially a trim merino one) should be a little higher up but I know it’s not a look everyone loves.

  28. BYC says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:24 AM

    Sadly I only have one of these, but at least it is #1. I think I see #5 through #8 more than #3 and #4 but maybe i’ve just been reading too much Dappered.

  29. SalPic says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    I agree. Love the cardigan.

  30. Aaron says

    March 4, 2014 at 12:31 PM

    I just can’t get away from how much more practical cardigans are. It’s so rare that I want to commit to wearing a sweater all day long, indoors and out. I really like the utility of unbuttoning and/or taking off a cardigan as needed.

    Currently saving up for a SNS Herning one…

  31. drocpsu says

    March 4, 2014 at 12:49 PM

    hahah, I love that hockey jersey made it onto this list. classic.

  32. drocpsu says

    March 4, 2014 at 12:51 PM

    I still rock the couple sweater vests that I have fairly often, (though mostly at work without jeans). They are great. Well-fitting, (from J Crew a few years ago) and fairly lightweight.

  33. Kemar Mapp says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:07 PM

    I would agree, I think cardigans or #1 or 1a in versatility

  34. Adam says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:15 PM

    HAH!

  35. Adam says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:15 PM

    I’m sorry, but I despise turtleneck sweaters. It feels like a really weak midget is trying to strangle you all day.

  36. Adam says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:16 PM

    +1, I rock sweater vests through the spring and fall as the temps fluctuate.

  37. Adam says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    I’m not even 30 yet, and I was blasted for looking like an octogenarian librarian. Then again, I work with a bunch of rubes.

  38. Matt says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:24 PM

    It’s pretty amazing the 180 I’ve done on cardigans over the last 2 winters. Hell I didn’t even like v-necks a few years ago, now I can’t fathom a wardrobe of all crew necks. I have found the plain neck cardigan comes with a fair amount of Mr. Rogers jokes at the office (even from a female Senior Partner!), but I roll with them 🙂

    Shawl collars, on the other hand, are surprisingly easy to pull off (and flattering) for casual nights out. Don’t get any flack there. Ha.

  39. Christian says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:32 PM

    Shawl Collars are generally high on my list too but I the versatility of a V-Neck trumps it….but not by much. I’m generally ALWAYS having a shawl collar in rotation.

  40. Kevin says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:13 PM

    Kevin Smith is always wearing jerseys. He’s not fun to look at.

  41. Andrew Haugen says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    I love shawl cardigans. I consider them to be incredibly versatile. Sometimes I like to layer a shawl cardigan with a denim jacket. Looks great.

  42. Joe says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:41 PM

    I guess I just don’t buy sweaters planning on wearing them to the office 4 out of 5 days in a week. I like to mix it up. But a cardigan you can throw on at home and wear 4 out of 5 days super easily.

  43. Joe says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:42 PM

    So it’s more the versatility hierarchy than the style hierarchy.

  44. Joe says

    March 4, 2014 at 3:03 PM

    No, versatility can be a part of style thoug. Not everyone loves a shawl collar cardigan. I myself like em, but not everyone does, and they don’t always look good in every situation in every fabric on every person. The rankings were an attempt to balance timelessness with trends, wearability (layering a shawl w/ a blazer = nope), even cost (v-necks are almost always cheaper than shawl collar cardigans, for example), and could be used as some as a guide for what to stock their closet with. It’s about overall bang for the buck. Looks, functionality, etc. All of the bang. Bangitude even. I wouldn’t think too hard about this one.

  45. Joe says

    March 4, 2014 at 3:04 PM

    Well, some librarians GET. IT. DONE!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N9C2JS9mWc

  46. Li says

    March 4, 2014 at 3:07 PM

    no mention of full-zip sweater?

  47. diversification says

    March 4, 2014 at 3:09 PM

    Hey, at least they are on the list! My favorite type of sweater, the mock-neck cardigan, doesn’t even appear in the article. Here are a few quick examples I pulled from a quick google image search: http://imgur.com/a/vaklA

    The mock neck frames the face, the buttons (if not hidden) can add visual interest, the bottom button can be left undone to help alleviate some of the bunching at the waist (especially important for slim/skinny guys) and they can be worn a variety of ways with different numbers of buttons done & undone. They can be dressed up (over a collared shirt), dressed down (over a shirt with no collar), or even worn as outerwear (depending on the sweater and weather).

