Fashion Returns to Quality - Why a Quality Wool Jumper is a Great Investment

Fashion Returns to Quality - Why a Quality Wool Jumper is a Great Investment

Men's jumpers don't have to become saggy and shapeless after a couple of washes. So why does it pays to invest in a quality wool jumper?

When cash is at a premium and the bills just keep on arriving, it can be tempting to economise on wardrobe staples like a new wool jumper. Yet long after cheap synthetics have been consigned to the recycling bin, a good quality wool jumper will remain as a treasured favourite year after year.

Wool is soft to the touch, but exceptionally tough and durable. It is easy to see that this is a fibre that nature has made fit for purpose. Think of the drenchings and downpours that sheep endure during an average winter. Wool does an excellent job keeping its original owners warm and dry whatever the weather. It was certainly never designed to be discarded after a couple of washes.

No other fibre offers wool's wonderful warmth. It is a fantastic insulator because the natural crimp of the fibres produces insulating air spaces that retain heat close to the body. In winter, there are obvious advantages to a good, thick wool jumper. However, finely spun, lightweight wool makes a great choice for cool summer evenings and cloudy days at any time of the year.

Wool may be naturally water repellent but it also has a unique ability to absorb humidity and so allows the body to breathe. Unlike the sweaty, clammy feel associated with synthetic fibres, wool actively helps to maintain a comfortable and even body temperature.

Not only is wool more pleasant to wear, it looks better. The elasticity of wool fibres means that a wool jumper will mould itself to the unique form of your body, but will also retain its shaper for wash after wash if it is properly cared for.

With just a little extra consideration, wool jumpers can retain their good looks for years. Here are a few important tips.

Like you, your wool jumper needs to rest and breathe. Allow it to lie in a cool, airy place for a day or so after each wearing and it will soon regain the natural bounce of its fibres.

In the same way that wool naturally repels water, neither does it readily attract dirt or stains. Your wool jumper should not need to be washed frequently. If you find you have accidentally marked it, dab as much of the stain out as possible straight away with a clean white cloth.

Always check the label. If it says "Dry Clean Only", it means just that. Leave the cleaning job to the professionals. Your jumper has probably not been treated in readiness for washability with potentially disastrous consequences. Washing may make it shrink; lose its colour or the soft, unique feel that sets wool apart.

Your wool jumper will not enjoy being churned in the washing machine and it will loathe the spin programme. Hand washing is kinder and will keep a wool jumper looking good for much longer. Stubborn resistant stains are best left to the expertise of dry cleaner. If you decide to try a stain remover yourself, make sure it is suitable for use on wool and try it out on an inconspicuous part of the jumper first.

Otherwise, use a mild detergent and always make sure the water is lukewarm, never hot. Also, never add bleach or any detergent that contains bleach. This is a fast track way to watch an item of clothing dissolve before your eyes.

After three to five minutes of soaking to allow the detergent to penetrate the fibres with just the odd gentle squeeze, the jumper can be rinsed thoroughly in cold water. Remove as much water as possible by more gentle squeezing.

The jumper is then ready to dry on a flat surface - always away from sunlight or any direct heat source. Jumpers should never be hung out to dry as the weight of the water will stretch the fibres and cause the jumper to become misshapen.

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