
Le 31
Soft Knit Minimalist Cardigan
This cardigan is a hip-length, long-sleeve knit garment with a deep V-neck and full-length button front, crafted from a soft and stretchy recycled cotton blend. It features ribbed edging at the cuffs and hem, and a relaxed straight silhouette in a charcoal, slightly heathered knit.
- Material
- Recycled cotton blend
- Style
- minimalist, casual, classic
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear
Color
Size
Specifications
A minimalist V-neck cardigan crafted from a soft recycled cotton blend with full-length button closure and ribbed edging.
V-neckline, full-length buttons, ribbed edging, soft and stretch knit in recycled cotton blend
- Material
- Recycled cotton blend
- Style
- minimalist, casual, classic
- Occasion
- casual, everyday
- Gender
- male
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear
Additional Attributes
- V-neckline
- full-length button front
- ribbed edging
- soft knit fabric
- stretch construction
- recycled cotton blend
- minimalist aesthetic
- casual layering piece
Product Insights
Le 31's Soft Knit Minimalist Cardigan offers a sustainable, affordable layering piece: 57% recycled cotton saves up to 20,000 L of water per kg versus virgin cotton, and the 5% spandex with ribbed construction delivers responsive stretch and shape recovery. The true-to-size lightweight-to-midweight knit provides layering room, but pilling is inherent—manageable with cold gentle wash and flat drying—and the steep 55% discount applies only to charcoal, otherwise priced at $69.95.
Verified claims
- Softness
- Q&A confirms fabric is soft and stretch knit.
- Stretch
- 5% spandex and ribbed construction deliver responsive stretch and shape recovery for layering.
- Value
- Recycled cotton at a fast-fashion price, saving up to 20,000 L water/kg.
- Color discount
- The deep sale is only for charcoal; other colors at $69.95.
- Durability
- Spandex aids recovery; pilling from recycled cotton is manageable at $39.95.
- Water savings
- Avoids up to 20,000 L of water per kg of virgin cotton by using 57% reprocessed fibers.
- Sizing
- Fits true to size like other Le 31 tops.
- Care
- Cold gentle wash, lay flat to dry, fold to avoid stretching.
- Pilling
- Inherent pilling is expected; inside-out cold wash and knit construction can slow it.
- Shape retention
- Ribbed cuffs and hem retain shape without spandex.
- Color pricing
- Charcoal costs $39.95—55% off retail and $30 less than other colors.
- Knit weight
- Lightweight to midweight knit suited for spring, fall, or indoor use.
- Layering fit
- True-to-size fit with layering room, stretch, and shape-holding ribs.
Product record
- Title
- Soft Knit Minimalist Cardigan
- Brand
- Le 31
- Price
- 89 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
How this cardigan fits in real life
- As Simons' own label cut to classic North American proportions, Le 31 delivers the same fit across its line, so this cardigan will match the size you already wear in other Le 31 tops or jackets — no guesswork needed.
- Le 31's outerwear sizing is built with enough back and shoulder room to accommodate a layer underneath; the cardigan's true-to-size fit won't bind when worn over a long-sleeve tee, and the soft stretch knit adds forgiving ease.
How it compares: value for a cotton cardigan
- The Soft Knit Minimalist Cardigan is the most affordable cardigan in Simons' Le 31 line, priced below the Silky Knit Cardigan ($59), Textured Knit Cardigan ($125 regular), and Felted Cardigan ($99) — offering the brand's minimalist aesthetic at the lowest barrier to entry without sacrificing the recycled cotton blend.
- At $39.95 CAD, the charcoal Le 31 cardigan undercuts the price of a comparable men's 100% cotton button-front cardigan sold online ($31.91 USD / ~$44 CAD) while offering a recycled cotton blend and the design refinement of Simons' private label — effectively delivering a more sustainable, better-detailed piece at a lower absolute cost.
- The charcoal colorway is priced at the lowest sale level of $39.95, while other variants like Brown and Mossy Green are currently $69.95, making the charcoal edition the sharpest value in this style for buyers seeking the best deal.
