Image: Getty

JOSH O’CONNOR, in many ways, channels the quintessential British gentleman in his dress sense. An affable charm that looks polished yet lived in; effortless and elevated. A lot of words to simply say “the bloke has style” but that style is a very specific thing.

Case in point: the media wall for his new film, Disclosure Day. O’Connor’s outfit of choice. Courtesy of Jonathan Anderson and Dior, he opted for a tonal wardrobe of black trousers, shirt and tie in shades of anthracite (okay, grey) and the pièce de résistance: a chunky black knit cardigan.

Normally on these rounds, the look of choice for male leads is the trusty look of a blazer. Sometimes a leather jacket. Something that carries a certain amount of structure to accentuate the silhouette against the backdrop of the film’s promo setting or create a clear outline in the group shots. Styling tip 101.

O’Connor’s option for a cardigan argues for softness over structure, a contrapposto to the formality of the tie and trousers.

To be fair, the cardigan underwent a revival in 2023 when Pedro Pascal was spotted wearing them casualmente around LA and New York.

Image: Getty

This feels different, however, courtesy of a two-pronged argument: the design, of course, and, as I said, the man.

Speaking to the design, Anderson’s take on the cardigan adds a thicker, broader cable knit that replaces the blazer’s structure and adds the bulk it might have given the body and shoulders. The collar, thicker to keep shape and sitting slightly higher and finishing at the exact same line as the collar continues the elevation of the overall look. The oversized nature also means O’Connor can fold the cuffs. Of course, this particular cardigan’s additional detail of tails mimicking an actual tailcoat jacket is the extra sauce that makes it red carpet-ready.

But even sans that detail, you’d be right as rain switching your everyday blue jacket for a chunkier knit in the office.

Then of course, there’s O’Connor himself. The aforementioned quintessential British sense of style that is drawn to details of quality and comfort. One of the hallmarks of O’Connor’s style over the years has been to look like he could just as easily relax in it as he would walk a red carpet. His styling has veered practical, and knitwear has played a huge part in that. Vests, sweaters. And now cardigans.

This is the energy we are bringing into the cooler months, too, as we look for an alternative to the blazer or heaver coats.

Or, worse, the puffer vest.

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