School Jumpers Comparing Wool Nylon and Cotton Polyester Knitwear
Here at The Uniform Company, we supply only the finest quality school jumpers. Our range of knitwear, which includes knitted zip jackets, pullovers, cardigans, vests and scarfs, is all sourced from premium knitwear manufacturer OzKnit.
Our OzKnit knitwear range comes in two different yarn blends: 65% polyester and 35% cotton, or 80% wool and 20% nylon. Let us review the differences here.
Wool/Nylon Blend
When it is blended with wool, nylon (which is synthetic) can help to increase the overall strength and durability of the knitwear, making it more resistant to wear and tear, which is great for rough and tumble school usage.
Nylon also has a high level of elasticity, along with wool, which can stretch to about 30% of its original size. When blended together, these two types of fibres can improve the stretchiness and recovery capability of a jumper, making it more comfortable to wear and less likely to lose its shape over time.
Wool is a fantastic moisture-wicking fibre, helping to keep you dry and comfortable by wicking away sweat from your skin. When blended with nylon, the overall moisture-wicking properties are elevated significantly. It also makes the jumper somewhat waterproof.
Since nylon is a synthetic fibre, it is easy to care for in that it resists shrinkage, excessive creasing and even stains. When blended with wool, the resulting garment is quite low maintenance.
Importantly, a blend of wool and nylon creates a natural and soft look, which is aesthetically appealing and appropriate for warm wear.
Polyester/Cotton Blend
Like nylon, polyester is an extremely hardy synthetic fibre. When it is blended with cotton, which is also strong and durable, the knitwear that results is quite tough and likely to last.
On the downside, unlike wool, cotton is not as fire resistant and is more prone to catch alight if exposed to an open flame. However, it should be noted that both nylon and polyester will resist ignition but will instead melt if exposed to high temperatures.
That said, polyester is also highly resistant to developing wrinkles or shrinking when washed. Cotton shrinks quite easily, however, which is why it is blended with polyester to prevent this from happening.
As a natural fibre, cotton is breathable and absorbent, making it a comfortable fabric to have against your skin to absorb sweat. Polyester is also great at managing moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable. The plastic nature of polyester means that it is extremely resistant to absorbing stains.
Finally, the blending of polyester and cotton makes jumpers cheaper. If you are looking for a more cost-effective option compared with the wool/nylon blend, while still benefiting from the same aesthetic appeal and durability, then this is the way to go.
At The Uniform Company, our range of school jumpers will cover whatever uniform needs you might have. Browse our selection of knitwear in our online store now!