ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CASHMERE

Do you need a fun way to say adieu to summer 2022? Then get a sweater for the occasion when the cold weather gets rolling. And who doesn’t love the sweater anyways? And for an outfit, that’s so wonderfully classic, the variations are simply infinite. The oversized and chunky turtleneck hooded—is all there for the day. But nothing can come even closer to cashmere, a stunner of a fabric, when the weather gets bitingly cold.  This blog will cover why the cashmere pieces are quintessential for any closet, and why you need them anytime.

First and foremost, if you think comfort, versatility and quality are the major elements of the ideal sweater, then any cashmere-blended knit will emerge a winner.

How does it stand out?
I always feel that a sweater that will disintegrate, deform or lose shape within a season is not worth the money and time from a buying perspective. If your objective is to see your sweater outlast use going through season after season, then the cashmere sweater stands out. If you take proper care of it, it will even outlast us all. But let’s remember that the benefits to owning this timeless outfit in your wardrobe go beyond its durability.

Superior quality cashmere can be three times warmer compared to sheep’s wool, but in terms of weight it’s much lighter. The presence of amino acids and its moisture content ensure that whilst it is insulating during the cold weather, it would also maintain the cool temperature when the days are balmy and warmer. With this luxurious knit covered around the body, you will still enjoy the benefits of its breathable nature. This invariably makes it a favorite wear under trans-seasonal conditions or unpredictable climes.  All organic, it is convenient to dye, and the yarn alone can be spun in several ways—this is the reason why the everyday range of cashmere sweater beats the rest. It drapes exceedingly well; therefore, it is very flattering on the body.

What is the differentiating factor?          
The wool itself is derived from the soft undercoat of goats reared below sub-zero temperature, which is what provides them with the supremely thick, fuzzy fleece. A point to note here is that these soft fibers are shed every spring, and requires to be disintegrated from the coarser top coat of the goat. This generally involves manual combing and sorting. Only approximately 0.33 percent of the equivalent volume of sheep’s wool made globally per year is produced in cashmere wool—and that’s about 6,500 tonnes contrasted to 2 million.  This explains why the cashmere is considered the best of luxury wool fabrics!

Styling options
Sweaters that feature slimmer feat is said to offer more styling options compared to the loose, oversized or chunky ones, but that doesn’t necessarily indicate their distinctive benefits. I feel that the cashmere is a more fitted sweater type, in addition to its uniquely luxurious feel. A more fitted sweater is appropriate for dressier and casual occasions—it looks as splendidly good teamed up with tailored trousers as it clinically does with a pair of jeans.

MEN AND OVERCOATS—THE ETERNAL BONDING!

For all the smart-casual events that may emanate especially during the winter season, it is not easy to knock down a classic men’s overcoat. Extremely versatile and insulating and an easy way to attract a few eyeballs, the outerwear plays a key role in molding the style quotient of men, while being more than a useful addition in the wardrobe at the same time. 

Wool may not be waterproof, but it is water resistant and can hold close to 20 percent of its weight in water before getting wet or heavy. Besides, no fabric can feel as warm as wool as it constitutes fine fibers that capture air which can be transmitted to the body. And there is the overcoat’s simple, fashionably evergreen cut making it an ideal option for the Christmas party (I know it’s still a few months away) as you can easily wear it over a hoodie anytime.

Wool-Overcoat

Before continuing further, I find there is a great sense of confusion between a topcoat, a greatcoat and an overcoat. Many struggle to understand their distinctions. Let me put it straight for you. 

# An overcoat is a long coat that is designed to be worn as the outermost attire. The length is usually below the knee. 

# A topcoat is lightweight compared to the other two. For e.g. the trench coat fits into this category.

# A greatcoat, also called as a watch coat, is bulky, heavy overcoat that was first used in the military before it became a fashion statement.

If you pick a good overcoat, it can go well with a suit easily, and craft an instantaneously smarter look and appeal. But the question here is what is a good overcoat? What are the selection criteria?  Below are some of the questions that you may need to answer before shopping or picking a tailored overcoat for you.
1. What is the length of the overcoat?
2. What is the choice of the right fabric?
3. Are you picking the right weight to suit the clime?
4. Does the overcoat have a decent fitting?
5. Is the sleeve length of the overcoat given due consideration?
6. What is your investment? State the maximum and minimum bracket for a quality overcoat.
7. Is it going to be a single-breasted or double-breasted construction?
8. What exactly is the color of your choice? Supposing if black, why do you prefer so?
9. Do you mix overcoat and outfits? They rarely mix together!
10. What are the accessories that suit your overcoat ensemble? And so on…

Although answering all these questions may not be always necessary, considering them will add more zing to your overall style look when you dress up the overcoat.

TUXEDOS VERSUS SUITS FOR WEDDING

Whether the situation demands wearing a suit or tuxedo, the overall objective is to effuse a powerful look. Now this can get a lot trickier if you’re the man on your big day, or maybe even a groomsman or guest. The million dollar question: should you wear a suit or tuxedo? The answer is not that simple. Let me get things straight for you as I explain the various aspects that distinguish the two distinct styles, how to decide the most appropriate style, and several accessories worth considering for a complete look. And yes, watch out for the details that make the differences between a suit and tuxedo including satin lapels & details, shirt style, ways to accessorize, and finally shoes.

