The men’s sweater is one of the most versatile items of clothing a man can own. However, not all sweaters are alike. There are lots of different styles and materials available that may leave you feeling a bit confused as to what’s best. Fortunately, if you’re looking for advice or you’re just looking to add to your sweater collection; we provide you this guide that’ll help keep you warm in style during the winter months.
Sweater Fabric Types
Cashmere – The highest quality of sweaters, a pure cashmere sweater is the essence of luxury. The cashmere sweater can be very expensive, due to the labour intense process used to create garments made from the Kashmir goat hair from which it gets its name. Extremely soft, warm and light, a cashmere sweater is a important investment for any man and a must for his wardrobe.
Wool – Probably the oldest and the most used fabric for sweaters behind cotton; wool is the most popular amongst men when it comes to looks and function. There are many different types of wool, the most common being Merino, Shetland, and Lambswool. Merino is the softest followed by Lambswool and then Shetland. Wool sweaters tend to be warm but itchy and require great care as they’re at risk of damage from heat and rough handling.
Cotton – Cotton is a natural fibre harvested from the cotton plant. It is one of the oldest and most used natural fibres in existence today. Sweaters made from cotton are going to be cooler compared to cashmere and wool, as it allows for better air circulation and breathability. Durable and lightweight; cotton sweaters can be worn directly on the skin with no irritation.
Synthetic Fabric – Made from synthetic fibres, sweaters made from these man-made fabrics can mimic the properties of wool or cotton. Synthetic fabric sweaters are easier to handle and wash, but in most cases will be of a lower quality when compared to wool and cashmere.
Blended Fabric – You’ll often find that most sweaters are made from two or more different fabrics. Firstly, most manufacturers do this to save money. For example, a company can call their sweater a ‘cashmere’ sweater when in reality a large percentage of the sweater is made from less expensive wool or synthetic fibres. So look out for this and make sure you know what you’re paying for. And secondly, mixing different fibres can actually improve how the sweater fits and performs compared to a pure fabric garment.
Sweater Colour
A plain sweater in black, brown, grey, or navy blue will look very sharp and can be worn with almost anything. Darker colours are generally seen as more formal and conservative; while lighter colours are deemed to be less formal due to the fact they draw attention to the wearer. For colder seasons you’ll want to stick with darker colours or earth tones. If you’re wearing a sweater on a summers evening, lighter colours are acceptable but extremely bright colours are best avoided.
Sweater Pattern
Patterned sweaters, whether woven in or stitched are typically regarded as casual wear. Argyle is one of the main sweater patterns and is a good way to add more colour to an ensemble. It offers a sporty alternative to wearing a plain sweater, which makes these types of sweaters casual by association. Argyle sweaters can be worn with nearly anything if the colours are co-ordinated correctly. Match it with simple items that do not compete with it; worn under a sports jacket with jeans will complete the look.
Sweater Weave
Woven sweaters tend to fashion heavy rib patterns, making the sweater thicker and more suitable for colder weather. Cable knit is one of the most popular sweater weaves seen on men in the winter months.
Sweater Styles
Reiss Mars MERINO WOOL CREW NECK JUMPER
Crew Neck Sweaters – Recognized by the full circular collar, the crew neck was once worn by rowing, boating and crew members – hence the name. Of all the sweater styles, the crew neck sweater covers most of your upper body, meaning what you wear underneath is insignificant –until you need to remove the sweater that is. If you’re going to wear something underneath, a button down collar works best, although most of it will be covered.
Reiss Jupiter MERINO WOOL V-NECK JUMPER
V-Neck Sweaters – Recognized by the low cut ‘V’ neckline. The ‘V’ line cut helps draw attention to the face and creates a slimmer profile illusion. This style works when combined with a button down collar dress shirt (with or without a tie) and is why the v-neck sweater can be worn with a suit. A v-neck can also be worn with a properly fitted sports jacket which will be more casual than a suit but still add a great amount of style to your outfit.
Reiss Neptune ROLL NECK MERINO JUMPER
Roll Neck Sweaters – Walk around many retail stores and the men’s roll neck is nowhere to be found. A dark coloured, well-fitted roll neck sweater is a versatile piece that should be found in every man’s wardrobe. It can be worn under a sports jacket or simply by itself. The key to wearing it is to get the right roll at the neck and never tuck it in.
Reiss Milton TEXTURED SHAWL CARDI
Cardigan Sweaters – The word cardigan was once associated with old people. However, cardigans are now in fashion and compliment men of all ages. You can wear it over a dress shirt, under a sports jacket, with jeans or with dress trousers. The cardigan is one of the most versatile sweaters and should be a part of every man’s clothing collection.
Sweater Vests – Similar to most v-necks, minus the sleeves; sweater vests make a great layering option when worn with a suit or sport jacket.
