Theory
Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan
The Theory Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan is a men's regular-fit, long-sleeve button-front cardigan made from Bilen fabric, a lightweight stretch technical knit blending viscose and thermoplastic polyester. It has a ribbed crew neck, ribbed cuffs and hem, dropped shoulder seams, and a single vertical column of tone-on-tone buttons on the center-front placket, with a hip-length body. It is worn as a layering piece over a T-shirt or shirt for casual and business-casual use, and is shown in a dark charcoal grey knit.
- Material
- Bilen fabric: lightweight stretch technical knit made from a blend of viscose and thermoplastic polyester
- Gender
- male
- Style
- minimal, classic, smart-casual, modern
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops
Color
Specifications
Sleek minimalist crew-neck cardigan in Theory's lightweight stretch Bilen knit, finished with tonal buttons and ribbed edging.
Lightweight stretch technical knit, soft fluid drape, regular fit, crew neck, ribbed edging, tone-on-tone button front.
- Material
- Bilen fabric: lightweight stretch technical knit made from a blend of viscose and thermoplastic polyester
- Secondary
- polyester
- Style
- minimal, classic, smart-casual, modern
- Occasion
- work, business-casual, everyday, casual
- Gender
- male
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops
Additional Attributes
- lightweight Bilen technical knit
- soft stretch knit with fluid drape
- viscose and thermoplastic polyester blend
- regular fit
- crew neckline
- ribbed edging
- tone-on-tone button front
- minimalist sleek design
- versatile layering cardigan
- understated sophisticated aesthetic
- menswear essential
- designed by Theory, a New York label
Product Insights
62% viscose, 38% polyester; elastic present but not quantified Regular fit with relaxed, dropped-shoulder cut Machine wash cold gentle; no bleach; lay flat in shade; cool iron; dry clean except trichloroethylene Light transitional layer, not a cold-weather sweater Wear buttoned or open for two distinct looks Flat 375 CAD across all sizes
Verified claims
- material
- 62% viscose, 38% polyester; elastic present but not quantified
- fit
- Regular fit with relaxed, dropped-shoulder cut
- sizing
- Size M measures about 26.3 in back length and 22.3 in flat chest
- length
- Hip-length hem with ribbed finish
- construction
- Fine-gauge, smooth knit built for layering
- ribbing
- Ribbed crew collar, cuffs and hem
- design
- Crew neck with single column of tone-on-tone buttons
- stretch
- Mechanical stretch from knit structure and thermoplastic polyester
- care
- Machine wash cold gentle; no bleach; lay flat in shade; cool iron; dry clean except trichloroethylene
- storage
- Dry flat and store folded rather than hung
- wrinkle
- Less rumpling than pure viscose, but not wrinkle-free
- static
- Static and cling can occur, especially in dry climates
- pilling
- Pilling risk depends on yarn and finishing; knits need monitoring
- warmth
- Light transitional layer, not a cold-weather sweater
- snag
- Moderate snag risk; keep away from velcro, watch clasps and rough hardware
- styling
- Wear buttoned or open for two distinct looks
- layering
- Best over a simple crew-neck tee, not a bulky top or button-up
- use
- Transitional layering piece for work and mild weather
- value
- Flat 375 CAD across all sizes
- variant
- Between MEDIUM and LARGE, choose LARGE to close over a shirt
Product record
- Title
- Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan
- Brand
- Theory
- Price
- 375 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 9 sourcesUses
A lightweight layer for in-between weather
Wear this Theory cardigan as a transitional layer when it's too warm for a sweater but too cool for just a shirt. The lightweight, stretchy Bilen knit has a comfortable technical feel with a relaxed fit, crew neckline, and button front, so it layers easily over everyday outfits while keeping a clean, minimalist look.[1,2]
Layering over Theory pants for a refined look
Theory positions this relaxed, crew-neck cardigan as a natural complement to its signature pants, from the Zaine to the Curtis, making it a natural pairing piece for those outfits. The brand describes it as a lightweight, textured layering piece suited to transitional weather. Simons' product copy says the minimalist knit adds a sense of balanced refinement to outfits.[1,2]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan: Choose this if you want a sleek, minimalist cardigan for transitional layering, made from Theory's lightweight Bilen knit—a soft, stretchy blend of 62% viscose and 38% polyester with strong shape retention and a comfortable, technical feel. It has a relaxed, boxy fit with dropped shoulders, a ribbed crew neckline, cuffs and hem, tone-on-tone buttons, and comes in Charcoal in sizes small to extra-large, with easy machine-washable care. Note that the relaxed cut reads boxy and hip-length in photos, so it suits those who prefer that silhouette over a trimmer fit.[1,2,3] | Myhlo Textured Knit Sweater: Choose this if you want a casual-elegance cotton crewneck: Theory styles this spring-collection sweater in a solid dark navy 100% cotton knit with a dense bird's-eye texture, described by the merchant as very comfortable, with a crew neck featuring an over-seamed V detail and ribbed collar, cuffs, and hem in a regular fit. It hangs with a relaxed, straight and slightly boxy torso on the model, hemming at the waist — about 30.5 inches from shoulder to hem on the US size Medium shown. It comes in sizes from small to extra-large, so it suits shoppers seeking an easy, matte-finish everyday knit.[4,5,6,7,8,9] |
Image Analysis
2 images- 01
Product
Front view of a men's crew-neck button-front cardigan in a uniform dark charcoal knit with a ribbed crew collar, ribbed cuffs and hem, and a central column of round dark buttons. A white crew T-shirt is partially visible underneath at the neckline and hem.
