Sweaters are the kind of clothing that can either give you a look of class and wealth, or make you look like you've been living in a cave for a couple of decades, unaware of the progressing fashion world. However, while clothing trends may change, the qualities of a good sweater do not. Here is some basic information to help you spend your money wisely when buying sweaters.
In addition to the obvious issue of size, there are three things you should pay attention to when buying sweaters, no matter what is in at the time: the style, the pattern and the fiber blend.
For both men's sweaters and women's sweaters, there are several styles that are always fashionable in some form or another: v-necks, cardigans, turtlenecks and sweater vests.
The v-neck sweater is a sleeved sweater with a v-shaped neck. Men's v-necks are usually quite small, only extending a couple of inches down toward the chest. Women's v-necks are usually deeper and wider.
Cardigans are sweaters that open down the front, like a jacket. They are usually collarless. Most have long sleeves, though many women's cardigan sweaters feature short or cap sleeves.
Turtleneck sweaters have a tube of fabric that extends up the neck. Some turtlenecks are 7 or 8 inches long. These are generally folded down around your neck. Other turtleneck sweaters only extend an inch or two. What you want might depend on how warm you want your neck to be.
Sweater vests are sleeveless. V-neck sweater vests are common, and some are even open in front like a cardigan. Most are pullovers.
What are the standard patterns for sweaters? Well, you have color patterns like argyles. You also have knit patterns like cables.
The term argyle describes a pattern of alternating diamonds in two or more colors. A classic look, some form of the argyle sweater is always in fashion.
The knit pattern also stands out on sweaters. Cable knit is a common pattern, and looks like intertwining cables. There are several variations on this. The most common cable knit pattern looks like long, alternating braids.
A cashmere sweater is the ultimate in softness and luxury. Cashmere is the wool of Kashmir goats, which are mostly raised in Asia. The fibers are quite short, usually ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.5 inches long. Several animals are needed to make just one sweater, so some cashmere sweaters are a little more expensive. Similar but slightly less expensive wools are mohair (from the Asian Angora goat) and alpaca (from the South American alpaca). The most common wool comes from sheep.
Sweaters can also be made of fabric that blends wool and synthetic fibers. Wool is soft and comfortable. It is also an excellent insulator, which makes wool sweaters nice on cold winter days. All wools and wool blends need to be dry cleaned or hand washed to stay at their best.
Cotton sweaters are soft and comfortable. They won't keep you as warm as a wool sweater, but that can be nice on those days that are only a tidbit chilly. Cotton sweaters' main benefit is ease of care. Many are machine washable, and most are at least hand washable.
In addition, silk, nylon and other fibers are often blended to give sweaters softness, a bit of elasticity, etc. Each of these fibers will affect how you care for the sweater, so pay attention to the care instructions.
How can I keep my sweaters from stretching?
Most sweaters, especially cashmere sweaters, should be folded instead of hung on a hanger. If you do hang your sweaters, make sure you use a padded hanger, as a non-padded one will create stretch marks. When folded, sweaters tend to take up quite a bit of space. If you need some more drawer space, check out the dressers in Overstock.com's furniture store.
How can I clean my sweaters?
If you think you'll have a hard time hand washing or dry cleaning, get machine washable cotton sweaters. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the tag, which will usually require hand washing. Just fill a sink or tub with water that is the appropriate temperature and some delicate laundry detergent. When you've finished gently washing the sweater, lay it flat on a towel to dry. You will probably want to swap towels or move the sweater every couple of hours, so it dries faster.
How can I make sure the clothing I buy online will fit?
Know your size before you make any purchases. To get some extra help, you can take a look at our men's sizing guide or our women's sizing guide. We help you determine your pants, shirt and suit sizes, so you can shop in confidence.
Since there is such a variety of sweaters out there, you might want to get some different weights for different seasons. Here are some ideas for fall and winter. For spring and summer, you don't even want to think about sweaters.
When the leaves start to turn, it's time to pull out the sweaters. The weather is still indecisive, however; one day is brisk, while the next day feels like summer again. You need a couple of lightweight sweaters that won't cook you while keeping warm when the temperature dips. Overstock.com has an assortment of thin, cotton sweaters in a variety of patterns and styles. A cardigan would be especially good for the fall, because you can easily take it off when the sun comes out.
A heavy wool turtleneck sweater will keep you nice and warm on those blustery winter days. Check out our selection of men's shirts and women's shirts to find cotton t-shirts you can wear underneath. These will keep your skin's oils from penetrating the sweater's fibers.
Stay warm in a cozy sweater from Overstock.com, where great fashion is only a click or two away. Here you'll find all your women's clothing and men's clothing for less.