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Browse all American Giant sweaters →Men's Shawl Collar Cardigan - Turkish Coffee
The verdict
Fit
Shawl collar typically implies a relaxed, draped neckline. American Giant's cuts tend toward generous; try before committing if you prefer a slimmer silhouette.
Quality
At this price, expect decent but not exceptional seaming and yarn. American Giant maintains consistent quality, but this cardigan is not built to outlast premium competitors.
Is the price fair?
148 USD is mid-premium for a basic men's cardigan. The brand tax is real here; similar construction exists at 80-100 USD from other labels.
Best for
Men seeking a relaxed layering piece from a brand with strong heritage in American casual wear.
Care
Hand-wash or gentle machine wash to preserve the shawl collar's shape and prevent stretching.
Fit check: American Giant
Varies by lineFit depends on which cut you pick: the Classic line is slim, tapered, and reads small on average builds, the Relaxed line is much roomier, and the all-cotton fleece shrinks a size's worth in a hot dryer.
Owners and testers split along the brand's two fit lines rather than one direction. The Classic fleece is cut athletic — broad shoulders tapering to the waist — and one hands-on tester found several pieces "ran small" against the brand's own size charts, with pants also running short in the leg. Meanwhile hoodie reviewers report the opposite out of the box — one called it "larger than its true size" and baggy in the arms — but the 100% cotton shrinks roughly 3-5% in the dryer, and another reviewer's slightly-large medium settled to a proper fit after one wash-and-dry. Reviewers note the Relaxed fit runs about 5 inches bigger in the chest than Classic at the same marked size, so the label alone doesn't tell you the fit.
Sizing advice: Keep your usual size in the Classic fleece and dry on low to let the 3-5% shrinkage dial in the fit; choose the Relaxed cut (not a size up) if you want room, and expect pant inseams to run short.
Per owner & reviewer reports: American Giant Review: Are the made-in-America clothes wo… · American Giant Review — The Adult Man · American Giant Hoodie Review — How Comfy · American Giant Hoodie Review — Stridewise
What owners report about American Giant sweaters
Third-party wear tests report American Giant's knit tops hold up through repeated wear and washing, with one tester finding no color fading, loose threads, or shrinkage after several washes. An owner of the merino crew sweater reports it is a merino-and-cotton blend that machine-washes on delicate without shrinking, and expects to keep wearing it every winter. Fit is the recurring caveat: the merino crew ran noticeably oversized on one reviewer, while a tester found a women's french terry crew ran small with narrow sleeves and a hem that rode up.
- Strengths
- Reviewers consistently report the knits survive repeated washing without fading, shrinkage, or loose threads.
- Watch out for
- Sizing is inconsistent across styles — owners report the merino crew runs oversized while a women's french terry crew ran small with narrow sleeves.
- Sizing
- Sources report fit varies by style rather than by brand: the merino crew sweater runs oversized while a women's french terry crew ran small, so check each product's own fit notes instead of assuming one size across the line.
About American Giant's sweaters line as a whole. Sources: American Giant Review: Are the made-in-America clothes worth it? - Reviewed · American Giant Clothing Review - Lakeshore Lady · American Giant Review (2024): Are Premium Basics Worth It? - The Adult Man
