If it’s luxury that you seek, then it’s one of the best men’s cashmere cardigans you need to buy right now. Why a cashmere cardigan, and why now? Consider us glad that you asked, because layering up with a cardigan is about as cool and classic as it gets this winter. Sure, there are infinite number of ways to get dressed for blustery winter weather, and your first inclination might be to throw on, say, a more traditional crewneck or a V-neck sweater, or even a hoodie.

That being said, we’re in the business of helping you upgrade your style in every single area, including the basics (like a super-soft wool T-shirt, a decided step up from a traditional tee) and the more tailored items in your wardrobe. A cashmere cardigan very nearly checks every single box you could hope for when it comes to your new favorite winter sweater, and that’s true if you want both super-soft fabric and retro, easily wearable style. In fact, men’s cashmere cardigans represent the height of luxury in terms of timeless style (if you don’t believe us, just look at old photos of your father or grandfather — see how cool a cardigan can be?).

Lest you think the cardigan is too stuffy or old-school, let us reassure you that when done right, the cardigan can be fresh, super-modern and surprisingly cool.

But one advantage you’ve got over old-school style? Well, the right fabric has got to be up there, as well as a more streamlined, modern fit. Cashmere is the stuff your sweater dreams are made of, and it’s a far cry from the scratchy and stiff sweaters you might have grown accustomed to wearing to church or family holidays. Who knows: With one of the best men’s cashmere cardigans, we’re willing to bet you’ll actually look forward to layering up on chilly winter days. You might like it so much, you could be tempted to buy more than one premium, luxurious cardigan, but we’ll leave that up to you.

It’s a trend that’s come back around in recent years, as designers blend the old and the new, and we’re convinced there’s a way to make it work for you (to say the very least).

Lest you think the cardigan is too stuffy or old-school, let us reassure you that when done right, the cardigan can be fresh, super-modern and surprisingly cool. Use it as a replacement for a blazer or keep it handy in place of a vest for a modified take on the three-piece suit. Elsewhere, use the cardigan to upgrade more laidback outfits, like a graphic tee or a rugged henley and slim blue jeans. Think of the cardigan like a much more grown-up, cool-as-can-be upgrade to your more straightforward rotation of sweaters, and stock up accordingly.

The best men’s cashmere cardigans that we’re thinking of take on a look and feel that’s more polished than what you might think of as a rugged cardigan. For instance, a cardigan made with a thick knit out of fabric like pure wool is going to prove bulkier than one of the best men’s cashmere cardigans. There’s a time and a place for that type of cardigan, to be sure, so make sure your sweater rotation is well-stocked as we roll through the cold, crisp months.

And a cashmere cardigan is, notably, going to clock in at a higher price point than you might be accustomed to seeing. Is that a bad thing? We say not in the slightest, since what you’re really paying for is the use of premium, super-soft fabric that’s luxuriously comfortable to the touch. What else do you need to look for in a cardigan? Allow us to offer up some helpful, ever-stylish pointers.

What to Look for When Shopping for a Men’s Cashmere Cardigan

• Stock your sweater rotation wisely: What kind of sweater are you in the market for? One to layer up with beneath a winter blazer or your best winter suit? One to wear as a house sweater, a la Daniel Craig in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? Better still, one to wear that can do a little bit of everything? Those considerations should impact your purchasing decision, specifically when it comes to the color, pattern and style of said cardigan. You can mix things up with a more bold print or pattern, or keep it straightforward with a neutral color like navy or heather grey. The choice is yours, but luxury is the end result either way.
• Style your cardigan smartly: If you’re investing in one of the best men’s cashmere cardigans, it’s all the better that you’re going into the game, so to speak, with ideas on how to wear this finely crafted sweater. Do you plan to wear your cardigan more with dark blue jeans or with tan chinos? Those considerations might also impact the color or style you go with. Any way you look at it though, it pays off to be prepared with a handful of different outfits to show off your cardigan in the best light possible. It works particularly well as a layer with a topcoat and tailored trousers, for instance. It also works quite well on its own atop an Oxford shirt. The possibilities are as limitless as your wardrobe (or at least, they will be, once you invest in one of these sweaters).
• Splurge, don’t save: OK, so we’re not recommending you bet the farm, so to speak, on your cashmere cardigan. But if you’re prepared going in, and if you know that cashmere’s status as a luxury fabric means that it doesn’t come cheap, then you’ll be all the more ready to make sure you’re getting the most out of your new sweater purchase. Look for one that fits your budget, within reason, but maximize that ROI with plenty of ideas on how to style it. Or, to make a long story short: Shop now, thank us later.

We could list out a baker’s dozen of the best tips on buying one of the best men’s cashmere cardigans, but let’s get to the good stuff now: Our top picks for buying a great cashmere cardigan these days. Your new favorite sweater is just a few clicks away, folks.

The Best Cashmere Cardigans for Men to Buy Now

Todd Snyder Cashmere Cardigan

Make no mistake, Todd Snyder is the designer to shop now if you want to get the very best of the very best (it’s true) in nearly every category imaginable. Snyder makes the best denim jeans and luxurious topcoats, and he also does quite the job at collaborating with long-running brands like Champion (on rugged sweaters) and Timex (on a fine rotation of well-designed watches). What comes out on top in the long run? It’s a toss-up some days as to our favorite Todd Snyder products, but pieces like this handsome, perfectly refined cardigan take the cake, so to speak. It’s an investment-level sweater that delivers impeccable style and just enough warmth, and you can’t go wrong with the timeless Navy color. Layer up accordingly right now.

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan Sweater

While that cashmere cardigan featured above from Todd Snyder will set you back a pretty penny, Quince is here and changing the game when it comes to delivering affordable style directly to consumers. Take this sub-$100 cardigan sweater, made from responsibly sourced Mongolian cashmere and available in some versatile-as-can-be colors. This is the type of cardigan to wear over a crisp white T-shirt or a light blue Oxford shirt to really drive home the business casual style you so dearly need on the daily in these ever-shifting times. Again, we can’t get over that low, low price either. Go ahead, buy one in every color to dress up like a more modern version of Mr. Rogers (who, by the way, has always had on-point, all-American style).

NAADAM Ribbed Cardigan

This ribbed cardigan is actually made of both wool and cashmere, but it’s the cashmere that really drives home the luxury look and feel. The thicker ribbed knit should prove warm and insulating from the cold, and you’ve got to love the fact that this cardigan also boasts a build that resists pilling. That type of versatility gives you the potential to wear this cardigan for seasons on end, and the fact that the ribbed knit is thicker is also a positive — this cardigan is one of the best men’s cashmere cardigans to wear with blue jeans and brown leather wingtip boots, for instance.

J. Crew Cashmere Cardigan Sweater

If it’s classic style you seek, then it’s hard to go wrong with virtually anything stocked and sold by J. Crew, which just so happens to have a full rotation of utterly timeless gear. This cashmere cardigan is no different, with a crisp navy color and the soft feel you’d expect from a cardigan sweater. You can team it with everything from faded jeans and beat-up leather boots to slim tailored chinos or wool dress trousers and a chambray shirt. Think of it like the perfect go-between when you need a layer that’s smart, versatile and iconic in its very own way. That’s what the best men’s cashmere cardigans are made to do, after all.