Ryan Gosling and other stars are quietly reinventing the cardigan—and men are taking notes
From red carpets to press tours, Hollywood’s biggest names are bringing back the cardigan and giving it a modern, wearable edge.
Lately, different celebrities have been showing up in something you don’t usually associate with red carpets or press tours: Cardigans. It’s not the stiff, preppy kind. These feel relaxed, personal, comfortable, and actually wearable. It’s not being pushed as a big trend anywhere, but when guys like Ryan Gosling and Andrew Garfield keep reaching for the same pieces, it’s hard not to notice.
Ryan Gosling in character and comfort
Recently, Gosling has shocked fans during media tours for his new movie, Project Hail Mary. What wasn’t shocking was the custom cardigan he showed off, inspired by the one he wore in the film and created by the same designer. It fits his style and personality perfectly because he has a knack for bringing bits and pieces of his characters home with him. It’s not a piece that screams loudly for attention, but it is still really cool in the most subtle way. It’s textured, slightly rugged, and cozy without feeling lazy.
Get the look: The exact piece is available via Mary Maxim’s “Wolf Cardigan,” which gives that same outdoorsy, heritage-inspired feel Gosling made look effortless.
Andrew Garfield makes a case for statement knits
Andrew Garfield offers a soft, expressive, and playful take on the cardigan. During the UK premiere for his new film, The Magic Faraway Tree, Garfield wore a green lamb cardigan, a piece that could’ve easily veered into novelty but didn’t. It looked fashionable, elevated, and very him. The style shows off less rigid tailoring and more personality. Relaxed, but you can still feel the purpose and intention behind the choice. He even looked cozy in a cardigan teasing about the new Spiderman movie.
Get the look: We found the exact piece at S.S. Daley “Cyril Lamb Motif Cardigan”. It’s a perfect blend of statement design and a unique yet wearable silhouette.
Jacob Elordi keeps it minimal, but sharp
Jacob Elordi has been building a reputation for his stripped-back, confident style. He’s been spotted incorporating cardigans into his off-duty looks for years now, usually in neutral tones, worn open, layered over simple tees or button-downs. It’s a completely different energy from Gosling or Garfield. No patterns or personal customs, just clean lines and good proportions. But it works just as well. Elordi’s take shows how adaptable the cardigan really is. It’s just about choosing the right fit and letting it sit naturally within the rest of your outfit.
Get the look: If you can’t afford the $1950 price tag on Jacob’s Bottega Veneta cardigan, opt for an almost identical dupe: Banana Republic’s “Donegal Wool-Blend Cardigan” that offers the same texture and silhouette for a much more reasonable price.
Timothée Chalamet embraces softness
Timothée Chalamet has been ahead of this for a while. Long before cardigans started showing up on everyone else, he was already wearing them in his own way with looser fits, softer textures, cool patterns, sometimes just thrown on like it’s no big deal. If anything, Chalamet’s take is proof that you don’t have to choose between style and comfort because a cardigan does both.
Get the look: Timothée is wearing the $699 crochet knit cardigan from Cactus Plant Flea Market. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, you can get the same colorful, textured look from Light in the Box’s “Chunky Knit Striped Button Up.”
Why the cardigan works right now
Menswear has been shifting away from rigid rules for a while now. Comfort and personal style matter more. And pieces that can move between casual and polished without much effort are winning. That’s where the shift is happening. The cardigan isn’t replacing the blazer; it’s redefining what “put together” can look like. It can be worn like a jacket, styled like a sweater, or layered somewhere in between. It can feel vintage or modern depending on how you wear it. And as these guys show, it doesn’t need to be loud to make an impact.
No one’s saying the cardigan is suddenly the most important piece in your closet. But it is having a natural “moment” that’s not from trending or being forced. From Ryan Gosling’s rugged, character-driven knit to Andrew Garfield’s expressive take, and even the understated versions worn by Jacob Elordi and Timothée Chalamet, the message here is that you don’t have to overhaul your style to try something new.
