Herno Cardigans for Men: Knitwear, Jumpers, Polos and Knit Jackets

A Herno cardigan is a men’s knit in virgin wool, wool and cashmere, merino and pure wool, cut to sit cleanly under the brand’s padded blazers and coats. At Coveti, Herno men’s knitwear runs from $880 to $1,720, and knitted jackets that mix wool with technical nylon reach $2,530.

Quick answer

• What Herno knits: cardigans, crew necks, roll-necks, fisherman’s rib jumpers, knitted polos and hybrid knitted jackets.
• When it started: Herno added knitwear to its men’s offer from 2020, building on more than 70 years of outerwear.
• Main yarns: virgin wool, wool with 10% cashmere, pure cashmere, merino, wool and silk, wool and alpaca.
• Price at Coveti: knitwear $880 to $1,720; knitted polos $940 to $1,110; knitted jackets $1,610 to $2,530.
• Sizing: most knits are listed by UK/US chest (36 to 46); a few use letters XS to XXL.
• Branding: a small metal Herno logo, usually on the back. No large logos.

Does Herno make good knitwear?

Herno is an outerwear house first. It was founded in 1948 in Lesa, on Lake Maggiore, and spent decades making raincoats, down jackets and parkas. Knitwear, accessories and trainers joined the line from 2020, so the knits are designed with one job in mind: to be worn under a Herno coat.

That shows in the details. Some cardigans have a shirt collar that folds neatly under a padded blazer. The heavier gauges are reserved for roll-necks and cardigans that can stand in for a light jacket on mild days.

The yarns are what you would expect at this price: virgin wool, wool blended with 10% cashmere, and 100% cashmere for the plainest crew necks. If you want the full brand story first, read who is Herno.

What do the gauge numbers mean?

Herno lists a gauge on almost every knit. Gauge is the number of needles per inch on the knitting machine. A low number means thick yarn and a chunky, warm knit. A high number means fine yarn and a flat, smooth knit that layers under tailoring.

A simple rule: gauge 12 and above goes under jackets; gauge 7 and below can replace a jacket.

The best Herno cardigans for men

1. Merino Wool Cardigan in Camel

The entry point at $940. A gauge 12 stocking-stitch cardigan in 100% virgin wool with a shirt collar and the metal logo on the back. The fine knit lies flat under a padded blazer, and the collar sits neatly against a jacket lapel. Camel works with navy, grey and brown outerwear. Sizes are in letters here (S, L, XL), so check the chart before you order.

2. Cable-Knit Wool and Cashmere Cardigan in Military and Pink

At $1,350, this is the most playful knit in the edit. A gauge 5 cable in 90% virgin wool and 10% cashmere, with contrast striped trims that borrow from varsity cardigans. It is thick enough to wear as a top layer on a dry autumn day. Pair it with a white T-shirt and grey trousers so the trims do the talking. Chest sizes 36 to 46.

3. Wool and Cashmere Cardigan with Norwegian Pattern in Bordeaux

The warmest cardigan here, at $1,720. The Norwegian jacquard is knitted in 90% virgin wool and 10% cashmere, with a high neck and logo buttons. Herno describes the feel as voluminous and soft, and it has the look of a mountain lodge knit. Wear it over a flannel shirt and under a field jacket in deep winter. Chest sizes 36 to 44.

4. Wool Jacquard Cardigan with Paisley Motif in Black

A gauge 14 v-neck in 100% virgin wool, priced at $1,530. The paisley jacquard is tonal, so from a distance it reads as a plain black cardigan. Close up it has texture and character. The fine gauge makes it the best choice here for wearing over a shirt and under a suit jacket. Chest sizes 36 to 44.

5. Milk White Resort Cardigan in Stocking-Stitch Pure Wool

From the Resort line, at $1,610. A gauge 7 cardigan in 100% wool with a high collar and welt pockets, built for the mid-season when a coat is too much. The milk white colour is crisp with navy trousers and denim. It is the knit to pack for spring travel. Chest sizes 36 to 44.

6. Black Cardigan in Yarn with Raised Knit Pattern

At $1,110, this is the practical option. The yarn is 100% polyester with a corncob stitch at gauge 5, giving a stable, structured texture that holds its shape and resists wear. It is the easiest Herno cardigan to care for. Sizes run XS to XL. Choose it if you want a black cardigan you can throw on daily without worrying about pilling.

Herno jumpers and roll-necks

7. Camel Sweater in Cashmere

The quiet classic. A gauge 12 crew neck in 100% cashmere at $1,440, in stocking stitch with no visible branding on the front. It layers under a coat and works on its own on milder days. Camel pairs with every Herno outerwear colour from navy to dark brown. Chest sizes 36, 38, 42 and 44.

8. Cashmere and Wool Fisherman’s Rib Sweater in Light Blue

Fisherman’s rib gives a spongy, warm volume that a flat knit cannot. This one blends 68% wool with 29% cashmere and 3% polyamide, priced at $1,610. The light blue is soft enough for an office and bright enough to lift a grey coat. Wear it with chinos and suede trainers at the weekend. Chest sizes 36 to 44.

9. Cable-Knit Wool Roll-Neck Jumper in Milk White

The chunkiest knit in the edit: gauge 3 cable in 100% wool, at $1,190. A roll-neck this thick replaces a scarf, which makes it ideal under a down jacket with a lower collar. The milk white reads well against black and navy outerwear. Size for comfort, since a gauge 3 knit has little stretch. Chest sizes 34 to 44.