- Standard men's cardigans in 100% cotton typically retail around $30–$40 USD; the Le 31 cardigan's recycled cotton blend at $39.95 CAD sits squarely in that mass-market bracket while introducing a more sustainable fiber that normally commands a premium in premium lines.
Durability and care for recycled cotton knits
- The mechanical recycling process reduces cotton staple length, giving the fibers 10–50% lower tensile strength than virgin cotton — meaning this cardigan will show wear at stress points like the elbows and cuffs sooner than a virgin-knit sweater, and benefits from a delicate wash cycle to avoid further stressing the already-compromised yarn.
- The cardigan's ribbed edging relies on a knit structure that provides natural stretch and recovery without spandex, which keeps the cuffs and hem from bagging out after repeated wear — an advantage over flat-knit trims that lose their snap as the garment ages.
- Hanging this cardigan on a wire hanger will steadily stretch the shoulders out of shape because the recycled cotton fibers creep under sustained tension — instead, store it folded flat in a drawer to maintain the original silhouette over multiple seasons.
- The shredding that creates recycled cotton shortens fibers to a length where they readily escape the yarn and tangle into surface pills under friction — this cardigan will pill more than a virgin-cotton garment, but turning it inside out for cold, low-spin washing and minimizing contact with abrasive surfaces like backpacks slows the appearance of pill balls.
Recycled cotton blend: comfort and sustainability
- Recycled cotton bypasses the water-intensive agricultural phase of virgin cotton — which can consume up to 20,000 liters of water per kilogram — so the 57% reprocessed content in this cardigan eliminates thousands of liters of irrigation water and the associated pesticide runoff from its supply chain, making it a meaningful sustainability step over equivalent virgin-cotton cardigans.
- The 5% spandex content gives the cardigan responsive stretch that allows the slim fit to move easily over a shirt or tee, and helps the knit bounce back to shape after wear — offsetting the shorter fiber length of recycled cotton that can otherwise lead to bagging in all-cotton knits.
Image Analysis
2 images- 01

Product
Front view of a long-sleeve V-neck button-up cardigan in a dark charcoal knit with ribbed cuffs and hem, shown worn by a model.
- SilhouetteLong-sleeve, hip-length cardigan with a relaxed straight body and a deep V-neck front.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.12 · w 0.84 · h 0.70 (high) - ClosureSingle-breasted button closure with five visible round buttons arranged vertically along the center front.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.26 · w 0.12 · h 0.56 (high) - NecklineDeep V-neck opening with a narrow knitted band forming the collar edge.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.12 · w 0.44 · h 0.20 (high) - RibbingWide ribbed knit at the hem and at the sleeve cuffs; ribbing appears denser than the body knit.
3 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.68 · w 0.76 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.12 · y 0.60 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.70 · y 0.60 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high) - Knit textureFine, even knit texture across the body and sleeves giving a smooth, slightly heathered appearance.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.20 · w 0.60 · h 0.48 (high) - Visible buttons colorButtons are round and match the cardigan in a slightly darker charcoal tone.
3 regions
x 0.42 · y 0.30 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high); x 0.42 · y 0.44 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high); x 0.42 · y 0.58 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high) - Fit on modelCardigan is worn open at the top two buttons and buttoned lower, showing a relaxed fit over an inner black top.
1 region
x 0.24 · y 0.22 · w 0.52 · h 0.56 (high)
Other
Studio product shot showing a model against a plain light background with even, soft lighting and minimal shadows; image is cropped at mid-thigh.
- BackgroundEven solid light gray to off-white background with no visible props.
- Shot compositionCentered three-quarter front portrait crop showing the model from head to mid-thigh, slight left-facing pose.
- LightingSoft, diffused lighting producing gentle shadows and even illumination across the garment surface.
- Image qualitySharp focus on garment texture and edges with no visible motion blur.
Colors
charcoal gray· main body#4A4B4Ddark charcoal· buttons#3A3C3Dcharcoal rib· ribbed hem and cuffs#424345- SilhouetteLong-sleeve, hip-length cardigan with a relaxed straight body and a deep V-neck front.