    If you’re slim to skinny, like me, this may be one of your only options in the sweater hierarchy. Here’s why: most sweaters have elastic waistbands that will cause some bunching around the midsection. If your chest/back isn’t much wider than your waist, any bunching at the waist almost makes it look like your waist and chest measurements are the same, which isn’t a very flattering look.

  48. Brent says

    March 4, 2014 at 4:07 PM

    I love cardigans. Ungodly amounts. Shawl or standard chunky or thin. Layering isn’t that hard.

  49. Dan J. says

    March 4, 2014 at 4:17 PM

    I wouldn’t happily live without them – I love #1 for layering in the
    fall and winter. But I agree that cable knits are getting the shaft.
    To me, it’s almost impossible to compare some of these. Yes, they’re
    all sweaters but blazers and parkas and trenches are all coats and it
    would be difficult to rank those in a hierarchy, since they serve
    different functions. Sweaters may not be quite that drastic a
    difference but they’re still distinct enough that I couldn’t put one
    above the other without some sort of context.

  50. Corwin says

    March 4, 2014 at 4:22 PM

    Yes, but have you seen him in ONLY a jersey?

    Maybe it helps… you never know…

  51. Corwin says

    March 4, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    +1 for the tactleneck

  52. thekarlos says

    March 4, 2014 at 5:43 PM

    No rollneck, Joe? I’ve been wearing the same J Crew charcoal rollneck since the early oughts. More casual than a turtleneck and great for a casual night out.

  53. Rob G says

    March 4, 2014 at 5:54 PM

    Couldn’t agree more, and am surprised this is not a bigger theme at Dappered. Between low armholes and waistbands I have not been able to find a decent fitting sweater in years. I have a black mock that almost works, but the length is just a bit too short.

  54. Domino says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:26 PM

    I don’t have one, but I really like the idea of the 6.5, the quarter button shawl collar, I think I saw it here a week or two ago, and it looked really sharp.

  55. Jonas says

    March 4, 2014 at 7:31 PM

    Fuck sweater vests. I am a hater, and I will hate, thank you. And while we’re at it, fuck three piece suits.

  56. HeyHoLetsGo says

    March 5, 2014 at 6:42 AM

    Some of the sportswear companies make cardigans for their golf lines which tend to run a little more trim/modern looking without being too in-your-face. I found a tasteful one by adidas a while back that gets lots of compliments. Jack sure made it look easy…http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/74/bc/f1/74bcf1f0946b03d891f637fe67d151b1.jpg

  57. ari says

    March 5, 2014 at 8:03 AM

    I agree, Hence the top two choices are spot on, but patterns before a plain shawl collared Cardigan? I’ll pass, not much versatility with the patterns either to justify it. But then again even as I write this I feel like an idiot telling you your OPINION is wrong lol

  58. southy says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Only if you’re wearing a backpack at the same time.

    RIP Mitch Hedberg

  59. Adam says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:07 AM

    This guy knows what’s up! lol

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
Continue the discussion at Dappered Threads.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

Connect with Dappered

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Extra 60% off BR’s Solid Sale Section, 45% off the Timex Marlin, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • TUESDAY Men’s Sales Tripod – Bronze Watches, Allen Edmonds Sneakers, & More
  • 10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Shawl Collar Sweaters, Nerd Whimsy Art, & More
  • What I Wore Today Working from Home: Brandon, Trial Attorney
  • Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout
  • On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

RSS Latest on Dappered Threads

  • after 11 years, finally bought those chukkas from the dappered front page :-D
  • Recommendations on American Made Denim (for my Wife)
  • AE Dalton too stiff
  • SuitSupply Linen Tuxedo
  • hiking shoes for AE dress shoe dress boot guy.

Copyright © 2021 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.