Buttoning Up for Winter Golf

On the Northern California coast, the cardigan sweater comes into its own on the winter golf course. I love the light gray flannel trousers and green cavalier's hat on the man putting in the illustration.

Most of all, I appreciate that his cardigan buttons rather than zips. I think zippers are fine when covered by cloth. But, rational or not, my eye just doesn't like looking at them on clothes.

Of course, that's not a problem in this mythical place where caddies wear wrap coats and neckties.

Cary Grant Did It

In one of his films, Cary Grant arrived at his office, removed his jacket and his oxfords and slipped into a cardigan sweater and tassel loafers for the day. Years later, author Bruce Boyer wrote that the scene was the beginning of business casual.

I admit that his cardigan looked lighter and more comfortable than any suit jacket and I tried to emulate Mr. Grant one winter. I bought a gray Scottish cashmere version and brought it into the office with a pair of Alden tassel moccasins. But I was back to wearing my jacket and regular shoes after just a couple of weeks.

For one thing, the office was often a bit too warm for a sweater. And, more importantly, I discovered that it just took too long to change my shoes and a jacket every time I was going to lunch or a meeting, and back again when I returned. It's one thing to wear clothes and quite another to be dressing and undressing several extra times each day.

But the sweater was a worthwhile purchase overall as it serves me still. I wear it instead of a jacket for casual daytime entertaining on the weekend, with a pair of patterned trousers, an ecru silk shirt with a button down collar, slip-on shoes and a scarf.

The pictured John Laing of Scotland's classic cardigan model is from San Francisco's Cable Car Clothiers. These are rather steep at $595 but similar models are available from many reputable men's stores and online. One source that I've never tried is Brora Scottish Cashmere which has cardigans for £239.00 (about $400 ex VAT) . And I've seen them on sale elsewhere for half of that price.

Just remember that a cardigan should button, not zip. How else can a man leave the bottom button unbuttoned?