I’m not sure about you, but I’m ready for sweater weather.
Why? Because sweater style and outfits are unquestionably the finest! First of all, there are so many more layers with which to experiment. Second, a well-fitting quality sweater is one of the most attractive things a man can wear. It gives a slim form and also slims down a huge shape. It keeps you warm while also providing a stylish departure from the monotony of wearing dress shirts and slacks to work.
You might as well have questioned why men wear sweaters in the first place.
Answer in a single word, Versatility.
Sweaters are the ideal compromise between casual and formal wear. A sweater can be worn with blazers and slacks, as well as jeans and a t-shirt. Sweaters are a mainstay of an exquisite men’s casual outfit.
Related: 12 Winter Essentials For A Sophisticated Gentleman
Now that you know where your sweaters stand in your closet, it’s time to learn about different types of sweaters, it’s fabrics, and how to style each of them.
Let’s have a look at the Sweater fabrics and fibers.
The material of your sweater is usually determined by your budget, intended use, and practicality. Aim for the highest possible quality; one rule of thumb is to look at how much information a shop provides regarding the material.
Here is the list of some common sweater fabrics.
1. Cashmere
A cashmere sweater is a significant investment for any man, as it is warm and light as a feather. Due to the scarcity of the long downy Kashmir goat hair from which cashmere gets its name, a pure cashmere sweater can cost hundreds of dollars.
When buying a cashmere sweater, my recommendation is to be sure that;
- It fits perfectly.
- You’ll wear it at least four times a year.
- It’s a simple, classic dark hue.
- And last but not the least, you bought it from a reliable retailer (counterfeit sweaters are a poor investment).
Cry once about the cost, then put it on every chance you have and feel like a million bucks. If you look after your cashmere sweater, you should be able to get 200+ wears out of it over the course of ten years.
2. Alpaca
Alpaca fiber is as soft as cashmere, but due to small air pockets in the fiber, it provides around 7% more warmth than cashmere. Alpaca is also stretchy, lanolin-free, and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for persons who are allergic to wool or cashmere. It’s more than likely to be mixed up with other natural materials.
The alpaca’s smooth, straight hairs aren’t really wool – they’re fibrous fur similar to what people have on their heads, but with a smoother surface and less frizz than sheep’s wool.
They’re also fantastically insulating while being light in weight, thanks to their hollow construction filled with small air pockets.
Alpaca is a popular fabric for winter sweaters because it can be layered without adding a lot of bulk. Regrettably, the per-unit cost is also higher, making alpaca-fiber sweaters an expensive treat.
3. Wool
Sheep’s wool, by far the most popular traditional material for sweaters, can have a wide range of finished products depending on how it is spun, processed, and woven. Washing and combing the wool softens it and removes the rough edges from the individual fibers. This smoothes the texture, but it also weakens the fibers, diminishing the wool’s resilience.
Wool is known for being irritating, but that shouldn’t stop you from admiring this lovely classic fabric. Consider layering wool sweaters over button-down shirts and researching all of the different types of wool to find the right one for you. For example, Merino Wool, which is fine and thin, is ideal for layering at the office, over shirts, and under jackets.
Wool is a strong, insulating material that is easy to work with. It’s also quite long-lasting if properly cared for: don’t stretch it out when wet, and don’t expose it to too much direct heat. It’s frequently a trade-off between cost and utility.
4. Cotton & Linen
Cotton and Linen are particularly popular in hotter climes or during the transitional seasons. These sweaters don’t offer much protection from the cold, but they are an improvement over wearing just a shirt.
They may easily be tied around your neck or waist because they’re so light. They’re also a great option for travelers because the sweater is lighter in weight and size than a bulkier wool sweater.
5. Synthetics & Poly-Blends
These days, it’s tough to escape synthetics and poly-blends, which are popular because they stretch readily, feel good on the skin, and are less expensive than their natural counterparts.
On the other hand, they are rarely built to last and are frequently intended to be discarded after a few years of use. As much as possible, stay away from them if you are planning to have a durable piece of sweater in your wardrobe.
Fabrics play a great role while buying sweaters but the most crucial thing is to understand how they should fit on your body.
Here is the list of different types of men’s sweaters and a complete guide to style each of them.
1. Cardigan
The Cardigan, also known as the old man’s sweater, has fought heroically to reclaim its sartorial relevance. A cardigan is similar to a jacket but it has buttons or toggles that open down the front. The best cardigans provide a slimming effect around the waist, similar to that of suits or sports coats. Despite their long-held reputation as an ‘old man’s sweater’, they have regained popularity due to their timeless appearance.
Cardigans can be worn over a formal shirt or layered under a sports coat to suit men of all ages. Because of its thin design, a cardigan is best worn with a shirt and tie. The shirt collar and extra layer from the tie will add bulk to your upper body, resulting in a more balanced overall appearance. It also looks good with a bolo tie tied over the collar of a polo shirt and jeans hitched high on the torso.
Hence, cardigans can give you a variety of looks from casual and sportswear to business-casual attire.
2. Sweater Vests
Sweater Vests look best when paired with a suit or sports jacket and an unusual pair of trousers, and they don’t have to match the outfit; rather, they should complement the trousers and/or jacket. With slacks or premium denim and a dress shirt, an athletic build man confident in his own particular style can achieve a more streamlined look by reducing the contrast between the shirt and the pants.