- Overall shapeBoxy, hip-length cardigan with dropped shoulder seams and long sleeves that appear slightly ruched at the forearms.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.12 · w 0.88 · h 0.72 (medium) - NecklineLow-profile ribbed crew-neck collar sitting flat against the model's neck with the top button positioned at the center front of the collar band.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.03 · w 0.44 · h 0.12 (high) - Front closureSingle vertical column of round dark buttons sewn on the center front placket; placket is knit with a subtle seam visible down the middle.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.12 · w 0.20 · h 0.72 (high) - Cuffs and hemRibbed knit cuffs and a ribbed bottom hem with the hem sitting slightly above the model's hips and revealing a white layer beneath.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.70 · w 0.88 · h 0.20 (medium) - Knit textureSmooth, fine-gauge knit with a consistent even surface and no visible patterning.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.18 · w 0.60 · h 0.48 (high) - Visible underlayerWhite crew T-shirt visible at the neckline and a thin strip at the hem under the cardigan.
2 regions
x 0.36 · y 0.06 · w 0.30 · h 0.05 (high); x 0.40 · y 0.78 · w 0.20 · h 0.03 (high)
Other
Studio-style product photo cropped at mid-thigh with a neutral light-to-mid gray gradient background and soft, even lighting producing minimal shadows.
- Shot compositionCropped three-quarter frontal shot showing the model from just below the nose to mid-thigh, centered in frame.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - BackgroundSmooth neutral light gray gradient without props or visible texture.
- Lighting and shadowsSoft, even studio lighting with gentle shadowing under the arms and slight shading that models the garment shape.
- Model visible cropLower half of the face, neck, and hands of the model are visible; hair partially covers the shoulder area.
3 regions
x 0.28 · y 0.00 · w 0.46 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.72 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (medium); x 0.74 · y 0.72 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (medium)
Colors
charcoal gray· body and sleeves- Overall shapeBoxy, hip-length cardigan with dropped shoulder seams and long sleeves that appear slightly ruched at the forearms.
- 02
Product
Rear view of a long-sleeve, fine-knit dark heather grey sweater worn by a model; visible details include a crew-neck back, dropped shoulder seam, fitted ribbed hem and narrow ribbed cuffs, and subtle surface texture.
- Overall silhouetteBack view of a long-sleeve knit top with a straight torso, slightly relaxed fit through the body, and the hem sitting at the model's waistline.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.06 · w 0.88 · h 0.68 (high) - Neckline at backLow crew/round neckline visible at the nape with a smooth finish and no visible collar stand.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.02 · w 0.28 · h 0.12 (high) - Shoulder constructionDropped shoulder seam visible running horizontally from the neck toward the upper arm on both sides.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.06 · w 0.80 · h 0.18 (high) - Hem finishFitted ribbed hem band at the waist creating a subtle gathered effect where the fabric meets the waistband of the pants.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.60 · w 0.72 · h 0.20 (high) - Sleeve cuffsNarrow, ribbed sleeve cuffs visible at the wrist on both sleeves with a smooth transition from the sleeve body.
2 regions
x 0.02 · y 0.70 · w 0.24 · h 0.20 (high); x 0.74 · y 0.58 · w 0.24 · h 0.34 (medium) - Knit textureFine, uniform knit texture across the garment producing a slightly heathered appearance.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.16 · w 0.60 · h 0.52 (high) - Visible lack of closuresNo visible buttons, zippers, or other closures on the back surface.
- Occlusion by model hairModel's long dreadlocks partially cover the upper back and neck area, obscuring a small portion of the garment at the top center.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.00 · w 0.30 · h 0.18 (high)
Other
Studio shot of the model from the rear on a plain light background; cropped at mid-thigh, even soft lighting with minimal shadows, and the model's left hand visible at the lower left.
- Shot compositionRear three-quarter crop of a standing model, framed from the upper neck to mid-thigh against a plain light backdrop.
- Background and lightingUniform light grey to white background with soft, even studio lighting and minimal harsh shadows.
- Visible prop (pants)Dark-colored pants are visible and sit under the sweater hem; they are not described as part of the product in this image analysis.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.66 · w 0.56 · h 0.34 (high) - Model handModel's left hand is visible at the lower left edge of the image, partially cropped.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.76 · w 0.14 · h 0.22 (high)
Colors
dark heather charcoal· body and sleeves- Overall silhouetteBack view of a long-sleeve knit top with a straight torso, slightly relaxed fit through the body, and the hem sitting at the model's waistline.
Brand PDP Lookup
- Brand
- Theory
Button-Up Cardigan in Light Bilen
Variants
4 SKUs| SKU | Title | Price | Avail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4690317 | Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan - Charcoal - Small | CA$375.00 | Yes |
| 4690318 | Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan - Charcoal - Medium | CA$375.00 | Yes |
| 4690319 | Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan - Charcoal - Large | CA$375.00 | Yes |
| 4690320 | Light Bilen Crew-Neck Cardigan - Charcoal - X-Large | CA$375.00 | Yes |