New for Autumn/Winter 2024: Charcoal Grey Shawl Collar Cardigan
Easy to style, comfortable to wear, and universally flattering, our superfine lambswool shawl collar cardigan is an ever popular style. This year we’re adding a new colourway to our collection: charcoal grey. It’s the same cosy cardigan we love to wrap up in in the cooler months, simply in an even more winter appropriate shade compared to our older grey melange colour.
The charcoal would go particularly well with other grey toned clothing, as well as black and white, allowing you to achieve that paired back, minimal look, whilst exuding a good dose of masculinity on account of the darker charcoal melange and the hefty, rib-stitch texture of the shawl collar cardigan.
Inspiration Behind Our Superfine Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan
The shawl collar cardigan has been a popular style in recent times, but in fact, has been popular for decades. Though we don’t know its origins for certain, it’s thought that the shawl lapel’s first appearance was in the smoking jackets of the Victorian era here in Britain.
The West End Gazette, 1873.
Fast forward to the 50s and 60s, and we see the style famously worn by stars of time such as Michael Caine and Steve McQueen. This rise in popularity ran parallel to the demise of daily formal dressing amongst younger men. The cardigan has been consistently in favour up until the present day, when we still see male icons sporting the shawl collar, with one of the most significant and frequently cited being Daniel Craig. In James Bond: Quantum of Solace, Craig wore a black version and the look has been imitated by many.
Why Does this Classic Design Work So Well?
Slip on a shawl collar cardigan and it’s very likely that you’ll notice immediately how flattering it is on the body. This is thanks to the shawl collar itself which creates an v-shape on the torso that broadens the shoulders and narrows the waist. Whilst framing the face, this simultaneously creates an opening on the chest and neck area, a subtle but nevertheless undeniably masculine look. Add to this the practicality of the cardigan, the options for layering, and the fact that it lends itself to transitional dressing (this is something we really have to consider here in the UK when conditions can change in a flash), and it’s no surprise that this a much-loved, go-to garment for so many of men.
The Colhay’s Version
We’ve added a few considered style features to the original which elevate our version, creating a cardigan that’s both sophisticated and unbelievably comfortable to wear. At the front you’ll spot two patch pockets which are perfectly placed for keeping hands warm on a cold day. The large collar itself can be flipped up or down to provide some protection against the winter chill or breeze. We know this is a piece that you’ll be layering too, so we’ve made it slightly more roomy in the chest and body. This extra space means you don’t feel restricted when wearing it.
To create a slightly trimmer silhouette, we have given our cardigans a couple of features that contribute to a more flattering look but don’t make the piece more restrictive. These are the slimmer arms and slightly higher armhole.
You’ll also notice each of the buttons is unique. We use only Italian horn, which promises a luxurious, strong and durable button that can stand the test of time. Being an entirely natural product means that no two are ever the same. Each carries the grain of the horn used, much like anything made from solid wood, and so, although they can look similar, each is completely unique.
Why We’ve Chosen a New Shade
Our shawl collar cardigans already come in a wide variety of shades but we felt it important that we add a new darker grey in a cooler tone that works well for winter months. We feel that the charcoal is a nice masculine shade that pairs well with chunkier casual winter attire, as well as the grey and white tones you might be wearing to work. This makes the piece incredibly versatile, a factor that’s very important to us here at Colhay’s.
Look closely and you’ll spot some white and lighter grey flecks within the knitted fabric, laced with the predominant dark charcoal yarn. This is because the shade is a melange - or a blended one.
The melange is a beautiful blend and makes the colour more sophisticated and nuanced. It also helps bring out the chunky, woolly texture of the cardigan. The other benefit of the melange, is that it helps to dial down the harshness of what would have otherwise been a plain charcoal block colour, and create a sense of subtlety within the piece.
By using a blend, we avoid the cardigan demanding too much attention or simply looking like a solid, dull block of colour on the wearer. Rather, this new cardigan is a wintery version of a much-loved, comfortable yet refined, classic menswear essential.
If you’re looking for more information on our shawl collar cardigans, you can find more information here, or get in touch with us using our contact form here.