Sweater vests are ideal for sportswear circumstances where a dash of style may go a long way. Sweater vests are also a fantastic option for milder weather when a full sweater would be too warm.
3. Crew Neck Sweaters
A Crew Neck is a pullover sweater with a rounded, close-fitting neck, named after the fisherman who first wore it. They are now the most often used sweater style. It can be worn with a collared shirt underneath, however, there may be insufficient space for a tie, unlike in V-neck Sweater.
The crew neck sweater is the most prominent of all sweater types in terms of what it displays of the apparel below which is next to nothing. The benefit is that it doesn’t matter what you wear below as long as it can’t be seen. Until you need to take the sweater off. The sweater’s button-down collar is a natural complement once again. Because this is the most popular style on the market, you should pay close attention to the fabric type to guarantee the sweater functions as expected.
You can simply layer it over a t-shirt and jeans, or wear it with chinos or pants for a more business-casual look.
4. V-Neck Sweaters
The V-Neck Sweater is similar to a Crew Neck Sweater, but with a V-shaped neckline. As a result, it’s great for workwear, as it may be paired with a collared shirt and a tie or an ascot.
The sweater’s V-shape allows the shirt below to peek out, giving it a less clingy appearance. Because V-neck sweaters allow you to accessorize your outfit more freely. You might wish to include items like that bold novelty tie you’ve been dying to wear. You could also add more textural variety by wearing a knitted tie as it’s a great way to incorporate seasonal pieces into your outfit.
5. Turtle Neck Sweaters
A tall collar folded over on itself is the classic turtleneck style. The collar normally ends at the lips or cheeks when unfolded, but when doubled over, it forms broadband around the neck. Turtlenecks keep you warm and are a great dressed-down alternative to the traditional pointed turndown collar found on formal shirts.
They tend to be among the thinner knit sweaters since the doubling over adds heft, making them great layering garments.
Every handsome gentleman’s wardrobe should have a darker-colored, well-fitted turtleneck. This elegant sweater will make any gentleman look thinner, taller, and more stylish when worn with chinos or darker denim. For a more polished look, pair it with a suit or a leather jacket.
6. Roll Neck Sweaters
A roll neck is simply a baggier turtleneck: it has the same elongated neck except that would cover part of the face if the neck were stretched all the way up. But it has a wider opening and a looser knit, allowing for a baggy roll around the lower neck.
The thickness of the neck (and thus the roll) can also vary, from tiny small collars to enormous bulky cruller-looking things. A thin roll neck with a large opening is a terrific appearance for most men. Well, it’s comfortable, easy to layer, and forgiving of widebodies and faces.
Same as turtlenecks, you can pair them up with chinos or dark denim.
7. Shawl Neck Sweaters
Military or ‘Infantry’ sweaters provided to American GIs are the forerunners of today’s shawl neck sweaters. It has a V-neck with a rolled neck that may be crossed or uncrossed; some variants have 1-3 buttons or toggles that can be practical or decorative. A version of the cardigan, the Shawl Collar Sweater gives you a more formal and elegant style.
For the finest look, pair your shawl collar sweater with a tie, with knit ties being the greatest match due to their textural similarity and weight. This garment is equally at home with jeans and boots as it is with a button-up shirt and pants.
8. Cable-Knit Sweaters
Cable Knit is a traditional pattern that resembles a two-stranded rope and is often available in solid colors. Cable-knit looks well in cold winter settings, from apple orchards and pumpkin patches to bar-side fireplaces. Whether you choose braids, lattices, or the tree of life, the history of the knit can warm your heart as the sweater, and well, warms your body.
The Knit’s characteristic cable pattern adds texture to an ensemble while also giving it a rugged and comfortable vibe. While this sweater is perfect for informal occasions, it can be dressed up with a blazer.
9. Half-zip & Full-zip Sweaters
The half-zip is sporty, uncomplicated, and easy to tighten for warmth in windy conditions. It can be worn with a collared shirt underneath if it is opened up.
Full-Zip is the most active-wear, outdoorsy style. It’s practical and useful for sweaters that will be worn as a top layer or a layer beneath a winter coat frequently, but it’s not very dressy and doesn’t go with sports or suit coats.
A sweater, like any other garment worth wearing, should be well-fitting. Sweaters are difficult to adjust due to their knit construction, so finding a good fit off the rack is crucial.
Here’s how each component of your sweater should be arranged.
- The hem of your sweater should either overlap or fall just below your waistband (at a minimum). It’s either too short or too long if you can see your shirt poking out from underneath it or if your sweater bunches up when you sit.
- The shoulder seam should meet the top of your shoulder bone exactly where it finishes.
- If you’re wearing it alone, the sleeves should end at the base of your thumb, or a 1/2 inch before if you’re wearing it with a shirt below.
- If it rolls or billows at the hem, it’s too big, and if the seams of your shirt show through, it’s too tight.
Finally, here are some sweater care tips you must follow to increase the durability of the sweater.
- Instead of hanging your sweaters on a closet hanger, fold them nicely.
- Pay special attention to the washing instructions on labels, and don’t wash too frequently.
- Also, if you see a stray thread, don’t pull it or clip it. That might help to untangle that section of the sweater. Rather, try to loosen the thread by pulling it through the back of the sweater.
- Getting a sweater shaver, washing sweaters inside out, or adopting a gentler laundry detergent will also help sweaters that are pilling, buildup of fuzz might appear better.
