Long sleeve shrug is among the fashion trends of this year. In addition, it is really practical and stylish piece of clothing. Black long sleeve shrug can be worn with almost everything to almost everywhere. However, there are other options for you to choose, as well. Keep reading to find out more.
Sweaters and Wool Clothing – Where Practicality Meets Style
Sweaters and wool clothing have long been a mainstay in cold or damp climates. The traditional warmth offered is widely regarded. In recent years, however, sweaters have moved from the role of functional warmth into the realm of stylish fashion. The Sweater is now a practical and functional statement of style and fashion sense.
Men’s sweaters are offered in a wide variety. These include: Crew Neck, V Neck, Mock Neck, Cardigan, Zipped, Buttoned, Rag, Jersey, Long Sleeve, Vest, Rugby, Shawl Collar; in Cotton, Wool, Alpaca, Synthetic; Argyle, Striped, Solid in Reds, Greens, Yellows, Blues, Browns, Grays, Whites – the list and possible combinations are almost endless. If we add to that the variety offered to women the selection becomes nearly staggering: Cardigan, Cowl Neck, Shrug, One Button, Lace Back, Cap Sleeve, Triple Ruffle, Waterfall, Argyle, Shawl Collar, Bolero, Animal Print, Zip Shoulder, Sleeveless and many, many more. In fact, a quick visit to almost any major retailer’s web site will illustrate the selection of styles, colors, textures and materials that seem fathomless.
Because the selection is overwhelming, we’ll narrow the focus a little bit types or broad categories of sweaters. Specifically we’ll look at the Alpaca Sweater, the Norwegian Sweater and finally Irish Sweaters.
Alpaca wool has been used for many centuries in the Andes Mountains. Its durability, ease of use, and value as protection from the elements is legendary. It was not until the 19th century that the technical advances in manufacturing made Alpaca practical for worldwide use and production in large scale. Alpaca has since grown dramatically in use and acceptance. In fact, the Alpaca itself has become a common site on micro-farms and exotic ranches throughout the world giving western manufacturers renewed access to the wool. Alpaca wool is now nearly as accessible and plentiful as sheep’s wool and in some parts of the world even more so.
The Alpaca Sweater is traditionally colorful and bold. Many have time-honored native motifs such as those relating back to the Inca. We still find these designs woven into the fabric of life in the Quichua villages of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and other parts of South America. These sweaters fully live up to expectations as warm, comforting pieces of clothing that look stunning when integrated into a stylish wardrobe.
The Norwegian Sweater triggers images of ski slopes and winter sports. A common style displays a contrasting or complimentary band of colorful designs across the shoulders or chest. These designs are usually geometric shapes or many times winter images related to winter sports, holidays or just winter in general.
High quality Norwegian sweaters are almost always made of the finest sheep’s wool and are typically thick and heavy. Sheep’s wool, like Alpaca, has high warmth retention when wet and so makes an excellent garment for keeping warm when skiing, ice skating or just playing in the snow. Even if you’re not enjoying winter sports in Norway the Norwegian Sweater speaks to your fashion sense when combined with other defined and stylish clothing for a cold carriage ride around Central Park or winter’s afternoon spent museum hopping around DC’s National Mall.
Since Ireland’s climate is markedly milder than Norway’s, Irish Sweaters tend to be much lighter weight than Norwegian Sweaters. Still, the reliance on sheep’s wool, and other animal fibers, is the same primarily for its protection from wet weather. Other difference are the overall look, Irish Sweaters tend to be rope style sweaters of a single color, muted or neutral color.
A common look in Ireland is a wool sweater with a light, wool jacket layered over the top. This look translates well into other regions as lighter weight sweaters are worn under sports coats for men or as inner shells for women. This look translates well to the world of business attire as well.
Well selected sweaters, Alpaca, Norwegian or Irish, are the confluence of practical functionality and individual style and fashion.
Jeffrey Ward is a Business Consultant and Entrepreneur who focuses on Business Culture and Leadership. His expertise on the impact of Culture Change on Business is well known. He is recently researching and studying Business Attire and it’s influence on the work place.
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