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This is the time of year when people start thinking about buying sweaters. A good wool sweater can keep you warm on those cold winter nights. Imagine curling up with your significant other next to a roaring fire with a hot drink in your hands. Your wool sweaters make sure you don’t feel the chill of the night air.

Human beings have relied on wool as a clothing material for centuries. And even though we have access to plenty of synthetic materials in the 21^st century, wool remains an old standby we haven’t forgotten about. It is as important today as it ever was in the past.

Genuine wool is a natural material provided by the animal kingdom and it is a fiber that is spun to create threads and yarns. Those threads and yarns are then used to manufacture the woolen clothing we know and love. A wool yarn might be used to create beautiful sweaters while threads are woven into fabrics.

Sheep, Goats, and More

Most of us understand wool as coming from sheep. We have all seen the documentaries depicting entire flocks of sheep being sent to the shears. All of the harvested wool fibers become threads and yarns. But guess what? Not all wool comes from sheep.

Some wools are harvested from muskoxen, camelids, and even angora rabbits. Cashmere is a specific fiber harvested from cashmere goats. Likewise, mohair comes from angora goats. As you can see, wool is not as simple as it appears. There are plenty of animals whose coats can be made into fabrics for our clothing.

The Shearing Process

At this point it is important to note that shearing doesn’t harm the animals. Shearing a sheep or goat is no different from you or I getting a haircut. As long as it’s done properly, the animals aren’t bothered by it, and once shorn, an animal’s coat begins growing again.

As for the wool, it is typically divided into four categories immediately following shearing: fleece, bellies, brokens, and locks. Most of it is fleece – the material from which we make most of our wool clothing.

Shorn wool must first be cleaned through a process known as scouring. It not only prepares the wool for spinning, but also harvests some by-products with other uses. Lanolin is a good example of one such by-product. Scouring is sometimes accomplished with nothing more than warm water. Other times, detergents must be used.

Following the scouring process, wool fibers are further classified by diameter. The smaller the diameter, the finer the spun yarn or thread. Smaller diameters create a higher quality product.

Wool’s Many Uses

Wool is such a versatile fiber that we can use it to make all sorts of things. This post started by talking about wool sweaters. You can find a full variety of wool sweaters here at The Stockist, as well as clothing boutiques and department stores around the country. Everything from luxurious cashmere pullovers to wool cardigans are readily available. But that’s not all.

Wool is a great material for making gloves and hats. Wool jackets are also fairly common. In fact, a lot of clothing was made of wool prior to the introduction of synthetic fibers and fabrics.

Elsewhere, wool is sometimes used to make carpeting and area rugs. A good wool rug will last hundreds of years with minimal care. Wool is a favorite among upholsterers as well as makers of saddle cloths, horse rugs, and other similar items.

So there you have it, the wonderful world of wool sweaters goes way beyond those wonderful pullovers that keep us so warm in the winter.

It is hard to go anywhere these days and not see people wearing beanies. As far as headgear and fashion go, we can barely separate the two. Beanies have become the all-purpose headgear for both men and women. Moreover, they go with just about everything. But where do they come from?

Today’s youth might consider beanies a relatively new piece of fashion. After all, most Americans only wore them in cold weather prior to 2000s, whereas today, we are just as likely to wear them in the middle of the summer. Well, it turns out that beanies are a centuries-old item of clothing. Back in the day, they weren’t a fashion statement. Beanies were all about keeping warm.

The Early Years: Monmouth Caps

The term ‘beanie’ is relatively new. Way back when the caps were first invented, in the 12^th century, they were known as Monmouth caps. They were named after the town in which they were first produced. Welsh hatmakers made two types of Monmouth caps at the time. One was a seamed cap with a button on top. The other was a knitted cap very similar to modern beanies.

As Monmouth gradually became famous for the caps, makers began using more expensive materials to construct their products. They also started adding beautiful embroidery as well. By the 13^th century, Monmouth caps were all the rage among the fashionable in Wales.

From Monmouth Cap to Woolen Beanie

The Monmouth cap continued to evolve over the next several hundred years. By the time the 18^th century rolled around, Monmouth caps were all about fashion for females. Because they were still mainly functional for men, there was less emphasis on fashion for the products made for them. Also notable at this time was the transition to wool.

Where silk, velvet, and even taffeta were acceptable materials in the 12^th and 13^th centuries, makers had transitioned primarily to wool by the 18^th century. Moreover, almost all beanies at that time were single-piece hats of knit construction.

