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Hey there loyal reader… it’s been a while. I have been working so hard this Christmas I have found myself with no time to contribute opinions to my own site. I hope you have all enjoyed the new writing team’s thoughts though? I think they have done a great job picking up the slack whilst I have been away and have touched on some really interesting topics so far. By the way, look out for some amazing new articles this week, including the launch of our street style section!
Anyway enough of that, I just want to let you into a beautiful new trend in knitwear that has become absolutely massive this season within the new collections… the shawl neck cardigan. For around the past 5 years, cardigans have become a fashion staple for all men no matter what your age. No longer do they have the stuffy or old stigma associated with them, and it you do not have one in your wardrobe for winter then you need to invest right away. This season has seen the introduction of a new style/cut cardigan which involves the fold over shawl neck.
The shawl neck is quite hard to explain, but it is an over size collar to the knitwear that folds over around the neck and tapers down to the top button on the cardigan. Please see the main image above for the variations worn by Beckham and Daniel Craig recently. These oversized collars give the cardigans a real “slouchy” relaxed feel and are perfect for staying warm this winter. I love the innovation designers are coming out with at the moment, and all the major trends this year play on revamping existing items or bringing forgotten about items back to life (brogues, braces, bow ties, cardigans etc.). I have never seen the shawl neck so popular and it is present in all the major collections this Winter, as you will see in the product picks below.
So how to wear this new trend and why should you have one in your wardrobe? Well now that this new form of knitwear has been introduced wide scale, there is no reason for it not to be here to stay, just like the cardigan. In the end it is just a new twist on classic knitwear that will look just as great next year as it does this year. It ties in brilliantly this year with the major chunky knitwear trends, and with knitwear becoming more oversized and slouchy, it means this can be dressed up multiple ways.
Take a look at the images above to see exactly how versatile this new knitwear is. You can match an oversized shawl neck cardigan with the whole check/workerwear trend a la Beckham (with collar up to add to the relaxed vibe if you like), which looks great as a casual look and would also keep you extremely warm now the weather has truly turned for the worst. You can also pair the shawl neck with a shirt and tie just as easily and button it right to the top. This gives off a relaxed formal vibe which is helped by the fact that the knitwear now looks like it has an informal collar. This is what really separates it from the traditional cardigan, it definitely has an edge when creating a formal look (see Daniel Craig) but when open and draped it just looks like the most comfortable and casual piece of knitwear money can buy.
I have just purchased 2 variations of this knitwear this weekend and hence this article. I would recommend Farah Vintage knitwear personally as they do some amazing variations in the same style as the Beckham outfit above. Take a look at the collections below and update your knitwear today…
Shawl Neck Cardigans
All Saints
Urban Outfitters
Topman
MyWardrobe
ASOS
Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Ethnic Inspired
Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Denim
Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Statement Tailoring
Men’s SS13 Key Colour: Pink
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i like beckhams outfit and cardi best :) the hat as well :D…what type of hat is that again?
Beckham most of the time does get it right! That hat is generally known as a Baker Boy Hat.
hey ben, welcome back.
I have just spent the day in the west end of london looking for exactly this. they say good minds thinka alike, i tried on the grey farah vintage shawl cardigan in selfridges where it is on sale for £100. They also have a grey, yello, white one at urban outfitters which is pretty cool but i think the grey farah vintage is more versatile and will stanf the test of time better.
I also really like the Full circle grey cable knit shawl cardigan again around the £110 mark. The final one i saw in House of Fraser was the best in lambswool by Gant with suede elbow patches but i held back from paying the £200.
I tried most of them on with a basic crew neck T underneath but when i get one over next fortnight i want to try them on with a check shirt underneath.
I tried today shawl winter cardigans from Ben Sherman, Diesel, Firetrap, All Saints, Gant, Junk De Luxe, Lyle & scott but i must agree with the author that Farah Vintage provide the best fit and maybe Fred Perry or Humour/Humor ?
here is to keeping snug in the cold weeks ahead
it is ALL about the bakers boy hat, I basically live in mine at the moment. And the cardigans are cool too…
Jason Great Minds do think alike because the dark grey Farah one is the one I picked up this week from MyWardrobe. Just a stunning example and really plays on the whole slouchy/chunky feel. Looks great with a shirt or tee. I like layering a thin cardigan underneath and throwing the thick one on top like a jacket… just not for the rain though yeah!
