A cardigan sweater is a type of sweater that has an open front and is usually waist-length or hip-length. Mens cardigans sweaters are typically made out of wool, cotton, acrylic, or a blend of these fabrics. These days, synthetic fibres are also used to make cardigan sweaters.
They can also be made out of other materials such as cashmere, angora (a fabric made from the hair of a rabbit or an angora goat), or even silk. So, what are the best materials for cardigan sweaters?
Cashmere
When it comes to men's cardigan sweaters, cashmere is often considered the best material. Cashmere is made from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats and is known for its incredible softness and warmth. It's also a fairly durable material, making it a good choice for a cardigan sweater that you'll want to wear for many years.
The cashmere material offers unparalleled warmth to the cardigan garment and an incredibly lightweight feel. With all these remarkable properties, cashmere is oftentimes combined with another high-quality textile to increase the innate textile fibre property of any hides it is combined with.
Wool
Wool is often lauded as another best material for sweaters, and for good reason. It’s warm, it’s durable, and it’s naturally moisture-resistant, making it ideal for chilly days or active wear. Wool also has a bit of give to it, so it’s less likely to feel constricting or uncomfortable when you move around.
This fibre is perfect for comfort, style and function. Wool lasts long and its fibres are structurally high-quality when magnified under a microscope.
One type of wool which is the Merino sheep’s wool is known for being hydrophilic. This means that this type of textile has a special affinity with water. Such property makes the wool a great choice to weatherproof yourself during winter.
Another wool type is the alpaca. This is usually found in the Andes mountains in South America. Alpaca fibres are soft and remarkably warm making it the best ingredient for making cashmere sweaters.
Cotton Sweaters
When it comes to men's cardigan sweaters, there are a variety of different materials that can be used. Cotton is often seen as one of the best materials to use. Cotton sweaters are typically very soft and comfortable, which makes them great for everyday wear. Additionally, they are often easy to care for and wrinkle-resistant, which makes them ideal for travel or busy lifestyles.
The best thing about cotton is that it can be combined with other fibres which makes the resulting material with the added comfort of cotton and the strength and warmth of, say, wool or cashmere.
In addition, the addition of cotton in a cardigan sweater material means that they are easy to maintain, easy to wash and last a long time.
Synthetic Materials
Sweaters often contain synthetic materials, which are petroleum or chemical-based. This makes them less natural and sustainable than natural and sustainable ones. But synthetic fibres may have their place in cardigan sweaters too. For example, acrylic is great for making warm and strong clothes like athletic wear and men’s sweatpants.
And because they are synthetic, manufacturers of such textiles can produce more of such fabricated textiles without the need for natural supplies such as animal hides. Synthetic fibres are not becoming more and more eco-friendly as manufacturers discover more how to replicate natural fibres with the use of common chemical compounds used for manufacturing many of the goods we enjoy today.
In summary, there are a variety of materials that can be used to make cardigan sweaters, but some are better than others. While materials such as acrylic and polyester, as they tend to be less breathable and can cause you to sweat more, mixing them with other materials found in nature or manufactured synthetically make cardigans made from these materials comfier.
Cardigan sweaters made from natural fibres like cotton or wool will help you stay comfortable throughout the day albeit a little expensive.