How to Select a Brown and Red Striped Sweater

Whether you’re looking for a casual weekend look or a go-to outfit for the office, a brown and red striped sweater can help. With a range of options, including styles from top designers like Toteme and La Ligne, you can add a timeless piece to your wardrobe this season.

Getting the Fit Right

When selecting a sweater, it’s important to understand how to choose a style that flatters your body type and is comfortable. The fit should never be too tight or restricting, but should still drape nicely on your frame without bunching up around your shoulders or waist. The hem should overlap your waistband or fall just below it. The sleeves should be long enough to cover your thumbs, or a half-inch before it.

The Neckline

Depending on the neckline style you choose, there will be slightly different fit concerns. Regardless, the collar of your sweater should always sit directly on the edge of your shoulder bone so that it doesn’t drag down your arms or pull on your face throughout the day.

If you’re not sure how to find a good fit for your striped sweater, check the sizing charts at the store you’re shopping at or on the manufacturer’s website. If it’s too tight, you won’t be able to move freely and it will look sloppy. On the other hand, if it’s too loose, it will feel bulky on your chest and look ill-fitting.

Material and Quality

When choosing a sweater, make sure to focus on the quality of the fibers. High-quality materials will feel luxurious and keep you warm while maintaining a smooth texture. Low-quality materials will feel cheap and will stretch out quickly, making them less likely to last.

The most common fabrics used in sweaters are wool, cotton, and a variety of natural material blends, including cashmere, lambswool, and Sea Island cotton. You can also find sweaters made of synthetics and poly-blends, which are inexpensive and comfortable but don’t offer the same level of warmth or durability as a natural material.

You may be tempted to go for the cheaper options, but a lower-quality option can lead to pilling and other issues that will make it more difficult to wear in the future. This can happen on any garment, but it’s more likely to occur with a sweater, especially if it is worn frequently.

To prevent pilling, buy a sweater that is machine-washable. You can avoid this issue by washing it in cold water and hanging to dry on a low heat setting, or by air-drying it.

Striped sweaters have a history that goes back to fishermen, who needed to protect their bodies from the elements while on the water. They were originally crafted in Guernsey, an island off the coast of England where fisherman’s wives would knit sweaters and other garments with tightly spun, highly-pile wool to repel the harsh sea spray. These guernsey sweaters were often decorated with Fair Isle patterns, and their popularity spread during the early 1900s. They’re still a staple in many wardrobes today, and are available in a wide array of colors and finishes.