Fleece suits have become an integral part of our wardrobe. We wear them anywhere and everywhere, making the only exception for the theater and business meetings. Although, considering that you don’t really want to visit the former due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the latter have migrated to Zoom, some do not get out of this trendy set at all. For those who, for some reason, were bypassed by this trend, but who want to urgently correct their fashionable oversight, designer Marta Frolova tells you how to find the perfect footer suit.
Take a closer look at the material
The popularity of footer products has led to the fact that most clothing manufacturers are engaged in them. As a result, good fabric is sold like hot cakes from sellers. Against this background, many unscrupulous material suppliers have appeared.
When a person without experience begins to engage in production, he does not know how to find a quality footer. As a result, his clients are disappointed after the first wash. To avoid a bad purchase, pay attention to the ingredients. There are two types of footer: “pene” and “compact”.
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The first option is the most refined. It is made of 80% cotton and 20% lycra or polyester. This ratio helps things keep their shape, prevents the appearance of hated pilling, and preserves color. The threads in the “penya” are thin and intertwined uniformly, so the fabric is smooth and silky and does not cling to anything.
In the mass market, the “compact” version is mainly presented. In this fabric, the interweaving of the threads is more visible, so after washing, pills will begin to appear on the product, and the knees will sag.
When buying an insulated suit, do not forget to evaluate the quality of the fleece. It comes in natural and fleece. Fleece is a less warm artificial material, so it is better to take a footer with brushed cotton. It breathes, absorbs moisture, and is not blown through.
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Footer composition and characteristics
Footer is an unusual knitwear that is knitted on special machines in two stages. How does it differ from other types of knitted fabric - after all, there is also kulirka, ribana, interlock, matweiss, fleece?
The technology for its production is called lining, and this means the use of two types of threads. Strong and smooth high-quality cotton threads go to the “ground”, the base, and form the outer, front part, which is created at the first stage. Loose, soft cotton threads form a lining, lining layer, which is woven into the “ground”, forming a looped texture or pile.
Lined fabric differs from knitted surface in its extreme softness, it is more durable, has greater density, strength and thickness. Its heat-protective properties are also more pronounced, while the elongation is not as great. This is due to the fact that a large number of lining lining threads prevents the fabric from stretching. The unravelability of such knitwear is also significantly lower.
Take more - you won't go wrong
A common mistake women make is choosing clothes that fit exactly their size. Buyers are afraid that a bulky item will make them look fatter, but in the end this is exactly what happens.
The reason is that a warm thing that fits the sides, hips and riding breeches visually increases the proportions of the body and looks cheap. In this regard, be sure to choose models one size larger. Then it feels like there is free space and air under the clothes. The figure looks slimmer. From a practical point of view, this is also beneficial: larger items are warmer, and the elastic band of your underwear does not show through. And to demonstrate the miniature and lightness of the figure, it is enough to slightly expose the wrists and neck.
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Caring for footer products
When caring for footer (cotton, with lycra, polyester, lurex and the addition of other synthetic fibers), it is important to follow simple rules.
- Always turn footer items inside out before washing.
- The maximum water temperature for washing is 30°C.
- Use delicate detergents.
- To dry, the product is easily wrung out without twisting, to avoid damage to the loop structure.
- Recommended at minimum temperature.
Remember the main thing
Sports trousers made from footer are made mainly of two types: straight cut and with elastic at the bottom. For a long time, manufacturers focused on the first option. This is more convenient: this model can be hemmed to the desired length or tucked. Plus, these pants are warmer, although it seems that the elastic band hugs the leg well and warms. But the problem is that it usually ends at the ankle, leaving everything below it exposed. So there is no need to talk about any warming effect.
The current trend is that trousers with elastic are more popular: it looks stylish and neat, plus the open ankle makes the look easier, and the trousers themselves are easier to tuck into boots.
As for hoodies, cropped models are suitable for slender girls without problem areas in the abdomen and hips. Elongated ones will look good on any figure. By the way, a little life hack: some couples even take turns wearing neutral-colored hoodies. In this regard, the oversize size also demonstrates its versatility.
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Advantages and disadvantages of footer
Why is footer considered one of the most popular cotton-based materials? It has a lot of obvious advantages.
- It is surprisingly comfortable and versatile. A tactilely pleasant footer can be selected for products for almost any season. Dense, warm varieties with fleece are great for winter and autumn models, and lightweight versions of soft fabric are perfect for spring and summer. Lightweight material that does not restrict movement allows you to create comfortable clothes for every day and fits well.
