Sweater weather no longer means one season or one fiber. Today’s knitwear spans from lightweight summer layers to dense winter outerwear. The difference lies in the material, the weight, and the knitting style.
Cotton, Linen, and Year-Round Comfort
Cotton remains a foundation for spring and early fall. Medium-weight knits made from compact cotton yarns balance breathability and structure. Thicker cottons, often used in sweatshirts, add insulation without synthetics.
Linen dominates warm-weather knitwear because of its ability to release heat and moisture. An open or loose-knit linen sweater performs better in summer than a synthetic tee.
Wool, Yak, and Cashmere for Cold
Wool is a performance fiber. Its crimp traps air, creating insulation that adapts to body temperature. Yak and cashmere take this a step further. Both are finer and warmer per gram, ideal for winter sweaters and ribbed layers.
Camel hair also belongs in the conversation. Its hollow fibers trap heat and add resilience, making it ideal for outerwear-weight knits.
Why Polyesters Fall Short
Synthetic fleece and polyester blends have their place in casualwear but lack breathability and moisture management. They trap heat and hold odor. Over time, synthetics lose structure faster than natural fibers and rarely age gracefully.
Knitting Techniques and Structure
Knit structure drives much of the performance difference between garments. A basic jersey knit stretches easily but lacks dimensional stability. Rib and waffle structures provide recovery and bulk. Complex stitches or engineered gauges require more time and technical expertise, explaining why fine knitwear carries higher cost.
Fabric Intelligence in Every Season
The best wardrobes balance fibers and weights across the year. Cotton or linen for summer, midweight merino or blends for transitional weather, and dense cashmere or yak for winter. Fiber choice and construction define how a sweater performs.
Explore our collections to see how WvG uses fiber engineering to build versatile, season-spanning knits.