Makers in Monmouth also began exporting their wool caps at that time. By the 19^th century, they were all over the world. Other makers began getting in on the game too, but Monmouth retained its reputation as being home to the best and most fashionable beanies.

The Modern Beanie

That brings us to the modern beanie, a knit cap that is both fashionable and functional. In the early 1900s, the beanie began infiltrating colleges and universities thanks to students looking to establish their own fashion trends. Many of those same college students went on to keep wearing beanies as adults. So much so that the beanie became an item of workwear in the 1950s.

Manual laborers turned to wearing beanies to both protect their heads and keep their hair out of the way. And of course, they really took off in northern environments because they kept the heads of outdoor workers warm, even on the coldest days. From the 1950s through the late 1990s, beanies were more functional to most of the people who wore them.

Today, beanies are for everyone. Men, women, and children wear them year-round. You tend to see them more during the winter months, but beanies are not restricted to cold weather wearing.

If you are looking for a new beanie, we invite you to check out our store. You will find a great selection of knit caps from manufacturers you have come to know and trust. Now would be a good time for a new beanie, given that Salt Lake City winters can get pretty cold.

Women everywhere know the undeniable truth that you can never have too many pairs of shoes. Shoes are more than just foot coverings. They are more than just protection against cold and moisture. Shoes are as much about fashion as they are protection. They are as much about outfit coordination as they are support.

The biggest difficulty for many of our customers is not the volume of shoes in the closet, it is choosing which pair to wear for each occasion. We do our best to meet a variety of needs by maintaining a good selection of women’s shoes in a range of styles and colors.

So how do you choose your next pair of women’s shoes? By thinking things through. Consider the following:

How You Will Use Them?

All women’s shoes start with function. Unlike men who can get away with one or two pairs for just about every occasion, women need different function for different scenarios. Ask yourself this: why am I buying a new pair of shoes? What will I use them for?

If it is mostly casual use, the door is wide open. Classic slip-on sneakers are an all-purpose choice that do not require a lot of detailed coordination. If you’re looking for something you can wear to work, think about the office dress code. You might find something like A Red Wing Heritage boot more appropriate.

Your Personal Style

Function is just half the equation. Once you narrow down your selections by considering how you will use your new shoes, you can start thinking about your personal style. Let’s say you’ve settled on a pair of mid-top boots you can wear to work and out with friends.

Do you prefer a rounded toe or classic square toe? Are you more amenable to boots with laces, or do you want something you can just slip on and go? You need a pair of shoes that speak to who you are as well as what you do. Your shoes should convey your personal style like every other article of clothing you are going to wear with them.

The Rest of Your Wardrobe

The extensive nature of a woman’s wardrobe is one of the reasons she can never have too many pairs of shoes. As you are looking to buy a new pair, think about all the other things in your closet. Are you looking for shoes that go with a particular outfit? Or perhaps you want something that works well with most everything you own.

These days, athletic shoes are all the rage. They aren’t just for gym class and outings in the park. Some of the trendiest fashionistas have found a way to create fascinating combinations that were never before possible. For example, a pair of hi-top Converse sneakers no longer looks out of place with a knee-length dress. They look perfectly at home, complemented by a jean jacket and a nice hat.

One advantage of the sneaker set is color. Dress shoes tend to be fairly neutral and bland, but sneakers are an entirely different matter. There are bright oranges and pinks along with more sedate blacks, grays, and whites. And of course, patterned hi-top sneakers really make a statement.

Here at The Stockist we make it our mission to keep our selection of women’s shoes as versatile as possible. We want to offer something for everyone. If you are looking for a new pair, we invite you to browse our online inventory or stop in to our Salt Lake City boutique. You will be glad you did.

School is back in session, football is on TV, and Halloween decorations are starting to pop up. We all know what that means: fall is here. And with the arrival of the autumn season comes the annual wardroom transfer. It is time to put away the shorts and T-shirts in favor of warmer clothing.

What does your wardrobe look like these days? In anticipation of what lies ahead, here are five pieces of clothing every man should have as we head into the fall season:

1. A Flannel Shirt

The flannel shirt is synonymous with autumn. Flannel is a soft, woven fabric that can be made of cotton, wool, or synthetic fiber. Its claim to fame is warmth. Thanks to its density, flannel prevents excessive airflow without being too stuffy. It holds in heat and wicks away moisture simultaneously.

Flannel shirts can be either plain or patterned. For a formal look, go for a solid color like dark moss or cigar brown. Patterned flannel shirts are more appropriate for casual occasions.

