Christmas Cardigans for Men: The Grown-Up Alternative to the Novelty Jumper
For the man who will not wear a novelty jumper, the cardigan is the Christmas knit that survives December. It dresses up a shirt for Christmas lunch, layers under a coat for the walk afterwards, and — unlike a jumper with a reindeer on it — it is still being worn in February. This guide covers the two shapes worth giving, how to wear them across the Christmas days, and how to size one as a gift. For Christmas delivery, order by Wednesday 9 December.
Two shapes, two tempers
The Shawl Collar Cardigan (£66.00) is the dressier of the two: an open front framed by a relaxed shawl collar, two patch pockets, and a soft cotton-blend knit that drapes rather than clings. It is the layer that makes a plain tee look intentional and an Oxford shirt look finished — our full shawl collar buying guide covers fit and fabric in depth.
The Holland Zip Cardigan (£59.00) is the practical one: a full-length zip and stand collar with textured ribbed panels. Worn open over a tee or zipped over a polo, it works as a light outer layer on a mild day and as a mid-layer under a coat in the cold. Five colours — Sand, Black, Petrol Blue, Forest Green and Charcoal.
How to wear one across Christmas
Christmas Day: the shawl collar over an Oxford shirt and tailored trousers — dressed for lunch without a jacket. The Boxing Day walk: the zip cardigan zipped up under an overcoat, collar standing against the wind. The quiet days after: either one over a tee, at home, which is where a good cardigan spends most of its life.
Gifting one: sizes and colours
Both cardigans run S–XL in a regular fit; for the Holland, the advice on its product page is simply to take his usual size. The shawl collar's relaxed, open drape is the more forgiving gift if you are estimating. On colour, Charcoal and Black are the safe gifts, Sand is the softer one, and Petrol Blue or Forest Green suit a man whose wardrobe already leans that way.
If he would rather have the jumper
Some men do want the pattern. The Fair Isle Quarter-Zip (£59.00) keeps its Fair Isle band at the chest — festive, but a long way from novelty — and our guide to Christmas jumpers that aren't novelty makes the wider case.
Ordering in time
Order by Wednesday 9 December for the Christmas window: dispatch in 1–2 working days, delivery in 6–10 working days, free and tracked in the UK. After that date the gift card (from £25.00, by email) is the version of this gift that cannot arrive late.
