It’s cold out, so you reach for a sweater to keep you warm and cozy today. But it’s the itchy one that you know will drive you nuts by the end of the day. You look to your hoodies, but none of them are warm enough or anything you’d wear out past the gym. What to do? Kelsey Vitullo, Head Designer of Comfort at UpWest, says this is the sweet spot for her designs. “I love creating pieces that help you look good, perform well, and keep you cozy and comfortable the entire day… or longer, no judgement,” Vitullo laughs.
Ok, so think of that itchy sweater. You can already feel the scratchiness around the neck, right? Vitullo says you especially want to feel lots of extra comfort around your head and neck. “That thought carried through with the design of our sherpa-lined hoods, collars and mocknecks,” she adds. “Our funnel necks, cowl neck and slouchy neck turtleneck designs give you the extra room you want at the neck, too.”
For sweaters, Vitullo says comfort starts at the yarn. “Our Cable Knit Crew Sweater, for example, is your classic cable knit body, but then you feel it and it’s so super soft because of the buttery soft Chenille yarn,” she says. Her other faves are the slouchy turtleneck made with a super cozy slub yarn and the Layer Up Cardigan Sweater with a chunky yarn and rib detailing.
On the topic of layering, Vitullo says that’s another way to keep comfortable, especially in the colder months. “Lots of perks to layering. I love the look of mixing textures, patterns and colors, and being able to peel off a layer always keeps you at a perfect temp,” she explains. “The Henley Tees and Layering Tanks are really gentle and relaxed on the skin and look great paired with a fleece, flannel or cardi.”
Brushed and washed fabrications in knits, flannels, fleece are also key. “We have the softest garments out there because we’ve added this extra, super important, step in the process,” Vitullo says. “Everything has to pass our Comfort Test.”
Vitullo says you’ll find these extra-comfy fabrics on UpWest hoodies and sweatshirts, and her favorite, the Fireside Fleece. "It feels just like it sounds,” she laughs, “like you’re curled up and cozy by a fire.” Vitullo says you’ll find the Fireside Fleece included on so many great pieces like the Fireside Fleece Hoodie, jogger pant, sweatshirt, and even a Fireside moccasin slipper.
The best thing, Vitullo says, is that these pieces are designed with versatility in mind. “A lot of thought went into carefully choosing fabrics and design elements that transition well from inside to outside the home,” she explains. “We want you to feel just as warm, cozy and comfortable in that sweater lounging on your couch at home or in a meeting at work.”