Sweater Vests: A Buying Guide
Sweater vests are a great way to add an extra layer of warmth to your outfit without dealing with the bulk of a full sweater. They come in a variety of colors, patterns, and materials, so finding the one that fits your personal style can be tricky. Here is a guide to help you choose the perfect sweater vest for you.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Sweater Vest
Material
The first thing you should consider when purchasing a sweater vest is the material. Sweater vests are made from a variety of materials, including natural fibers like wool, and synthetic materials like polyester.
Each material offers a different intensity of warmth and durability. Most natural fiber knits offer more warmth, but are challenging to care for. On the other hand, cotton and synthetic blends are easier to maintain, but don’t offer sufficient warmth.
Style
The next thing you need to consider is the style of the sweater vest. There are many different styles to choose from, such as V-neck, crew neck, button-down, zip-up, and turtleneck. V-neck sweater vests are the most popular style, as they flatter all body types.
Crew neck sweater vests, on the other hand, are also popular, but are not as flattering on people with larger busts. For everyday wear and casual looks, button-down and zip-up sweater vests are preferred. Typically, turtlenecks are the most formal style and are worn on special occasions.
Pattern
Sweater vests come in a variety of patterns, such as solid colors, stripes, and plaids. If you want a more formal look, you should stick with a solid color. But if you want a more casual look, you can choose a sweater vest with stripes or plaids.
Size
You can easily find sweater vests in sizes XS-XXL. However, some brands also offer plus-size and petite options. Make sure you have your correct measurements before buying a sweater to avoid getting the wrong size.
Color
Sweater vests come in a wide range of colors, so you can easily find one that matches your existing wardrobe. The most popular colors are black, white, gray, and navy. You can also find sweater vests in brighter colors, such as red, pink, and purple.
What Materials Are Sweater Vests Made From?
Wool
Wool sweater vests are the most expensive option, but they are also the warmest and most durable. Pure wool comes from sheep and provides a high insulation level to retain heat. There are different grades of wool, with merino wool being one of the top choices in terms of quality.
Cashmere
Cashmere sweater vests are made from the finest material, with hair extracted from goats in the Gobi desert. This material is the softest and most luxurious option available in sweaters. However, these sweaters are also the most expensive. Since cashmere is not as warm as pure wool, it is often blended with wool to produce warm and incredibly soft sweater vests.
Cotton blend
Cotton blend sweater vests are a fine middle ground between wool and cotton. They are not as expensive as wool, but they are warmer than cotton. They're easy to wash and maintain and don’t get damaged quickly.
Alpaca fiber
Alpaca fiber is largely produced in South America. It is similar to wool, but softer and warmer. Alpaca sweater vests are more expensive than wool or cotton vests because they either originate in South America or are specially made. Due to their rarity, they are relatively costly.
Polyester
Polyester sweater vests are the cheapest option, but they are not as warm or durable as the other options. If you want warmth, you should get a heavy and bulky polyester sweater, but even then, it is no match to wool or cashmere.
How to Measure Size
Chest size
The chest size is the most crucial measurement for sweater vests. To find your chest size, measure around the fullest part of your chest. You want to make sure the sweater hugs your physique but does not suffocate you.
Overall sweater length
The overall sweater length is the distance from the top of the shoulder to the bottom hem. You can measure an old sweater by placing it on a flat surface to get its length, or get someone to measure it for you from the back of your collar to your waist.
Sleeve length
The sleeve length is the distance from the top of the shoulder to your wrist bone. While you can measure it yourself, it is better to ask someone else to get an accurate measurement.
Note: Most natural fiber knits tend to shrink after washing. Some may shrink immediately, while others take multiple wash cycles.
Other Considerations
No sleeve bulk
Fall fashion and layering go hand in hand. So, a full sweater isn’t a practical option because your arms look bulky when you wear a jacket over a full sweater. Besides looking unflattering, your arms also become difficult to move.
Sweater vests are the perfect clothing item to feel warm without lugging around the weight of a full sweater. These are the perfect garment to keep you cozy without suffocating you.
Fashion with professionalism
Sweater vests have a fashionable aesthetic while maintaining professional candor. They come in a variety of colors, styles, and materials, so you can easily find one that fits a particular style and occasion. You can turn a bland look into a chic office outfit with the help of a sweater vest.
Layer it up
Sweater vests are great for layering. You can wear them over a shirt or under a jacket without feeling too hot or too cold, the perfect fall outfit. Although they serve as a layering accessory, that doesn’t mean they cannot stand on their own. You can wear a vest with a pair of jeans or a pencil skirt and rock a standalone look.
