The Shawl Collar Cardigan Guide for Men (2026)
The shawl collar cardigan: the knit that stands in for a jacket indoors, with sizes, prices and what to wear under it.
Last updated: September 2026
A shawl collar cardigan is a button-front knit with a wide collar that rolls like a lapel. The Adam & Westcott 
Shawl Collar Cardigan costs $49.98, comes in XS to 2XL and five colours, and buttons up or hangs open. Here is how to wear it, what size to buy and two knits that pair with it.
In this article
What is a shawl collar cardigan?
A cardigan whose collar runs in one rolled band from the neck to the buttons, framing the neck like a jacket lapel. The Adam & Westcott version adds two hip pockets and a heathered marl knit for $49.98.
The collar does two jobs. It holds warmth at the neck, where a crewneck leaves a gap, and it gives the sweater a lapel line, so it reads structured rather than slouchy. Buttoned, it takes the chill off a cold room; open over a shirt, it frames the face the way a blazer does. It is the one sweater that works at dinner and on the couch in the same evening.
How do you wear a shawl collar cardigan?
Over a shirt or henley, with dark denim or cord trousers and boots. Wear it as the outer layer with the bottom button undone, because the rolled collar fights a jacket collar.
At home: over a tee, buttons open. Out: over an oxford or a henley with dark denim or the 
Loose Cord Trousers ($39.99), and Chelsea boots. Earth tones do the work: the brown, light grey and dark grey colourways sit with camel, olive and navy. Keep it as the outer layer indoors and add a coat over it only when you step outside.
What size shawl collar cardigan should I buy?
Your usual letter size. The cardigan runs XS to 2XL in six sizes, and the two pairing knits run S to 3XL. Adam & Westcott publishes no inch chart for knitwear.
M, L and XL are carried on every knit in this guide. If you plan to wear it buttoned over a thick shirt or henley, stay with your usual size rather than sizing up, since the shawl collar looks best when the front sits close. For the full letter-size picture read what size sweater should I buy, and for layering over knits, what size vest to wear over a sweater.
How do the three knits compare?
The cardigan and the cable henley are $49.98 and the rib sweater is $44.99. The cardigan buttons, the henley has a three-button neck, and the rib sweater zips.
| Knit | Neck | Knit detail | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Shawl Collar Cardigan |
Rolled shawl collar, buttons | Heathered marl, two hip pockets | XS to 2XL (6) | $49.98 |
 Heavy Rib Sweater |
Zip neck | Chunky rib, relaxed cut | S to 3XL (6) | $44.99 |
 Cable Knit Henley |
Stand collar, three buttons | Thick cable, elbow patches | S to 3XL (6) | $49.98 |
The picks
New this month. A heathered marl knit with a soft shawl collar that rolls, buttons up or hangs open, and two pockets at the hip. Smart over a shirt.
Collar: rolled shawl · Closure: buttons · Sizes: XS to 2XL · Colours: brown, red, light grey, dark grey, blue
New this month. A chunky rib knit with a zip neck you close when the wind picks up, a relaxed cut across the shoulders, and ribbed cuffs and hem that keep their shape.
Neck: zip · Fit: relaxed · Sizes: S to 3XL · Colours: khaki, blue, black, beige, grey
New this month. Thick cable knit with a stand collar, a three-button neck and contrast elbow patches. Under an open shawl cardigan, or on its own.
Neck: stand collar, three buttons · Sizes: S to 3XL · Colours: khaki, white, navy blue, dark grey, brown
Frequently asked questions
What is a shawl collar cardigan?
A button-front knit with a wide collar that rolls in one continuous band from the neck to the buttons and lies like a lapel.
How much does a shawl collar cardigan cost at Adam & Westcott?
The Shawl Collar Cardigan costs $49.98 and comes in XS to 2XL and five colours: brown, red, light grey, dark grey and blue.
What do you wear with a shawl collar cardigan?
An oxford shirt or the 
Cable Knit Henley ($49.98) underneath, dark denim or cord trousers, and boots or loafers.
Can you wear a shawl cardigan instead of a blazer?
At a casual dinner or a relaxed office, yes. The rolled collar gives the same lapel line as a blazer, with more comfort.
Cardigan or zip-neck sweater?
The cardigan for the collar and on-off flexibility; the 
Heavy Rib Sweater ($44.99) for a zip neck you can close against the wind. See the cardigan guide.
More knitwear: the cardigan guide and the best fall sweaters.
The knit that replaces a jacket
Shawl collars, cable knits and zip necks, in XS to 3XL.
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