Founder & Creative Director of Men's Style Pro, Sabir has…

Today, I will crown the shawl collar pull over sweater as the item of the year in men’s clothing. Not only has it taken the world by storm, designers and brands like Ralph Lauren, Theory, Michael Kors and H&M have made the shawl collar sweater their front runner for many looks this fall/winter season. Depending on your style preference and price points there is a shawl collar sweater out there for you.

The shawl collar has the great ability of framing your face so well that people can not help to be drawn to looking right at you (which is a plus when you are trying to the subject of someone’s eye). People will be more drawn to look you in the face because of the structure of the sweater. Also, if you happen to be wearing a bow tie, the opening of the shawl collar really put your bow on display. If you have watched the show Mad Men, you will have seen a few characters wearing these sweaters on their casual time (while drinking scotch, of course) at home. As you can see in the first picture, a shawl collar can be dressed up and work appropriate or dressed down with denim in the next picture.

There are a variety of colors and fabrics that these sweaters can be made from. The most common fabrics you will see these sweaters made of are a woven wool or cotton (sometimes a cashmere blend too). The thickness and style of the sweaters is merely a preference of the wearer and sometimes depend on the brand. For your warmer styles go with the cable knit style of sweater. Not only will the cable knit keep you warm it will have a bit more character because of the design of the knit. Shawl collar knit sweaters give you a very university/collegiate aesthetic without going overboard on the prep. Be on the look out for cardigans with a shawl collar as well because they are a great alternative from the traditional cardigan than can tend to be a bit boring for some.
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Founder & Creative Director of Men's Style Pro, Sabir has a deep passion for menswear and all things manly. Selected as one of the "5 Best Dressed Men In America" by Esquire Magazine in 2010 & as #GQFall 2013 Best Dressed Man. As of 2014, Sabir serves as a freelance brand ambassador & executive stylist for GQ Magazine & GQ Report. Outside of that partnership, Sabir serves as an independent brand consultant as well. Reach me directly at SABIR@MENSSTYLEPRO.COM