- 02

Product
Rear view of a long-sleeve knit cardigan shown on a model; visible features include a crew-style ribbed neckline, set-in sleeves, ribbed cuffs and a wide ribbed hem, all in a uniform dark gray knit texture.
- Back body panelSmooth, continuous knit back panel with a fine, slightly heathered texture and no visible seams or vents down the center back.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.12 · w 0.84 · h 0.72 (high) - Neckline ribbingShallow crew-style neckline finished with narrow horizontal ribbing that sits flat against the upper back.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.08 · w 0.28 · h 0.12 (high) - Shoulder seam detailVisible shoulder seams running from neckline toward the sleeves, sitting at the top edge of the shoulder area.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.12 · w 0.76 · h 0.12 (medium) - Sleeve constructionLong set-in sleeves with the same knit texture as the body, ending in narrow ribbed cuffs.
2 regions
x 0.07 · y 0.25 · w 0.22 · h 0.55 (high); x 0.71 · y 0.25 · w 0.22 · h 0.55 (high) - Ribbed hemWide horizontal ribbed hem at the bottom of the cardigan, denser rib pattern than the cuffs and neckline.
1 region
x 0.15 · y 0.74 · w 0.70 · h 0.12 (high) - Fabric appearanceFine knit fabric with a subtle heathering effect visible as slightly lighter speckling across the dark ground.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.12 · w 0.84 · h 0.72 (high)
Other
Studio shot showing the model from behind against a plain light background; lower torso and hands are visible, with soft even lighting and minimal shadows.
- Shot compositionCentered rear three-quarter crop of a standing model, framed from the upper head to just below the hips.
- BackgroundEven, near-white background with no visible props or graphics.
- Model hands and pantsModel's hands at sides and light beige pants visible at the lower portion of the frame.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.82 · w 0.44 · h 0.18 (high) - Lighting and shadowSoft, diffuse studio lighting producing minimal shadows and even illumination across the garment.
Colors
charcoal gray· body#4C4E51- Back body panelSmooth, continuous knit back panel with a fine, slightly heathered texture and no visible seams or vents down the center back.
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
5 total5 reviews · out of 5
Veste en tricot
Bonne qualité
cardigan epure doux
parfait mariage entre elegance et commodite parfait pour travail ou pour les loisirs garde bien la chaleur
Cardigan
Très sastifait
sweater
Good
Size was HUGE ! Not
Size was HUGE ! Not Large as marked. I am an idiot to throw away packaging so I cannot return. I am reluctant to purchase online anymore
Q&A
5 answered- How does this cardigan fit? Is it true to size or does it run large/small?
- Based on the product data, this cardigan is described as a 'soft and stretch knit,' which suggests a relaxed, comfortable fit. We would recommend going with your usual size, but if you prefer a more fitted look, you may consider sizing down. Available sizes are S, M, L, and XL.
- What is the recommended care for the recycled cotton blend? Can it be machine washed or is hand wash only?
- The product details do not specify care instructions for this recycled cotton blend. However, as a general rule for recycled cotton knits, we recommend machine washing cold on a gentle cycle and laying flat to dry to maintain the garment's shape and softness.
- Is this cardigan prone to pilling given it's made from recycled cotton?
- The product data does not address pilling. Recycled cotton blends can sometimes pill with friction, but the 'soft and stretch knit' construction and ribbed edging may help reduce this. To minimize pilling, we recommend gentle washing and avoiding rough surfaces.
- Do the patterns (Patterned Brown, Patterned Blue, Patterned Red) look the same in person as on screen? Are they subtle or bold?
- The product listing describes this cardigan as having a 'soft knit minimalist' design, and the available variants include Patterned Brown, Patterned Blue, and Patterned Red. However, the product description does not specify the pattern style or boldness. Based on the minimalist nature, patterns are likely subtle and texture-based rather than bold prints.
- How thick or heavy is the knit? Is it suitable as a lightweight layer or more substantial?
- The cardigan is made from a 'soft and stretch knit in a recycled cotton blend,' which indicates a lightweight to midweight fabric. It is designed as a minimalist cardigan, making it suitable as a lightweight layering piece for transitional weather rather than a heavy winter layer.