I like crewnecks -- I have an LL Bean shetland and an LE Shorewood in cotton. My school isn't reliably heated, so they're good to have around. It was about 55 degrees in the darkroom yesterday, and I expect my science lecture to be at about 60. I dunno if there are lightweight trad sweaters -- the cotton crewneck would work, since I think thicker sweaters are a little nice, but even that might be too warm. I also wouldn't recommend the Shorewood. It's not that great, and if you can afford better than you should go for it.

 

I suggest doing a search in the trad forum for:

- Shetland
- Aran / Fisherman
- Norwegian
- Fairisle

Do a little bit of reading and see which style appeals to you. You'll get much more specific information if you narrow the field down a little bit.

 

That's a big topic to start from scratch. They're worn for wamth. They're worn for looks. Most are made of wool - lambswool, shetland, cashmere, pincipally. Others are made of cotton. It sounds like you're not in need of warmth, so avoid heavy sweaters. Cotton is less warm, thin cashmere and lambswool, one or two ply, are probably more suitable for you. V neck, crew neck, or cardigan, with or without sleeves, according to your preferences. Sleeveless sweater vests work well under a coat. Sweaters are knitted, by hand or power loom, so they are stretchy and comfortable. Pick a color you like, and since you don't have any, a color that goes well with many of the garments you wear them with. Don't machine wash: dry clean, or hand wash in cool water, and spread them on a towel to dry, in the shape you want them to reassume. There are many many makers and sellers, and you generally get what you pay for, though a high quality sweater, only lightly used, can be had for a small fraction of the new price. If you do that, make sure that they are free of snags and moth holes: moths love wool sweaters. The best sweaters are often made in Scotland, but there are many many fine American made ones, too. Wear them over a shirt. Keep it simple when you are starting out: v or crew neck, to taste. Warning: they can become addictive.

 

You could probably live your entire life in New Orleans and never need or wear a sweater. Wouldn't a simple crew neck or V-neck lambswool sweater, which has a relatively thin weight and smoother knap, that can be worn with jeans or with a sport jacket or blazer, or just with a shirt, be the most versatile type sweater for you? A solid color like Navy or dark red, unless you want a canary yellow LSU or whatever Tulane's colors are.

 

You could probably live your entire life in New Orleans and never need or wear a sweater. Wouldn't a simple crew neck or V-neck lambswool sweater, which has a relatively thin weight and smoother knap, that can be worn with jeans or with a sport jacket or blazer, or just with a shirt, be the most versatile type sweater for you? A solid color like Navy or dark red, unless you want a canary yellow LSU or whatever Tulane's colors are.

I have lived my life in New Orleans thus far without ever needing a sweater, so this is exactly the kind of advice I was hoping for. I think I'd prefer the crew neck (These guy wear it so well...) and A sweater in Purple or Gold would "compliment" the rest of my closet (read: blend into the myriad of other purple or gold garments I own).

Now, when would it be appropriate to wear this? Also, what would be my best options for purchasing one (the internet I imagine would be better than local stores).

P.S. Tulane's colors are Olive and Columbia Blue (a hideous combination).

 

I will defer to the more venerable posters for the where-to-buy and when/where-to-wear, because up north, we have 'sweater weather' that answers the second question. I wear them on weekends with everything except pajamas, to informal social gatherings, with or without bowtie or jacket, and on the dreaded 'Casual Friday' at work, usually under a sport coat, tweed or othewise.

I share your regret over the Tulane color combination.

 

I love sweaters, they are the very foundation of my wardrobe. Shetlands, cardigans, zip cardigans, crewnecks, V-necks, rag wool, cotton, blends the list goes on. Some are trad and others sadly are not.

I love Bean, Brooks Brothers and Barbour right now. I just bought a nice Bean lambswool cardigan and it is my current BSF. In NOLA you may want cotton.

 

You know, I got pretty cold in New Orleans, sometimes. (Yeah, I'm one of those people who's always cold.) So, with regard to your question about when to wear them--whenever it's cold enough. Places like New Orleans (or many other warm areas) tend not to emphasize so-called "rules" about clothing as much, so I doubt anyone will bat an eye at you wearing a sweater whenever.

