Ever wonder why the shawl collar cardigan has silently claimed its throne as the ultimate king of cozy style? It’s like that secret weapon in your wardrobe—effortlessly combining rugged warmth with a touch of refined sophistication. Whether you’re layering up for an icy morning or aiming to level up your casual game, these cardigans are crafted to be your seasonal sidekick, blending timeless heritage with contemporary flair. Inside, you’ll discover a curated lineup of the best shawl collar cardigans, each tested and loved by Esquire’s editors, from chunky knits soaked in tradition to sleek, modern cuts that grandma would approve of. Ready to wrap yourself in style that lasts generations? Let’s dive into the sweaters that deserve a spot in your closet right now. LEARN MORE
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
Our Favorite Shawl Collar Cardigan
Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan
Winter is the season for pulling your chunky knits out, and Buck Mason crafts a cozy, chunky shawl collar cardigan that you’re going to want to keep close. The cashmere and merino wool blend is soft and warm, with practical patch pockets and ribbing throughout. Plus, this has already been garment-washed for a pre-loved, pre-worn feel. This one is our overall favorite—it’s simple, understated, and oh-so cozy.
Best Classic Shawl Collar Cardigan
L.L.Bean Classic Ragg Wool Cardigan
A ragg wool sweater generations of Bean devotees have relied on to keep them warm through the worst of winter. This is as classic as they come, with a warm, soft lambswool knit that our editors love. The deep patch pockets are great for storing your essentials, from a wallet and keys to a pair of glasses. As far as coziness goes, this is at the top of the list.
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Best Cable Knit Shawl Collar Cardigan
Signals Aran Cardigan
Made with pure merino wool in the village of Monasterevin, Ireland, this is the real deal. Signals uses Aran stitching to give this an extra dose of authenticity, with a warm-yet-breathable marled fabric that has a vintage flair. This style also has deep patch pockets on the front, perfect for stuffing your hands into on a chilly morning.
Best High-End Shawl Collar Cardigan
Drake’s Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan
This is the kind of shawl collar cardigan that your future great-grandchildren are still going to be wearing. That’s to say: it’s a heritage piece, and one that’ll never go out of style. This lambswool pick has a slightly oversized, relaxed fit that evokes “grandpa chic” in the best way.
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Best Merino Wool-Blend Shawl Collar Cardigan
J.Crew Rugged Merino Wool-Blend Cardigan Sweater
The dark academia vibes are strong with this one, and you know we love a dark academia vibe. The breathable merino wool and nylon blend is both soft and durable, exactly what we want in a cardigan. It’s a classic fit that’s great for layering, and it’s heavy but not too heavy.
Best Cotton Shawl Collar Cardigan
Ralph Lauren Aran-Knit Cotton Shawl-Collar Cardigan
Maybe it’s the navy color or the classic pattern, but this Polo Ralph Lauren option has major coastal charm vibes, like a fisherman in Maine. It’s wider at the chest but still has that attractive, modern silhouette. The thick-gauge cotton yarn will definitely keep you warm, whether you’re out on the water or reading a book on your porch.
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Best Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan
Anderson & Sheppard Lambswool Four Button Cardigan With Shawl Collar
This one isn’t exactly chunky, but it’s still super warm. Made in Scotland from super soft lambswool, this one is a great cozy option for layering since it’s not too thick. It also comes in gray and navy, but we especially like this gorgeous deep green.
Best 100% Wool Shawl Collar Cardigan
Filson Bristol Cardigan Sweater
We love Filson’s jackets, and it turns out they also make a pretty sweet shawl collar cardigan. This classic fisherman-style option is made in Italy from 100 percent wool, giving it a thick, warm, and insulated feel. This forest green heather colorway is also a handsome, unique choice if you’re looking for a more muted color.
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Best Fun Print on a Shawl Collar Cardigan
Faherty Camp Cardigan
Faherty may be known for its west coast surfer aesthetic, but the brand’s Camp Cardigan is giving us strong Wisconsin fishing trip energy. The back of the cardigan shows an adorable stitched illustration of two figures fishing in a canoe on a body of water under the bright sun. Oh, and there’s obviously the campfire, cabin, and pine trees on the front, which are making me want to go camping in the woods right now.
Best Sporty Shawl Collar Cardigan
Brooks Brothers Merino Wool Windowpane Intarsia Shawl-Collar Cardigan
If you’re looking for a sporty option you can wear to the country club, we’d recommend this one from Brooks Brothers. Its intarsia windowpane pattern and suede elbow patches definitely make it stand out from the other options on this list.
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Best Classic Preppy Shawl Collar Cardigan
Brooks Brothers Ribbed Cotton Shawl Collar Cardigan
Brooks Brothers also has a classic, preppy take on the shawl collar cardigan in navy ribbed cotton with genuine horn buttons and welt pockets.
Best Waffle-Knit Shawl Collar Cardigan
Peregrine Wilkinson Merino Wool Cardigan Sweater
Peregrine makes a gorgeous heavyweight shawl collar cardigan from waffle-knit merino wool—it’s chunky and warm like a cozy blanket. Just imagine yourself sipping a cup of tea while wearing this cardigan.
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Best Cashmere Shawl Collar Cardigan
Naadam Super Luxe Cashmere Shawl Collared Cardigan
Last year, we endorsed Naadam’s original cashmere sweater and lauded it for its soft, luxurious cashmere, its breathable feel, and its affordable price (just $98). The brand also makes a cashmere shawl collar cardigan, and while it comes at a steeper cost than the original sweater, it’s as high quality as cardigans that are twice its price.
Best Oversized Fit Shawl Collar Cardigan
Pendleton Nehalem Lambswool Cardigan
You already know we’re huge fans of Pendleton’s wool blankets, and we’re equally enamored by the brand’s sweaters. It’s also probably clear by now that we love a deep forest green shawl collar cardigan, and this one is made even more special by the design on the back and sleeves.
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Most Color Options for a Shawl Collar Cardigan
Fortela Stoke Cardigan Cashmere
This high-end Italian cashmere cardigan is about as classic as it gets, and it comes in five great colorways. Our favorite is the burgundy (pictured here), but it also comes in cream, sand, navy, and dark brown.
Best Belted Shawl Collar Cardigan
Brunello Cucinelli Shawl-Collar Belted Jacquard-Knit Cardigan
Brunello Cucinelli makes another luxurious, high-end Italian option from a soft wool, silk, and cashmere blend. It’s a beautiful Italian take on the Southwestern motif, and it has a belt to adjust the fit.
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Most Timeless Shawl Collar Cardigan
Missoni Shawl-Collar Jacquard-Knit Cardigan
This timeless Missoni jacquard option gets its unique texture from its wool, alpaca and polyamide-blend fabric. Its iconic chevron pattern is instantly recognizable and so stylish.
Another Great Cashmere Shawl Collar Cardigan
J.Press Made-in-Scotland Shawl Collar Cashmere Cardigan
J.Press makes another classically preppy cashmere option in navy blue with handsome brown leather buttons.
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