How to Pick a Quality Men's Sweater

Section: Inclement Weather Wear - Blog

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Whether you need to dress up or dress down, sweaters offer some of the most attractive, affordable style options for a man’s wardrobe. So, if you always thought sweaters were just for warmth, buckle your seat belt. We’re going to teach you how to pick the best sweaters for your lifestyle and your budget.

High quality, perfectly fitted sweaters are one of the most flattering men's garments. For example, they can disguise a smaller frame or slim down a heavyset build. In addition to adding an extra layer of warmth, you can use them to add a dash of colour to your outfits and give yourself a break from the blandness of wearing business shirts and slacks to work. Here's a primer on fabrics, colours, patterns, and weaves to help you choose stylish, budget friendly garments.

Sweater Fabrics

Let's start our discussion with cashmere sweaters, the gold standard for men's sweaters. Pure cashmere sweaters can be extremely expensive, but they are more than worth the price. Named for the long, downy Kashmir goat hair from which the yarn is spun, these are warm and very light.

When you buy a cashmere sweater, keep these tips in mind:

• It must fit perfectly
• You can wear it approximately four times a year
• Choose a simple, timeless dark colour
• Buy from reputable merchants and make sure you get genuine, not imitation, cashmere

Other sweater options

• Woollen Sweaters: The oldest, most common quality sweater fabric, wool's ability to retain heat, its fine hand, and rich history make it a traditional favourite worldwide. However, these are high maintenance sweaters as they are prone to damage from heat and rough handling. For example, if a woollen sweater gets wet, it tends to lose a third of its strength.
• Cotton Sweaters: These sweaters are cooler than their woollen or cashmere counterparts. Since their cellulose foundation sheds heat faster, these can be worn next to the skin as they are very comfortable. Cotton sweaters are usually less expensive than wool or cashmere sweaters.
• Synthetic Fabric Sweaters: The advantage of synthetic fabrics is they are cheap and can mimic the properties of either wool or cotton without needing the same care. However, these sweaters are usually a lesser quality than their woollen or cashmere counterparts.
• Blended Fabric Sweaters: Sweaters made from fabric blends cut manufacturing expenses while increasing performance and/or desired performance properties. When it comes to cashmere blends, companies can market their sweaters as cashmere even though most of the sweater is made from inexpensive woollen or synthetic fibres. However, the inherent advantage of these sweaters lies in their fibre mix. This blending technique usually results in a garment that fits and performs even better than a garment made from a pure fabric.

Sweater Colours

Choose your sweater's colour based on the appropriate dress code for events or occasions. For example, wear darker colours for formal or conservative settings in fall and winter; depend on light coloured sweaters for spring or summer.

Brighter colours attract attention; hence, they are perceived as less formal. However, they are the perfect choice for casual wear as they give the impression that you don't take yourself too seriously. Let the situation and the formality of the occasion be your guide.

Sweater Patterns

When it comes to sweaters, solid colours are considered the most formal. Any discernible patterns, whether woven or stitched, make a garment seem more casual.

For fall and winter, an argyle is a popular sweater pattern choice because the lines and colours make it visually appealing and distinctive. The key to wearing an argyle sweater successfully?

The sweater's pattern is the focal point of your outfit so match it with simple items that will not clash. Since it is a memorable garment, don't wear it too frequently.

Whether you wear your sweater solo, layer it over a shirt, or under a sports jacket, you'll find it is easier to mix and match solid colours and simple patterns with your other wardrobe items.

Note: Sportswear sweaters and jerseys have unique patterns and identifiers on them. This means they are good casual wear and perfectly matched with jeans and suede bucks, but they are not appropriate with men's suits.

Sweater Weaves

A sweater's heat retaining properties, fit and level of formality depend on the weave. Typically, ribbed patterns tend to make the sweater thicker, thereby augmenting its ability to keep you warm and providing you with a better fit. Plain woven sweaters are less elastic and slightly cooler; however, their delicate look makes them appropriate for wearing on formal occasions.

If you'd like to learn how to rock your sweaters in sartorial style,pop into our Sydney showroom for some styling suggestions from one of our master tailors. We'll be glad to help you pick out the perfect companion for a favorite sweater - be it casual wear, career wear or formal wear - we're here to help.

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