Dress Code
When things are not clear, I rather you follow the rules. Take the event into consideration when deliberating what to wear. The invitation should give you a hint or so on the required dress code. What about Black-tie and formal weddings? A dark suit or tuxedo is recommended. If it is a dress-casual or semi-formal event? A suit is the best choice.

Time of Wedding
This is another important factor: night or day? Suit or Tux? A tux, as you may know, is a regular in the evening. During the day, a suit should strike the right chord. This said if the festivities extend into the evening hours, you can select whichever is preferable.

Flexibility
Wondering which is more flexible—a tux or suit—going beyond the wedding norm? A suit wins hands down here because you can either dress it up or down. You can also afford to enhance the style quotient of your suit by adding a pocket square or fun tie as accessories at the workplace or any exclusive event. At the same time, the tuxedo jacket can be paired with T-shirts and jeans for a strikingly semi-casual or casual look.

Are you true to your style? 

Weddings are moments to treasure and cherish in anybody’s life, and therefore men would want to appear extra dapper on a momentous day. As I mentioned earlier, for some, a tuxedo is super-perfect. For others, all that is required to craft a great look is a smart suit. The only factor that counts here of course, whether you’re part of the wedding party or getting married along the way, is that you enjoy what you are wearing. As simple as that. It is common sense to indulge in a bit of grooming—think cologne, shaving essentials and hair and body care products.

WAYS TO WEAR MONOCHROME

Before dealing with how to wear a monochromatic outfit, let’s explore a bit what they are. The word ‘Monochrome’ is a combination of two words: mono means single and chromatic means hue or color. Put it together and what you get is single color outfit, literally.  But that doesn’t mean you need to wear the same color head to tone. You can mix different tints and shades of the equivalent color family, technically referred to as a tone on tone outfit, though the two are interchangeable.

We know that the most simplistic outfit combos can often result in making a strong statement. Sometimes, what you require is a simple effort crafted effortlessly and integrated. Mixing in a range of textures and fabrications can generate enthusiasm and add features to your ensemble. Are you trying to go for a monochromatic style? Remember these more than handy tips.

Monochrome

Monochrome Attire for Men: Understandably, fit gains predominance over others, but choosing the color will go a long way in crafting your fashion statement too. Complementing different colors can be really daunting, but it is the most fundamental aspect in order to differentiate your outfit from the crowd. 

As I mentioned earlier in the blog, monochrome is “one color”. You can sport a “monochromatic outfit” by wearing outfits of the same color, or equivalent shades leastwise. You can produce some eye-grabbing attire by selecting hues such as grey, white and black from your closet.

Select a tertiary color from which you can produce your entire palette of colors. It can emanate from shades (base color + white), tones (base color + grey) or tints (base color + white). You can also make use of online tools such as Adobe color wheel to create your own color palette by considering saturation, hue and lightness. Take a print out of it as a sample reference for use when you go out for shopping.

Go for darker shades on areas that you need to hide, and lighter hues on areas you want to highlight or accentuate. In addition to these, the lighter item should be moved on top, while pushing the darker items to the bottom.

Don’t do too much by pressing yourself to go single color—chances are you may just look out of sorts. For example, if you’re sporting a navy blue top, why not try to add some twist by teaming it up with dark blue pants or something with a feel of a discrete color (blue featuring black stripes)? As for shoes, go for brown loafers or black shoes as they are an excellent way to add elegance to monochromatic attire without appearing overdressed or stuffy. Remember your choice of color should be based on your skin undertone. We all have a fundamental understanding of what color appears strikingly great on them. Therefore, if you want to play the game safe, go for these, instead of trying out novel ones.

WHAT IS A GOOD TIME TO DITCH YOUR SUMMER JACKET?

When the temperature is rising (as expected!), taking off your summer jacket is a respite for sure. And what a sigh of relief it is for most! The summers anyway aren’t bound by strict and fastidious rules. Though it’s a good thing to be in complete control of your wardrobe, the summer is all about uncertainties, especially if the environment you’re in is highly formal; therefore, it can be tough to understand when it is ok to flex the tailoring rules.

At the office:
Are you gonna ditch your jacket in the office? Are you serious? Just cut the crap, man—not even when the mercury level is unbearably high and you’re uncomfortable wearing your full shirt, not to mention counterproductive. Shirt sleeves are also not welcome, particularly in offices where traditional outfit is the order of the day.

WHAT IS A GOOD TIME TO DITCH YOUR SUMMER JACKET?
It’s always better to check with the senior members of the team if you need to take off the jackets, though you may feel it is the right thing to do. Don’t be tempted to take off your jacket if you’re feeling uncomfortable. You can remove your jacket at your own desk, but ought to put it on again to attend a client meet or huddle with the team to update the project’s progress.

At a wedding
Whether you want to ditch your jacket at a wedding or not depends upon how formal the wedding is. The extra-cautious wise ones (and so they are called) always take the safer side and keep their jacket on during the event. So, what is considered acceptable in case you need to remove your jacket? I recommend removing your coat after the ceremony is over, and all the formal photo snaps have been taken. Okay. Now say cheese!

What about at the funeral?
Removing your jacket at the funeral can be very tricky. Even when the heat literally becomes excruciating, most gentlemen will ensure they stay put with their jacket on during a funeral service as a mark of reverence. Again, depending on the formality and location of the proceedings, it is always advisable to take off your jacket at the reception. Again, it is recommended to look to the more senior members of the family to check what is really considered acceptable. So, what next? If you’re looking on how you can manage the summer in tailoring, you can talk to me for guidance.