The Sweater to End All Sweaters

I love fall because I love sweaters, and my life is a constant search for knits that complement the rest of my cool weather wardrobe.  My sweater love became so bad at one point that my last roommate was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pay rent on time.  Though her concerns were valid, sweaters have never left me in the red or in the cold (though they’re a great alternative to sky high heating bills in the winter).

Few sweaters pack the heft and refinement of a chunky cardigan.  There’s a reason that everyone from Papa Hemingway to Steve McQueen sported them; they’re masculine and luxurious, yet understated enough to not draw attention to the wearer, making it a sneaky sartorial secret for men in the know (and the women and men who love them).  And on some days - whether because of weather or mood - a jacket won’t do.  You wouldn’t curl up by the fireside in your favorite Barbour, would you?

This spring, I picked up a chunky S.N.S. Herning Stark cardigan at BlackBlue in St. Paul.  While many men (myself included in most circumstances) build their sweater collection with an array of timeless colors, I opted for a seasonal diesel blue, which works well in situations where navy or black are overpowering.  With a pair of white trousers and a patterned shirt, it’s a fall look that can’t go wrong.

The details on the cardigan are first rate.  Hand-knitted in Denmark, the cross-stitching is impeccable and the checkered weave appears (and feels) comforting and warm.  The metal buttons add a dash of industrial panache to the Stark’s appearance and the mock neck offers protection from a sudden gust of wind or surprise snowfall.  

Though the Stark is oversized, S.N.S. Herning’s sweaters fit trim, so it both accentuates the form while providing a little extra body that a merino cardigan doesn’t offer.  Some guys like to go a size up, but despite their macho bravado, I suspect even Hemingway and McQueen would've taken their size and enjoyed the slimming silhouette and timeless functionality the Stark offers.

Sweater: S.N.S. Herning, Trousers: Eidos, Shirt: J. Crew, Boots: Red Wing Heritage