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With this weather, better the sweater


The trick to wearing a sweater without looking like it gobbled you up lies in the fabric and fit you choose.

There’s a range of fabrics to choose from so here’s what you should know. Cashmere sweaters are at the top of the sweater food-chain.

Perfect in every way, except for one: they cost a pretty penny! Cashmere sweaters are light and very warm.

When you are ready to buy one, consider it an investment, and opt for a classic cut. It will serve you well for long if properly cared for.

Cotton sweaters lose warmth faster than cashmere but they do not need a small loan to purchase, and they don’t irritate skin.

Wool is the traditional fabric for sweaters, and with its track record of heat retention, is best suited for icy cold temperatures. But wool is very high maintenance. It is easily damaged and likely to lose shape if soaked in water, or hung on a line to drip dry.

Synthetic fabrics mimic wool and cotton and cost far less than natural fabrics. They are easier to care for, too. When buying synthetic, you can afford to go trendy as these sweaters are not built to last.

Lastly, there are sweaters made of mixed or blended fabrics. These, as their name implies, are made by combining two or more fabrics. Check the labels to know the ratios of the fabrics used.

If you want something very warm, a blend of wool and cashmere will do. If the material contains more cashmere than wool it’s likely that the sweater will be tagged as a cashmere sweater even though it also contains wool, so always check.

Make sure your sweater fits. There is nothing attractive about a baggy sweater. Sleeves must reach the wrists and the sweater should hang evenly in the front and back.