Best Woollens: Sweaters and Cardigans for Men and Women
 

Soft and comfortable, knitwear is the style of choice for cold weather. Knits are also trendy and versatile. They can be worn for a casual day out, in the office, and in some cases even in the evening.

When shopping for winter woollens, it is important to choose the garment that will stand the test of time. This overview will help you pick the right one, whether you are looking for knitwear for women or knitwear for men.

Shapes and Styles

There are basically two styles of knits... or three, if you consider the sleeveless sweaters as a separate style.

Sweater, jumper, jersey and pullover: In different parts of the English-speaking world, these terms can denote very different garments. However, on Bob Shop (and in Britain), all four refer to the same thing: a long-sleeve knitted garment without buttons that is pulled over one’s head.

Sweaters (as well as jumpers, jerseys and pullovers) are first and foremost defined by their necklines, which come in three basic styles.

Crew neck sweaters have a round opening that sits snugly at the base of the neck. The opening should not be too tight, because that can be uncomfortable... and would preclude wearing a collar shirt underneath.

V-necks are defined by the cut out V at the neckline. This style keeps you cooler and feels very comfortable. If you wear a shirt underneath, the V shape allows it to pop out. Traditionally, no more than three shirt buttons should be visible, but some modern styles come with a deeper opening.

Turtleneck or roll neck sweaters have a high collar that folds over and covers the neck. They fell out of favour at the turn of the 21st century, but have since made a comeback. Today they are considered trendy and indispensable for creating a layered effect. Just make sure the collar is not too tight. 

Sweaters can also feature necklines with short zippers or several buttons, with or without a collar.

Cardigan: Cardigans have an open front fastened by buttons or a zipper, which means that they basically function as jackets. There are two basic styles of cardigans: the lightweight, v-neck, slim fitting design and the chunkier shawl collar design.

Sweater vest: This item of knitwear is similar to a sweater, but without sleeves. This makes sweater vests ideal for adding extra warmth without the weight of a traditional sweater. The most common of neckline shapes for sweater vests are the V-neck and the crew neck. There are also sweater vests with buttons down the middle, like cardigans.

Knitwear Materials

The knitwear yarn can be made from a vast variety of materials. Here are some on the most popular.

Cashmere is the most elegant and the most expensive of all knitwear. It is soft, lightweight, warm, strong, and it looks wonderful. Cashmere wool comes from the hair of the Cashmere goat and the biggest producers of raw cashmere are China and Mongolia. A good quality cashmere garment will last for years.

Mohair is made from the hair of the Angora goat. Today, the top producers are Turkey, Argentina, the United States, and South Africa. It is characterised by high lustre, fuzziness, excellent insulating properties and durability. Like cashmere, mohair is considered a luxury fibre and is usually more expensive than most wool that is produced by sheep.

Sheep wool is commonly used in knitwear. Natural wool is very warm, breathable and it absorbs moisture. If you yearn for the softness of cashmere but cannot afford the real thing, look for lambswool or merino knits.

Lambswool comes from the first shearing of a sheep and is much softer than later shearings.

Merino wool is renowned for its softness, body temperature regulation, and sweat wicking properties. It comes from the Merino sheep commonly grown in Australia and New Zealand.

Cotton is a natural fibre, which means that it is soft and breathable. It is also comfortable and, unlike some types of sheep wool, does not irritate the skin. However, cotton is not as warm as wool.

Synthetic knitwear is much more affordable than natural materials. Synthetic knits are also easier to take care of, but they do not last as long and do not keep you as warm as wool.

Blends used in knitwear can consist of all-natural fibres or of different natural and man-made fibres. Natural knit blends include combinations such as sheep wool and cotton, or sheep wool and cashmere blend. When buying a garment made of wool and synthetic blend, ensure that it has at least 30% percent wool. Anything less will not keep you warm.

Knit Types

There are many different knit types, but all fall into one of these two basic groups: fine or chunky. Just  a glance at a knitted garment will tell you  which category it belongs to!

Fine knits have a smooth texture and a delicate appearance. They are suitable for professional environments and more formal styles.

Ribbed knits are perfect for casual wear. They are thick, warm, and luxuriously chunky, which makes them a great choice for heavy winters. Cable knit is one of the most popular in this category.

Which Knitwear to Buy

Your knitwear should include several V-neck and crew neck sweaters (make at least one of them sleeveless), plus a turtleneck and a cardigan, all in a restrained solid colour or discretely patterned. That goes for both men and women. Once you have the basics,  let your imagination run wild!

Women (more often than men) can experiment with metallic yarns, cropped styles, off-the-shoulder necklines, fur or lace collars, and so on.

Nordic pattern sweaters and very chunky cable-knits are suitable for informal occasions and skiing holidays. As for Christmas-themed sweaters... wear them if you must, but only on Christmas.

Whichever knitted garment you decide to buy, always go for the best quality you can afford. It is better to get one good knit than three mediocre knits!

How to Wear the Knitwear you Bought

Now that you have all the knitwear you need (or want), here are a few tips on how to pull off the best possible look.

• If you are wearing a shirt underneath a sweater, do not always tuck it in. Instead, let the shirt peek out.
• On extra-cold days, layer a cardigan over your turtleneck sweater.
• You can also wear a turtleneck under a shirt to get a great effect.
• If you like to pull up your sleeves (who doesn’t), choose sweaters and cardigans with relatively tight cuffs.
• Match long, loose sweaters with slim pants, leggings or (in the case of women) pencil skirts. Shorter, snug-fitting sweaters can be worn with looser high-waisted pants or wide skirts.
• Too hot? Take off the sweater, loosely tie the sleeves around your neck and let it flutter over your back and shoulders like a cape.
• Alternatively, tie your knit diagonally, with one sleeve coming over your shoulder and the other around your waist
• For more formal occasions such as the office, men should feel free to add a tie to a shirt-under-sweater combination. Either a V neck or a crew neck sweater will do, providing the opening is not too tight. Classic silk ties with simple knots will offset  the texture of the knit wonderfully.
• The sweater vests are a boon for suit-wearing men!  Thanks to this simle garment, they can retain the formal office look without freezing. Don’t shun from wearing a bold coloured vest under a suit jacket for a pop of colour.
• Women may want to consider a twin set as formal office wear. This garment is back in fashion, and the vintage aura just adds to its stylishness!

How to Care for Your Knitwear

• Wash your knits as rarely as possible and follow the manufacturer’s washing and drying recommendations to the letter. Any deviation may render your garment unwearable!
• Do not hang your sweaters and cardigans, because hanging can distort their shape. Fold them flat and store in a cool, dry place.
• Keep your woollens safe from wool moths.
• Do not cut or pull loose threads, as you might unwind part of your sweater. Just work the loose end to the back of the garment and secure it with a few stitches of cotton thread.
• Most knitwear garments pill over time, but that does not mean that you should discard them. Just go over the pills with a bobble remover to make your knits look good again. 
• Do not reject itchy woollens. Wool definitely softens with wearing and washing. In the meantime, simply plan to wear them with a shirt underneath.

Knitwear is an important staple in your wardrobe. Choose well, take good care of it and it will keep you warm and looking top notch for years!