I am in fact considering picking the blue version up now because I really think it would look amazing with some of the red check/plaid I have in my wardrobe this season.
I have trouble wearing baker boys as they don’t really suit me… which is a shame because I would LOVE to have one this season with all the other trends floating around. The grey herringbone versions look amazing with the whole working mens club/chelsea boots style.
I’ve been waiting for the middle all saints style for ages, considering it’s such a simple concept for womenswear, and men shouldn’t be excluded!!! I’m excited and might just have to get one for myself.
@ben just a final question about the grey Peter shawl cardigan from Farah, i tried it on in medium and should the buttons when tied up all face forward as opposed to sideways, i need to go and try it with a full shirt underneath. This one only comes in grey and beige with round buttons, maybe if your getting the blue you mean the Henry farah version which is slightly bigger and horizontal buttons..?
if you get chance you shoud really check out the Gant lambswool button up grey cardie with elbow patches, just come out ! its absolutely gorgeous..
just ordered this watch today …like it ?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002FKD9VA/ref=asc_df_B002FKD9VA503368/?tag=pr-watches-21&creative=7966&creativeASIN=B002FKD9VA&linkCode=asn
Yeah I had got it mixed up. The version I have is the Henry Farah version which is oversized with longer toggles and I got it from ASOS. I am normally an XL but I got a large and it is perfect. That is why I have just ordered the blue version from MyWardrobe yesterday.
I am sure they are all amazing quality though as the brand it itself excels at knitwear. Not checked out the new Gant collections yet… have been so busy recently just keeping everything ticking over. We have been having 20,000 visitors a day over the last week so the server is taking a battering!
I am loving all the old school retro watches coming out right now and Casio and Timex are doing some great versions. Nice pick up
@ben the casios are really nice at the moment, originally i wanted a yellow or white one but this grey one above really fits the bill and i can get it online for only £60.its only my second watch, saves wearing my metal tag every day.
I tried on an absolutely lush grey woolen cardgian which is a shawl/blazer type cardi from Full Circle and looks great. They have just started a sale here today in the Westfield Shopping centre in london of their range.- have u seen any of their clothing or knitwear ? I really like the cut of it and it is reduced from £100 to £77. they also have shawl type cable knits in grey/navy with chunky buttons all the way down similar to daniel craig above.
one final question..i got £150 left after getting my watch and winter knit from full circle and i now need a pair of khaki trousers or cords and some desert boots. out of the brown or grey pointer type ankle desert boots from urban outfitters which would be versatile and go better with dark indigo str8 slim jeans, dark blue chinos or khaki chinos ? i cant seem to find any cords anywhere in a slim fit at the bottom but regular at the top, but i know the dr denim range chinos fit fine.
u know any desert boots in suede or leather that look good with dark jeans and chinos/cords ? im staying away from the whole tucked in jeans with large boots look this winter.
thanks once again ben and keep up your great advice and fashion tips.
do you find u have the room in your farah cardigan to fit a check shirt underneath or is it only slim enough for a t shirt ?
full circle range examples of shawls in grey also..
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Full+Circle+Button+up+cardigan/125309886,default,pd.html?cgid=201
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Full+Circle+Shawl+collar+cardigan/125310007,default,pd.html?cgid=201
Thanks for the great post. Chunky knits have been majorly in this season and H&M are doing some really cool vintage stuff if anyone wants to hit up on the budget styles – £30 – £45 depending on the colours and styles. I like to spend alot on G star Raw jeans and shoes then crack one of these big knits on for a preppy image. H&M all the way for these guys!
@jack thanks for the H&M tip, i got an excellent wool shawl cardigan with two front pockets today for £25, fits really well and not baggy at all and looks great with my new pair of slate coloured radar arc loose jeans from G Star !
it has just the right amount of room in the sleeves to fit a nice plain shirt and tie or one of my NYC all saints check shirts, thanks once again, it means i have more to spend on a pair of chelsea or desert boots this xmas..
i really want that cardi that the 007 bloke wears, cant think of his poxy name to save my life – where can i buy one of these from, excatly or pretty much the same to this one ?? please help me !