Old Money Cardigans: How to Wear Them (Women and Men)

A cardigan is one of the easiest old money pieces to wear. It is soft, it goes over almost anything, and it makes a plain outfit look finished. The right one is simple: a fine knit, a neutral colour, real buttons or a clean zip, and a close fit. No big logos, no loud patterns.

Below we cover what to look for, how to check the fabric before you buy, and nine easy outfits. We also list the real fabric of every cardigan we sell, including the one that is mostly synthetic.

What makes a cardigan look old money

• Natural fibre. Wool, cashmere or cotton. They breathe, they drape and they age well.
• A fine or medium knit. Smooth jersey knit or a small cable. Very chunky knits read more ski lodge than old money.
• Quiet colours. Cream, oatmeal, camel, navy, grey and brown. These match everything else in a classic wardrobe.
• A close fit. The shoulder seam sits on your shoulder. The body is not baggy.
• Good buttons. Plain, matte or horn-look buttons. Shiny plastic buttons make even good wool look cheap.
• No logo. A small label inside is enough.

Check the label before you buy

This is the most useful habit you can build. A cardigan can look like wool in a photo and be mostly acrylic. That is not always bad. Synthetic blends are cheaper, lighter and easy to machine wash. But they pill faster, feel warmer in a stuffy way, and do not age like wool. You should know which one you are buying.

Here is what every cardigan we sell is made of, taken from our product pages:

We put the last one in the table on purpose. It is a good cardigan for the price and you can throw it in the washing machine. It is not a wool cardigan, and we would rather you know that before you order.

When you shop in person, do two quick tests. Pull the knit gently sideways and let go. Good wool springs back. Then rub the inside of the sleeve between your fingers for a few seconds. If it already starts to fuzz, it will pill fast.

Old money cardigans for women: 5 outfits

1. Over black silk in the evening

A cream cardigan over black silk, either a slip dress or a camisole with a silk skirt, is the easiest evening outfit there is. Wear the cardigan open, add small gold earrings and flat sandals or low heels. It looks dressed up without trying.

2. Short cardigan with high-waisted trousers

A short cardigan should end at the waistband of high-waisted trousers. That line makes your legs look longer. Tuck nothing in, just let the hem sit on the waistband. Add a thin brown belt and loafers.

3. Polo cardigan, belt and cream trousers

A polo collar makes a cardigan look like a smart knit shirt. Button it up, tuck the front lightly into cream trousers and add a brown belt. This works for the office and for lunch.

4. With a midi skirt

A fine cardigan with a pleated or draped midi skirt is a classic weekend look. Keep the colours close: cream with navy, or camel with chocolate brown. Flat loafers or ballet flats finish it.

5. With jeans and loafers

Dark, straight jeans with no rips, a cardigan buttoned over a white tee, and loafers. It is simple and it always works. A cable knit cardigan gives this outfit a little more texture.

Shop women's cardigans and what to wear with them

Short Knit Button CardiganShop nowOld Money Polo CardiganShop nowMini Cable Knit CardiganShop nowLuxurious Warm CardiganShop nowOld Money High-Waisted TrousersShop nowPleated Knit Midi SkirtShop now

Old money cardigans for men: 4 outfits

Men often skip cardigans because they think of the baggy grandpa version. A fitted cardigan in a good fabric is different. It works like a soft jacket.

1. Cashmere cardigan over an oxford shirt

A beige cashmere cardigan over a light blue oxford shirt, grey or navy trousers and brown loafers. Leave the top button of the shirt open. For a cold day, add a silk or wool scarf at the neck.

2. Zip cardigan, white tee and cream trousers

A navy zip cardigan over a plain white tee with cream trousers is the relaxed version. Zip it halfway up. Suede-look loafers or clean white sneakers both work.

3. Beige cardigan with navy trousers

Beige on top and navy below is one of the safest old money colour pairs. Wear the cardigan over a white tee or a polo and keep the shoes brown.

4. Dinner: cardigan, polo and pinstripe trousers

For an evening out, swap the blazer for a cardigan. Wear it over a knitted polo with dark pinstripe trousers. It looks smart but feels like you are at home.

Shop men's cardigans and what to wear with them

Cashmere Button CardiganShop now100% Wool Fitted CardiganShop nowSlim Fit Elegant CardiganShop nowNavy Pleated TrousersShop nowBlack Pinstripe Wide Leg TrousersShop nowFaux-Suede Penny LoafersShop now

How a cardigan should fit

• Shoulders: the seam sits on the edge of your shoulder, not down your arm.
• Sleeves: they end at the wrist bone. A little bunching is fine with a soft knit.
• Buttons: they close without pulling into an X shape across the chest.
• Length: a regular cardigan ends at the hip. A short one ends at the waist and needs high-waisted trousers or a skirt.

For reference, here is what our models wear: our women's models are 158 cm in a size S (Short Knit Button Cardigan), 160 cm in S (Mini Cable Knit Cardigan) and 167 cm in M (Luxurious Warm Cardigan). Our men's models are 175 cm in M (100% Wool Fitted Cardigan), 180 cm in L (Slim Fit Elegant Cardigan) and 182 cm in L (Cashmere Button Cardigan). If you are between sizes in a knit, size up for layering over a shirt and down for wearing on its own.

How to care for wool and cashmere cardigans

• Wash less. Air a cardigan on a chair overnight between wears.
• Hand wash in cold water with a wool detergent. Do not wring it.
• Dry flat on a towel. A wet knit on a hanger will stretch.
• Fold, do not hang. Hangers leave bumps in the shoulders.
• Remove pills with a knit comb. Some pilling in the first weeks is normal for wool and cashmere.

FAQ

Are cardigans old money?
Yes. A plain, well-fitted cardigan in wool, cashmere or cotton is a classic old money piece for both women and men. Avoid big logos, loud patterns and very chunky knits.

What colour cardigan is the most old money?
Cream, camel and navy are the most versatile. Grey and brown are good second choices. Start with one light and one dark.

Button or zip cardigan?
Buttons look a little more classic and dressy. A zip looks more relaxed and sporty. Both are fine. Men often find a zip cardigan easier to start with.

Is cashmere better than wool?
Cashmere is softer and lighter for the same warmth. Wool is tougher and pills less. For everyday wear, a good wool cardigan is a great choice.

Can I wear a cardigan to work?
Yes. A fine cardigan over a shirt with tailored trousers works in most offices. Keep the colours plain and the fit close.

Keep reading

• Old Money Sweaters for Women
• Old Money Sweaters for Men
• Old Money Fabrics: 5 Materials That Look Expensive
• Old Money Color Combinations