<p>I am looking to replace some old and fairly worn-out bulky cotton sweaters with something more lightweight yet still warm. Almost all wool makes me itch terribly, even if blended with other fibers. So aside from wool, should I be looking for cotton blended with silk or cashmere? Any recommendations?</p>
<p>fleece? (indestructable, lightweight, warm)</p>
<p>Oops. Forgot to mention that I need these for work. Doesn’t have to be very dressy - the ones I have now are pretty simple cardigans - but fleece is probably a little too casual.</p>
<p>since I live in the South and find wool too hot most of the time, I really like a blend of silk and cashmere…they look elegant and pretty to me but warm…however, they do seem to pill. A friend who knows fashion said that all blends pill…ymmv</p>
<p>Think again about fleece… you may find some styles that are a bit dressier than they typical outdoorsy styles. </p>
<p>I also like a material that looks a bit like suede but is not. Kohl’s seems to have a lot of it. I bought three shirt-jackets a few years ago that I love. Now I see they have more formal styles too.</p>
<p>I love my cashmere sweaters. They are very warm but very lightweight. They come in all styles. I wear them under suits and with pants or skirts to work in the winter. I like the sweater sets because I can wear the shell only under a suit or the cardigan and shell. Pretty traditional but they come in so many colors. I like fleece and have a goodly amount of fleece, but agree it’s alittle to casual I think for offices unless you have a Jeans type workplace. Silk blends are nice but not as warm as all cashmere but great for a climate that doesn’t get below freezing or spring and fall.</p>
<p>A couple times per year Jones of New York comes out with a basic black or gray silk blend cardigan that is great for work. I am not a dedicated Lands End shopper, but these sweater sets are a nice weight and go great with slacks, skirt or jeans. There are matching sleeveless or short sleeve tops. [Women’s</a> Fine Gauge Cotton Cardigan Sweater from Lands’ End](<a href=“http://www.landsend.com/pp/FineGaugeCottonCardigan~128991_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::IR3&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000086&origin=index]Women’s”>http://www.landsend.com/pp/FineGaugeCottonCardigan~128991_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::IR3&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000086&origin=index)</p>
<p>Brooks Brothers makes a beautiful silk/cashmere blend sweater that is quite warm. I have the cardigan in several colors. There are still quite a few on winter clearance: </p>
<p>[Brooks</a> Brothers | Silk Cashmere Cable Cardigan](<a href=“http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=516&Product_Id=1469786&Parent_Id=314&default_color=Lunar]Brooks”>http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=516&Product_Id=1469786&Parent_Id=314&default_color=Lunar)</p>
<p>oops…just read you don’t want wool. They also have silk/cotton blends that look nice. Sign up for their email list and you will get random discounts. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=694[/url]”>http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=694</a></p>
<p>I am a knitter and I suffer terribly from wool itch. I cannot knit with most wool, although I love the feel of knitted wool things. From most itchy to least itchy: </p>
<p>“ordinary” wool (such as Shetland wool) -> merino wool -> merino/silk blends -> less expensive cashmere -> better quality cashmere (I would assume cashmere/silk to be no more itchy than cashmere, but haven’t run across it)</p>
<p>Right now I am wearing a very casual zip-front cashmere hoody from Patagonia that is the warmest sweater I own. It was my big indulgence for clothing for the winter but I wear it almost every day. It does not itch. </p>
<p>The problem with cotton sweaters (IMHO) is that cotton doesn’t not insulate at all when wet. “Cotton kills” is the old saying of hikers everywhere. I’m very fond of fleece because it does insulate when wet, but there is very little fleece that doesn’t very casual.</p>
<p>I actually think that you might be better off getting some lightweight silk underwear and worrying less about the sweater keeping you warm. My warmest (nonbulky) sweater is alpalca, but it’s definitely wool. [Ladies</a>’ Lightweight Silk Long Underwear: tops, bottoms, tanks](<a href=“http://www.wintersilks.com/products.aspx?BRANCH=1~4~&dept=Ladies+Lightweight-Ladies+Lightweight]Ladies”>http://www.wintersilks.com/products.aspx?BRANCH=1~4~&dept=Ladies+Lightweight-Ladies+Lightweight)</p>
<p>^I wear that when I am going to be outdoors for hours in the dead of winter for a horse show. Won’t it be a little warm for work?</p>
<p>^^Winter Silks makes three weights of silk underwear, and some of the tops are sleeveless and the bottoms almost a capri. Unless the indoor temperature is high (or you run hot with high metabolism or menopausal hot flashes) some of it will probably suit the purpose.</p>
<p>If I run around in my silk underwear I get hot, but when I sit at my desk it’s great. Admittedly my office runs cold since the floor is not insulated.</p>
<p>If it wouldn’t be too warm, then I would recommend the silk underwear as well. I am extremely sensitive to fabrics and even I’m comfortable in them. Just not accustomed to the idea of wearing them indoors!</p>
<p>When it comes to warmth, nothing compares to cashmere, says this lady who works in the office nicknamed “The Meat Locker”. I even keep a cashmere wrap handy in case our lousy heating shuts down completely. Go for the best qualty cashmere for your buck - Costco, Nordstrom (or NR), Neiman (or Last Call) should have some great cashmere on sale this time of the year… Do not buy discount cashmere sweaters at places such as Macy’s, because the quality is abysmal.</p>
<p>Fleese is not really appropriate as an office wear, unless, of course, your entire office shops at REI for every formal occasion possible. :)</p>
<p>I really like polypropolene thermals because they are so washable and don’t overheat or get clammy. I also like pashmina shawls, which are very versatile. I love some of the newer fleece vests that have stretch panels so they are more fitted and can be worn under nice jackets for a layered look. If my torso and back are warm as well as my feet, I am much more comfortable.</p>
<p>Don’t overlook comfortable warm socks to help keep you warm. I have come to love Thorlo socks–they wear very well and I’ve never gotten a blister since purchasing them. When your feet are warm, it really helps keep the rest of your body warm. I wear them with walking shoes and slacks.</p>
<p>I don’t wear silk except some silk knits and knit sweater sets. I do love and wear nicer technical gear. I love the washable suede blazer I bought me & D a while back at Costco.</p>
<p>If you actually go look at clothing at an outfitter like REI or some other smaller companies that sell clothing geared to “active lifestyles”, you’d be surprised at how much they offer that would be usable in an office environment that leans casual.</p>
<p>The great thing about “active” clothing is that it is constructed of materials that will offer the greatest warmth without weight, or the best breathability while being stylish, etc. I always forget to shop for everyday clothes at these places until I go in there, usually to buy a gift for someone in my family. </p>
<p>While much of the selection is too sporty to be appropriate, there are great sweaters, pants, shirts etc. </p>
<p>I also second the suggestion for cashmere. I am only recently discovering how great it is. It’s lightweight, beautiful, and WARM. Now I understand why it’s such a big deal. It can be expensive but I’ve finally come to appreciate that it’s worth it!</p>