Wool | J. Kent Ltd.

What’s So “Super” About Super Wools?

Oct 15 2016

An age-old grading system is used to ensure that the quality of wool fabric is accurately categorized—and valued. The finest worsted wools are called “super wools” or “choice wool.” Carded wools are called “woolens.” When the grading system for worsted wool began in England, it applied only to 100% pure raw wool, but now covers wool blends that incorporate other natural fibers, such as cashmere, mohair, or alpaca. While the USDA monitors wool grading in the U.S., The British Wool Textile Export Corporation introduced a code of practice concerning the description of wool quality in the 1990s to clear up confusion in the marketplace caused by companies describing the same qualities of wool in different ways. The main benefit to consumers is consistent rating of the quality of wool fiber contained in cloths woven in the United Kingdom. For more than a century cloth woven in the United Kingdom has been...

J Kent Erickson

Fabrics & Textiles

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Care & Maintenance

Your Need-to-Know Necktie Refresher

Mar 15 2016

This season is a great time to review some essentials of style for your tie. We’re happy to share with you a few fun basics on ties compiled by GQ.com Q: How long should my tie be? A: The tip of your tie should reach the middle of your belt. This keeps your shirt from showing through when your coat is slightly open. Q: Why (and how) should I create a dimple in my tie? A: The dimple ensures your tie knot looks crisp and sharp. When tying the knot, make sure it’s tight—that will keep your dimple in place all day long. Q: What’s the purpose of creating lift in my tie? A: A tie that lies flat looks, well, flat. Bring an impression of energy and depth by creating lift. Use a tie bar to secure your tie to the shirt between third and fourth buttons. Be sure to pull the tie up a...

J Kent Erickson

Care & Maintenance

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Footwear & Hosiery

Fiber Choices for Socks

Feb 24 2014

The type of fibers in the socks you wear can have a big difference in how comfortable you feel. The scoop on several popular fiber choices for socks: COTTON is affordable and easy to find in a wide variety of colors. Although cotton does not wick moisture away like wool or linen, it is comfortable and cushiony. Socks woven from Sea-island cotton, with its long-staple fiber, offer a soft, silky feel. WOOL is available in a variety of thicknesses, including heavier socks for warmth during cooler weather. Modern wools are itch-free and smooth, while still providing the insulation and breathability that make wool a timeless favorite. CASHMERE delivers the ultimate in sock luxury. The lightweight fibers warm without adding bulk, giving you a good fit and unsurpassed comfort. BLENDS combine the attributes of two types of fibers. Supplementing natural fibers with small amounts of spandex often gives socks better elasticity without sacrificing breathability....

Dressing Up The Tweed Sport Coat

Feb 03 2014

Tweeds hail from the leisure traditions of the English countryside, and offer you a more relaxed look than your workday suit—but that doesn’t mean your tailored tweed sport coat can’t look fantastic. Tweeds are a perfect bridge between dressy and casual options in your wardrobe: it’s all in the pairings you create. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Consider adding a light-gauge sweater under the jacket. A vest offers another great opportunity to add a splash of color without overwhelming the eye. If you’re looking for a lighter option, skip the sweater or vest, and bring in one of your more casual ties. A tweed sport coat looks great over a checked shirt with a plaid tie. Don’t forget to accessorize—a pocket square can work with a tweed jacket. Be sure to choose colors for your square that work well with the jacket. Matte fabrics will often harmonize better with...

J Kent Erickson

Coats & Jackets

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Accessories & Jewelry

Tie Quality

Jun 04 2012

Ties add more than a splash of color to your work attire - the quality of your tie contributes to your image as well. The next time you're selecting new ties for your wardrobe, make sure they are of long lasting, high-quality workmanship. When measuring tie quality the first consideration is the "hand" or feel of the tie. Check that the fabric feels pleasant to the touch. A scratchy or stiff tie is likely to be of lower-quality fabric than one that simply feels luxuriant. This "touch test" applies equally well to thick and thin fabrics. Next, check the manufacture's tag to see what type of fabric you're holding. Silk or wool ties are generally preferable to synthetics. The natural elasticity of these fibers will stretch better around the neck, leading to a longer useful life in your wardrobe. Once you've approved the feel and fabric of the tie, check the details. Finer...

J Kent Erickson

Accessories & Jewelry

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Shirts, Vests, & Blouses

The Versatile Vest

Oct 04 2011

Vests can be excellent mix-and-match wardrobe pieces. Rather than limiting their use to the three-piece suit, use versatile vests as coordinating pieces for sport coats and trousers. Consider having vests personalized to your taste—lapels, pockets, fabric, and fit can all be custom-crafted to create timeless pieces that will give you extra options with your existing shirts, trousers, and coats. Traditionally, vests are made of the same fabric as a jacket or trousers. They can also draw on contrasting colors, or simply use a base color from the jacket or trousers. When creating combinations, keep fabric choices (tweed, silk, cotton, wool) similar enough to avoid an awkward pairing....

J Kent Erickson

Shirts, Vests, & Blouses

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Seasonal Attire

Summer Wardrobe

Jul 31 2010

The blustery days of spring turn into a distant memory when the weather warms up. And your warm winter suit, so helpful a few months ago, can soon seem too heavy to wear. Keep your cool this summer—without losing your professional look—by crafting a summer wardrobe with style. Your tools? Summer wardrobe-worthy fabrics in wool, linen, silk, and cotton. Wool can still be your wardrobe’s best friend during the sun-friendly months. Simply keep to lightweight versions (look for tropical or summer weight fabrics) to retain the breathability of wool’s natural fibers without the warmth of the winter weights. Linen fabrics offer a looser weave than wool, which lets air circulate to keep you cool without compromising style by dressing down. Minimize your linen suit’s wrinkles by tailoring the fit to your shape. Baggy trousers and an oversized coat will wrinkle more than a suit that moves with you. Silks and silk blends drape beautifully...

J Kent Erickson

Seasonal Attire

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Wool Tag

What’s So “Super” About Super Wools?

Your Need-to-Know Necktie Refresher

Fiber Choices for Socks

Dressing Up The Tweed Sport Coat

Tie Quality

The Versatile Vest

Summer Wardrobe

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