Cover credit: Massimo Dutti S/S 2015 lookbook
For this summer, I am offering you a series of eight articles in which I will discuss:
- On the one hand, four pieces that many men wear instinctively, without asking too many questions, but whose stylistic interest is not as strong as one might think.
- On the other hand, four pieces that few men wear but which have a lot of style and are not so difficult to make your own.
In any case, my goal will be to help you go a little further in terms of style.
See other episodes:
The cotton sweater is a tempting idea.
You can find them everywhere, at all prices.
It can be more or less warm depending on its thickness level.
And as you probably know, cotton is a natural, breathable and fairly easy-care material.
What could one possibly blame him for?
This Woolrich cotton sweater is very pretty, I don't see any problem.
Thermal interest
The sweater, as a second layer has a stronger thermal vocation than the t-shirt (first layer).
So let’s get back to the properties of cotton:
- It is indeed more interesting than a standard synthetic. : less stifling, it retains fewer odors. Its thermal properties are correct.
- However, it is also a material that is thermally less efficient than its counterparts, linen of course. but also wool or silk .
Stylistic interest
1. The entry-level cotton sweater
You can find it for €20, €30, €40 in all the spring/summer collections of entry-level brands.
These sweaters are often a little dull visually: they lack punch, relief, life. To the touch, they are also rather rough: in this price range, high-quality cotton fibers are not used.
Ultimately, this type of product has limited thermal and stylistic interest.
It's not very ugly. It's just... rather ordinary. Devred cotton sweater
2. Mid-range or high-end cotton sweater
It is logically more expensive but has the advantage of having a more sophisticated aesthetic.
But every time I see a successful cotton sweater, I can't help but say to myself "this sweater is pretty... but it would be even better in another material".
In the choice of color, the knitting stitch, the absence of ribbing on the bust... this Folk cotton sweater has a little something extra.
3. The case of the sweatshirt
I put the sweatshirt aside because it is stylistically more differentiated, more assertive than the simple cotton sweater. It can be the basis of many outfits, as Jordan showed in the very first episode of Panache .
The sweatshirt is an iconic garment, with a history, a universe of its own, as Jordan recounted in VIRAL .
The stylistic interest of the sweatshirt is present in the nature of the garment as such.
A beautiful gray sweatshirt , made in Canada, from the young brand Blank Expression.
The alternatives
As mentioned, for a sweater, it is better to turn to more efficient materials and also often visually richer, more shimmering than cotton:
1. Linen
Since this item is coming out in summer, the linen sweater is very appropriate.
It keeps you a little warm when needed but not too much. It gives a cool feeling and dries quickly.
When we talk about the linen sweater, I obviously think of Inis Meain :
It's beautiful , it's light, it's breathable. Discover here our visit to the island of Inis Meain where the brand's sweaters are made.
For those interested, I also came across this 88% linen sweater at a very good price. on Yoox .
2. Cotton/linen blend
A little easier to find than the 100% linen sweater, the cotton and linen blend sweater.
In this case, the correct properties of cotton are enhanced by the addition of linen. which adds freshness and visual roughness.
56% linen, 44% cotton for this Hartford sweater . Although the sweater is thin, we can see a slight slub that is noticeable on the material.
3. Merino wool
Merino wool has some pretty amazing thermal properties.
It is obviously a suitable material for autumn/winter because wool is more insulating and thermoregulating than cotton, but it can also be a suitable material when the thermometer rises. .
100% wool sweater called "Ice wool" From Future. I haven't been able to test it but I imagine it must be a light and airy wool.
4. Other mixtures
Also available are some sweaters with three or four mixed materials. , which results in sweaters that are visually rich and pleasant to the touch.
You will find a little silk, a luminous and silky material, on some sweaters. On the other hand, it is rare to find men's sweaters made of 100% silk: the very fluid and slightly transparent rendering will seem a little too feminine for the majority of men.
Massimo Dutti offers some sweaters with interesting material mixes, among many other fairly ordinary knits:
68% cotton, 28% silk and 4% cashmere on this sweater .
I also think of our linen, wool, silk and cashmere sweater :
Try this sweater if you get the chance, the touch and feel are quite unique.
5. Lyocell and its derivatives (tencel)
Although we still see them rarely, these are materials that are starting to appear on shirts, sweaters and pants, 100% or in blends: I'm talking about artificial materials like lyocell or one of its derivatives, tencel.
These are still misunderstood materials. I advise you to read our little guide to artificial materials to better understand them , know their qualities and their faults.
They are not systematically to be avoided , in any case.
These are fairly cool materials, probably a bit cooler than cotton, weight for weight.
I haven't seen a 100% tencel or lyocell sweater yet, but in blends of 10 to 50%.
Its use can skillfully replace or complement cotton.
NN07 sweatshirt with a rather light weight, 57% cotton and 43% tencel.
60% linen, 28% cotton and 12% tencel for this very pretty sweater .
To remember
- The thermal properties of cotton on a sweater are correct: we can find pretty sweaters in cotton. But we can do better with other materials that perform better and have a better aesthetic result: linen, wool, silk, etc.
- If you want to wear a cotton sweater: opt for a sweatshirt instead, which is made of cotton and has a slightly more assertive character.
- I talked about sweaters here, but the same reflection can be made about cardigans.
