The zip cardigan gets written off more often than it deserves, usually because the wrong version of it exists in too many wardrobes. Thin fabric, a plasticky zipper, a fit that goes shapeless after four washes. That version deserves the skepticism. The right zip cardigan, though, is one of the more useful layering pieces a man can own. It goes over a shirt and under a jacket without adding bulk. It works on a Saturday when you are not trying to dress up but you are also not not trying. It takes the place of a blazer in situations where a blazer would be too much. We have been looking specifically for options with real weight to the fabric, a zip that sits flush when closed, and a collar that behaves. Nothing with a logo where the chest pocket should be. These are the ones that pull their weight every single time you reach for them.