As for shopping places, I'd try Perlis, and there's a Brooks Brothers in the mall down by the Quarter. If you want a really high-end place, there's a men's store on the first floor of this office building on St. Charles...I forget its name, but it's quite pricey (and not necessarily Trad). Very nice stuff, though.

 

You know, I got pretty cold in New Orleans, sometimes. (Yeah, I'm one of those people who's always cold.) So, with regard to your question about when to wear them--whenever it's cold enough. Places like New Orleans (or many other warm areas) tend not to emphasize so-called "rules" about clothing as much, so I doubt anyone will bat an eye at you wearing a sweater whenever.

As for shopping places, I'd try Perlis, and there's a Brooks Brothers in the mall down by the Quarter. If you want a really high-end place, there's a men's store on the first floor of this office building on St. Charles...I forget its name, but it's quite pricey (and not necessarily Trad). Very nice stuff, though.

It does get cold, but no for long enough for me to have learned the rules (plus, in those cold months, I'm usually in some sort of uniform - White Tie and Tails or krewe provided costume for a Carnival Ball, heavy, water-resistant parka for standing out for parades, etc.). Furthermore, I don't think I've seen any place that requires strict adherence to the dress code as New Orleans.

I'm in Perlis about once a month, and I've never had anyone there try to sell me a sweater, and I don't even think I could tell you where they'd be, but I'll ask next time I'm in. The men's store you are trying to think of is George Bass - I can not afford to shop there (save for buying Alden shoes).

 

It does get cold, but no for long enough for me to have learned the rules (plus, in those cold months, I'm usually in some sort of uniform - White Tie and Tails or krewe provided costume for a Carnival Ball, heavy, water-resistant parka for standing out for parades, etc.). Furthermore, I don't think I've seen any place that requires strict adherence to the dress code as New Orleans.

I'm in Perlis about once a month, and I've never had anyone there try to sell me a sweater, and I don't even think I could tell you where they'd be, but I'll ask next time I'm in. The men's store you are trying to think of is George Bass - I can not afford to shop there (save for buying Alden shoes).

Yes! George Bass--that's the one. Prices there are easily in the "Holy crap!" range, but they have nice stuff. Oh, and there's a really good tailor upstairs named Manuel Seoane (his shop is called Tailors International).

 

Yes! George Bass--that's the one. Prices there are easily in the "Holy crap!" range, but they have nice stuff. Oh, and there's a really good tailor upstairs named Manuel Seoane (his shop is called Tailors International).

I'll need to check out Tailors International. Thanks for the tip.

 

Oh wow. This is the type of thread that makes me happy. I wait all year for cold days, the right kind of sleepy dreary chilly wet days when I can wear my sweaters; it's kind of ridiculous how much I enjoy it.

I don't like cotton sweaters as a rule, although I own quite a few, but as people have said they might suit you well in a southern climate.

Silk or linen sweaters, although less common are also much lighter weight. Ralph Lauren usually makes a few modestly priced 100% silk sweaters each season, and I have picked some up for $10 on eBay.

Crew necks are the best for casual or under a sport coat, unless you want to wear a collared shirt, and then v-neck is the way to go. I personally don't believe in wearing button downs underneath crew necks, although it seems common enough.

As a stand alone piece, collared sweaters with 2 or 3 buttons on the front are my favourite. I own several merino wool, and a few cashmere, although the latter is probably too warm for you even in single ply. My favorite sweaters as a rule are my Paul & Shark collared sweaters, although I'm not particularly fond of much of their overdone labelled gear. They do make many more subdued pieces if you search for them.

These aren't exactly fashion pieces, but companies such as Ibex and Icebreaker specialize in high-end performance merino wool gear that are appealing in a sporting way. These sweaters and other garments are woven in varied and labelled textile weights so that you can gauge what you are buying more accurately, and the weaves are quite tight for durability, and they perform well in terms of natural temperature regulation (which merino wool is the best at in my opinion.)

Icebreaker gear:

https://ca.icebreaker.com/Legion-Lo...00146G90S,default,pd.html?start=21&cgid=mens&prefn1=productType&prefv1=Sweaters

Ibex gear:

https://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Mens-Sweaters/Smuggler-Sweater