After a good few weeks’ delay, I’m pleased to say that the Indulgent Shawl-Collar Cardigan is finally back in stock – in a new black iteration as well as navy and grey. 

Quite a few went to the waiting list, as is probably to be expected at this stage; readers had been waiting a while. But there is still good stock in the central sizes across all colours.

It’s also worth noting early, that I had misreported in the past what was available at Anderson & Sheppard. 

This cardigan was designed with them, and originally they had some stock of the same style in their London shop. But that’s no longer the case: the thick shawl cardigan they now have is knitted in Italy, rather than Scotland. It is not as dense, as long, or uses as much cashmere. 

It’s still lovely, but it’s not the same as the Indulgent Shawl, whose raison d’etre was to be the most luxurious version possible of the menswear staple. 

I hope the black goes down well. Certainly enough people have been asking for it, and I’ve loved mine since I received the sample. 

We’ve talked several times this year about wearing black – here with cord trousers, here with a linen overshirt, here with a polo shirt in an all-black look. There’s a piece coming on black tweed as well. 

What I’m increasingly feeling is that it’s easiest to wear black in more casual materials and styles – tweed not worsted, cord not flannel, a polo shirt rather than poplin. This might seem obvious or intuitive, but I tend to be a slow learner. 

A black shawl cardigan falls nicely into that category, and is a match for all manner of muted, cold colours I love, as well as suiting things like dark jeans, pale beige chinos and green fatigues. 

I’ve chosen to show the cardigan here in a slightly more (for me) unusual outfit, which illustrates the same point. 

The shirt is a washed black denim from RRL. It is a lot easier to wear than a black shirt in a smarter material would be, given its texture. Though of course the fact black denim fades to grey helps too. 

The shirt, by the way, is a great colour and a decent denim, but I do wish the RRL ones had bigger collars. It’s low at the back and mean in its point. I can only recommend it if you like that style, or find it suits you more than it does me. 

Returning to the Indulgent Shawl Collar Cardigan, for anyone that needs a reminder, it is made in 12-ply cashmere in Scotland – which means more cashmere knitted in there than most Italian versions. 

It is soft, fluffy and big, and I usually wear a size small (I’m six foot tall, 39-inch chest). However I do also wear a medium, and just find that different, not wrong. A little more roomy and drapey. 

In the images below, I’m wearing a medium in the navy, but a small in the grey (and a small above in the black).

The cardigan is a piece A&S used to sell in their Haberdashery shop, but discontinued. I had one, and loved it so much that I asked if we could bring it back together. 

​​If anyone wants to read the full story behind the knit, it is on the original launch article here. There are also more images of the navy there, and of the grey on this article from last year, when we introduced that colour. 

Finally, I’d like to finish with a testimonial, because they’re always so nice. This is from Paul: “Just wanted to confirm that I…have a 48” chest measurement and the XL cardigan fits me very comfortably. I was a bit concerned about fit when ordering it, but it’s great. As Simon says, it’s very soft and roomy, and there is considerable give in the knit. I’ve been very glad of it today – cold and grey outdoors, not feeling too well, I threw my (cream) shawl cardigan on for the first time this winter and immediately felt warmer and happier, if not better – it’s so comfortable and slouchy that it’s like wearing a hug. Lovely and cosy to curl up in – truly indulgent!”

Other details:

• The cardigan is knitted in Scotland, from the finest 12-ply cashmere, also spun in Scotland
• Uses unpolished horn buttons (always my favourite)
• Has a button on the chest, and a hidden loop, in order to enable it to be buttoned up to the chin
• Doesn’t have the last button at the bottom of the placket many do. Because no one does that one up. It looks weird
• Has two hip pockets, but they come loosely sewn up, so you can keep them closed if (like me) you prefer them not to become baggy. But just snip out the thread if you do want to use them
• Can be worn open or closed, collar up or down, casually or formally 
• As mentioned, Anderson & Sheppard sell several other shawl-collar cardigans, but not this one currently
• It is available in black, dark navy and flannel grey, priced £845 plus taxes. As ever, you’ll struggle to find better value in terms of the amount of work and cashmere in there

Measurements

	Extra Small	Small	Medium	Large	Extra large
Chest	51cm	53	55	57	61
Length	63	65	69	70	71
Sleeve	76	78	79	83	85

(Chest is pit to pit; length is centre back neck to hem; sleeve is centre back neck to end of cuff. Do bear in mind that sizes might seem a little large as well, given the thickness of the material.)

Aside from the cardigan and the RRL shirt, the other clothes shown are brown Rubato chinos, a black Rubato alligator belt, black Belgravia loafers from Edward Green, and a Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso watch on an ostrich strap. 

Photography: Milad Abedi, except for grey shawl cardigan, Jamie Ferguson