Knitted jackets and polos

10. Wool Jacket with Raised Texture and Cable-Knit Detailing in Navy Blue

A knitted jacket rather than a cardigan, at $2,530. Pure merino wool combines a cable motif with corn stitch for a compact, three-dimensional weave. It is structured enough to wear as outerwear in the city between seasons. Navy suits office trousers and jeans alike. It also comes in light grey, dark brown and milk white. Chest sizes 34 to 46.

11. Wool Polo Shirt with Openwork Knit in Copper

The knitted polo is the bridge between a T-shirt and a jumper. This one is 100% wool at gauge 7 with an openwork knit and a striped motif, priced at $1,050. It works under an unstructured blazer and on its own in autumn sun. Copper sits well with navy, brown and cream. Chest sizes 36 to 44.

How should a men’s cardigan fit?

A cardigan should close without pulling across the chest and sit at the hip, not below it. The shoulder seam belongs on the edge of your shoulder. The sleeves should end at the wrist bone so a shirt cuff can show.

Coveti lists most Herno knits by UK/US chest size. Herno itself uses Italian sizes, and the conversion is simple: Italian size minus 10. An IT 50 is a 40 chest, an IT 52 is a 42.

Herno does not publish a blanket statement that its knitwear runs small, so start with your usual size. If you plan to wear a fine-gauge cardigan under a slim-fit Herno blazer, stay true to size. If you want a chunky cardigan to wear over a shirt and a T-shirt, one size up gives room. The full conversion tables are in our Herno size guide.

How to wear a cardigan with Herno outerwear

The fine-gauge cardigans are designed to go under the brand’s padded pieces. A camel merino cardigan under La Giacca padded blazer is the simplest smart-casual outfit Herno makes. The shirt collar on the cardigan lies flat inside the blazer’s lapel.

Chunky cardigans work the other way round. Wear them as the outer layer on a dry day, with a padded vest underneath for extra warmth, a trick covered in our guide to Herno gilets and down vests.

• Office: gauge 14 paisley cardigan, white shirt, grey wool trousers, a dark coat.
• Weekend: fisherman’s rib jumper, chinos, suede trainers, a Herno bomber jacket.
• Cold snap: gauge 3 roll-neck under a down jacket, no scarf needed.
• Travel: resort cardigan over a T-shirt, stretch trousers, a packable jacket in the bag.

Herno knitwear around the world

United Kingdom: damp, mild winters suit gauge 7 and gauge 12 cardigans under a raincoat. UK chest sizes match Coveti’s listings directly, so an IT 50 is a 40.

United States: the Northeast needs the heavier knits, the Norwegian cardigan and the gauge 3 roll-neck. On the West Coast, a fine cashmere crew under a light jacket is enough. US chest sizes are the same as UK.

Europe: Italian and German buyers often wear the cardigan as a jacket replacement in spring and autumn. Shoppers used to Italian labels can read the IT size directly and subtract 10 for Coveti’s listing.

Japan: Herno opened stores in Osaka and Tokyo in 1968, and fine-gauge knits that layer under a light coat suit Tokyo’s dry winters. Check the chest measurement, since letter sizes can differ from Japanese labelling.

Middle East and Australia: in Dubai, the knits are for air-conditioned offices and travel to colder cities. In Sydney and Melbourne, the resort cardigan and knitted polos cover most of winter. Coveti ships from its UAE and Australia hubs with duties calculated at checkout.

How to care for wool and cashmere knitwear

Follow the care label on each piece first. As a general habit, rest a wool knit for a day between wears so the fibres recover. Fold knits instead of hanging them, which stretches the shoulders. Remove pilling with a cashmere comb, gently. Store clean knits in a breathable bag with cedar through the summer.

The polyester raised-knit cardigan is the exception: it is the low-maintenance option for daily wear.

Read next: quiet luxury menswear built on Herno, quiet luxury outerwear for men, and Herno around the world.

Shop the full range of men’s knitwear, browse T-shirts and polos, and see every style on the Herno brand page.

Frequently asked questions

Does Herno make cardigans?

Yes. Herno makes men’s cardigans in virgin wool, wool and cashmere, pure wool and a structured polyester yarn. At Coveti they range from $940 for a camel merino cardigan to $1,720 for a Norwegian-pattern wool and cashmere cardigan.

When did Herno start making knitwear?

Herno added knitwear, accessories and trainers to its offer from 2020. Before that the Italian brand, founded in 1948 in Lesa on Lake Maggiore, focused on outerwear such as raincoats, down jackets and parkas.

Is Herno knitwear made of cashmere?

Some of it. Herno’s crew-neck sweaters come in 100% cashmere, several cardigans and roll-necks blend 90% virgin wool with 10% cashmere, and the fisherman’s rib sweater uses 29% cashmere. Other knits are pure wool, wool and silk, and merino.

How does Herno knitwear sizing work?

Herno uses Italian sizes, and Coveti lists the UK/US chest equivalent, which is the Italian size minus 10. An IT 50 is a 40 chest and an IT 52 is a 42. A few knits are sized in letters XS to XL.

How much is a Herno cardigan?

At Coveti, Herno men’s cardigans cost between $940 and $1,720. Herno knitted jackets, which combine knit with technical fabric and work as light outerwear, cost between $1,610 and $2,530.

Where can I buy Herno knitwear outside Italy?

Coveti sells authentic Herno knitwear with worldwide express shipping from hubs in the UAE and Australia. Every piece is checked before dispatch, and duties are calculated at checkout.