Men's wool cardigans

Men's wool cardigans have been part of Hackett London's knitwear since the King's Road opened in 1983, a piece the house has never needed to reinvent.

The wool behind the construction

A men's wool cardigan in the range draws primarily on lambswool and merino, with shawl-collar styles moving to a heavier lambswool-cashmere blend for the coldest months. Wool content is never diluted with synthetic fibre in the outer shell, a standard that keeps the hand-feel and warmth consistent across every weight in the collection. A button-front placket, reinforced along its edge to stop the knit stretching around the buttonholes, is what separates a cardigan built to last from one that sags within a season.

Horn buttons, cut rather than moulded, are standard across the range on this ribbed-edge finish — they carry more weight than plastic and develop a subtle patina with handling rather than dulling.

Weight and gauge for the season

A fine-gauge wool cardigan in merino layers easily under a jacket for the office, while a heavier lambswool-cashmere blend suits standalone wear once temperatures drop further. Both share the same construction quality — gauge and fibre blend are what shift with the season.

A navy wool cardigan over a white Oxford shirt with grey flannel trousers, for an evening that skips the jacket entirely.
The same cardigan open over a plain t-shirt with dark denim for a weekend that stays relaxed without looking undone.

Caring for a wool cardigan

A wool-specific wash cycle or careful hand washing protects a men's wool cardigan from the felting that heat and agitation cause in standard machine washes.

What's the difference between lambswool and cashmere cardigans?

Lambswool comes from a sheep's first shearing and has a slightly coarser, more durable hand-feel, while cashmere is spun from the softer undercoat of cashmere goats and offers a lighter, finer warmth. Cashmere blends cost more and require gentler care over time. Lambswool tends to hold its shape marginally better across years of regular wear.

How should a wool cardigan be washed?

Hand washing in cool water or a wool-specific machine cycle at 30°C protects the fibre from felting, which permanently interlocks wool fibres under heat and agitation. Laying the cardigan flat to dry prevents the weight of wet fabric from stretching the shoulders. Dry cleaning also suits cashmere-blend styles well.

Can a wool cardigan replace a blazer for smart-casual wear?

A well-cut shawl-collar wool cardigan in a fine gauge can substitute for a jacket at most smart-casual occasions, particularly over a collared shirt. It won't offer the same structure as tailoring for formal settings, but for an evening or relaxed dinner it works comfortably. A darker, solid colour keeps the substitution convincing.