If the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the term “men’s jumper” is a heavy, tacky, gaudy sweater with a reindeer design, complete with and antlers with bells sticking out the front, then you need to rethink your definition of the term. Jumpers are actually quite fashionable when they are done tastefully, and don’t always translate into something that your Great Aunt Ira would have picked for you as a boy. And, although the men’s jumper is most often worn in the winter, a jumper isn’t always necessarily thick and heavy, either.
There is, in fact, every bit as wide of a selection of lighter jumpers available as there is for the heavy duty kind. These versions of jumper are ideal for spring when it is neither warm enough for polo shirts nor cool enough for the heavy wool sweaters. If you choose the right type of fabric, you’ll be comfortable no matter how drastic the temperature fluctuates from morning to afternoon.
Spring and the Men’s Jumper
Spring brings with it the need for color…and lots of it! Don’t let your idea of the traditional winter jumper keep you from putting some oomph in your wardrobe. Think pastels are just for girls? Think again! Soft shades of lavender, powder blue, pink, yellow, and minty green are all excellent additions to any guy’s wardrobe. Even the more vibrant colors such as cobalt blue, magenta, grass green, and orange are wonderful choices for spring men’s jumper palates.
Getting back to the choice of material, you’ll want to stick with natural fibers such as cotton or a fine wool such as cashmere. Cashmere will be your best choice for the spring jumper for three reasons:
• Cashmere is soft and comfortable against the skin.
• Cashmere has the ability to retain heat so you stay warm on cooler spring mornings.
• Cashmere is light and breathable, so you don’t feel overly warm when the temperature rises during the day.
A cashmere men’s jumper is also surprisingly durable if you take the time to properly care for it. The fabric can be washed, provided you keep it far, far away from heat. Hand wash only, as even the gentle cycle on your machine could damage the fibers. Alternatively, you can have your cashmere jumper dry cleaned to avoid any at-home mishaps and it will come home looking like new. Always choose folding in favor of hanging so the shape doesn’t distort and take care to invest in some moth protection.
In addition to color and fabric, you’ll want to choose a men’s jumper style that is appropriate for the warmer weather. You can’t go wrong with a v-neck jumper. Add a solid tee shirt underneath for a layered effect and a bit of extra insulation for those brisk mornings. Of course, you will find many more styles available as well, so choose one that speaks to your own fashion sense and personality.