2. A Knit Thermal

Most thermal shirts in the U.S. are made with a cotton or poly-cotton blend and a waffle weave. Thermal shirts and long johns are designed to be worn as an extra layer for warmth. A knit thermal shirt is the perfect complement for a flannel when spending time outdoors. And as the weather gets colder, a thermal could be a man’s best friend around the house.

3. A Hoody

What we call a hoody used to be known as a hooded sweatshirt among our parents and grandparents. No matter what you call it though, a hoody is one of the most versatile pieces of outerwear on the market. It is the perfect companion for those days when you are out hiking in the woods or playing touch football with friends. It can also be used to keep you warm on your way to and from work, even if you’re wearing a shirt and tie underneath.

A good hoody should fit well and be durable. Do not settle for something cheap. Invest in a quality hoody and you will get years of reliable service from it.

4. A Pair of Jeans

Jeans are to slacks what hoodies are to outerwear: all-purpose garments with a variety of appropriate uses. We recommend at least one pair of high quality jeans for the autumn and winter months. Jeans are warm, they wear well in cold weather, and they work with all sorts of autumn and winter footwear. They are the perfect pair of pants for working around the house or hanging out with friends.

5. A Formal Jacket

Finally, we round out our selection of men’s clothing for fall with a formal jacket. By ‘formal’ we do not mean a suit coat you would wear with dress slacks and a tie. Rather, we mean a jacket you could wear to more formal occasions like house parties and holiday gatherings. Our Iron Heart light kersey and Alex Mill blazer are two good examples. You wouldn’t wear these jackets while working on the car, but they are more than appropriate for an evening on the town.

Some of us are lamenting the end of summer. Others are rejoicing at the cooler temperatures and beautiful colors of fall. Regardless of where you stand, there is no denying that this time of year demands a wardrobe change. Come visit us at The Stockist where we offer a complete line of men’s clothing for all seasons. We have just what you need to get your fall wardrobe up to snuff.

The days are starting to get shorter. Temperatures are not as high as they were back in the heat of summer. School has started and summer vacations have drawn to a close. It all points to one thing: the end of summer. That is not necessarily bad, especially if you are not a summer person. And if you’re into fashion, fall represents a whole new season with fantastic styles just waiting to be worn.

We say goodbye to summer every year. It is an annual seasonal ritual that captivates the fashion industry with new fall lines covering everything from casual clothing and formal wear to jewelry and accessories. This year’s fall fashions are a bit muted thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but there is still plenty new to look at.

Be True to Yourself

If we have learned anything from the pandemic it is the simple fact that certain things in life really matter while other things do not. We have all been forced to slow down and re-evaluate. We have spent more time at home, contemplating our place in the world and those relationships we hold most dear.

In whatever way you have fared over the last 5 to 6 months, we want to encourage you to be true to yourself. The clothing and accessories you choose to wear should reflect who you are as a person, not what you think others should think about you.

If you are free and wild spirit, wear your Rylee and Cru dress or your Taylor Stitch short sleeve Hawthorne with pride. If you are more conservative, express yourself in a pair of Carhartt WIP slacks or a gorgeous Paloma Wool jumpsuit. You are what you wear.

Cooler Days and Crisper Nights

It will not be long before autumn makes itself known with cooler days and crisper nights. Shorts and tank tops will be stored away in favor of flannel shirts and long pants. Jeans will again return to the most prominent place in your wardrobe.

Here in Salt Lake City, the temperatures can get pretty cool during the autumn months. We encourage you to take a look through your closet to make sure you are prepared. A sweater or two is a good starting point. Maybe you are in the market for a new jacket as well.

We carry all of your favorite brands including Alex Mill, Callahan, Bridge & Burn, Corridor, Katin, Knot Sisters, and many more. And of course, we have all the latest fashions for women, men, and the kiddos too.

More Time at Home

No one really knows if the coronavirus pandemic will continue to stretch well into fall. But if it does, that means more time at home this year as compared to previous years. We want you to be comfortable regardless. So take a look at our casual clothing selections as well. We have a good selection of tops and bottoms perfect for working and playing from home.

Most of all, we hope you will embrace the coming fall season with joy and enthusiasm. Fall is a reminder of everything beautiful in the world. Between bright fall colors and cooler temperatures, the season is a time for individual renewal ahead of the busy holiday season.

You are welcome to visit our Salt Lake City boutique to shop for the latest fall fashions and accessories. We would love to meet you and get to know you a little better. If you are unable to visit, our online store offers all of the same great styles you’ll find in our boutique. Feel free to browse and order at your convenience.