- The wear resistance of footer fabric is quite high - unlike other types of cotton knitwear, if treated with care, items made from footer can serve for many seasons in a row without pilling or becoming shiny. This is explained by the peculiarities of the structure of the canvas.
- Produced primarily from cotton, this material is environmentally friendly. It does not cause allergies or itching, and is odorless.
- The material is easily dyed and retains color intensity well, so there is a footer of almost any shade, including a melange effect. Printed footers are also common; the “digital” variety with digital printing on the surface looks impressive.
- Ease of processing - you can work with footer even without special sewing equipment for knitwear; it is enough to use special stitches on a standard machine.
It also has disadvantages
- The footer is afraid of high temperatures - when washing and drying, it can become deformed from thermal effects.
- Ultraviolet radiation is also dangerous for the material.
- Like any natural fabric, footer can shrink; this is important to take into account when ordering material.
Pay attention to details
Often little things play a decisive role in the image, so they should be assessed no less strictly. For example, it is important to remember that patch pockets visually add volume to your figure.
One more nuance: the hood should ideally be large. Then it is convenient to put it on any hairstyle and even on a hat; it protects well from the wind. In this case, the laces cease to have any function and only add to the image of negligence: they fall out and fray. There is also a risk that their fittings will be of poor quality, will quickly lose their original appearance and will look cheap.
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If you still find it more convenient to have a drawstring through the hood, take a model whose color matches it as closely as possible. On the contrary, for fans of sporty style, an option that contrasts with the lace is suitable. The same applies to laces on trousers.
What makes knitwear stand out?
Three-thread footer is the thickest, densest and warmest type of knitwear in its group. The front side is usually smooth, reminiscent of a stockinette stitch, the back side is loop-shaped (in the form of terry) or fleecy.
Knitted fabric is created on special machines using lining weaving. The warp is woven from two threads, and the third (weak twist) is used to form a loop-like surface. The more voluminous the back, the better the heat-saving ability and the thicker the material. Subsequently, the broaching loops are left or passed through them with a machine with needles, which cuts and fluffs the threads. This way, two types of knitwear are obtained: 3-thread footer with fleece or loops.
Reference. Knitwear comes not only with a smooth, but also with a fluffy front surface. Types of 3-thread footer: velvet and velor. The materials in appearance resemble noble fabrics.
Consider your taste and appearance
I’ll say a few more simple, but important points: if practicality comes first for you, buy a set of gray or another color, but a dark shade. They get dirty less. White, naturally, loses its presentable appearance faster than all others. From a fashion point of view, there are no strict rules for choosing the color of a product. Fabric manufacturers initially dye it in current shades, so pay more attention to your taste and appearance. Buy what you like and what suits you.
Types of canvas
Types of cotton knitwear different in density and composition can have completely different properties and be suitable for opposite operating temperature conditions. What is a footer?
By density
Single-strand footer is the lightest and thinnest type of material (170-190 g/m2), smooth on the front side, with minimal texture on the back. It is used mainly for household products and the second layer (products for newborns). Contacting directly with the skin, this material provides absolute tactile comfort, perfectly retains its original shape, and can be worn for several seasons in a row.
Double-thread footer (double-thread, 2-thread) - dense (190-350 g/m2) and soft knitted material, with a stretch effect (stretches in two directions). It is made on a knitting machine with the inclusion in the structure of the material, in addition to the “ground”, of two additional broaching threads (they form a “cover”). As additional ones, loosely twisted threads are used, which form a looped surface on the back or a fluffy pile. One of the types of two-thread fabric is a looped footer, a “terry” loop with a specific, very voluminous looped surface, reminiscent of terry. Sometimes, if the base layer of the footer is knitted according to the knitting principle, a small scar will form on its surface.
Three-thread footer (three-thread, 3-thread) is a footer with the highest density and strength (at least 300 g/m2). A dense and carefully twisted weft thread (basis) is necessary to obtain a smooth surface on the front side. Additional threads with a loose structure are laid from the wrong side, creating a soft pile or looped texture. Lycra/polyester is often used as an additional fiber.
According to the quality of raw materials
The properties of the footer depend not only on the density and method of weaving the threads, but also on the characteristics of the raw materials used. You have probably observed more than once how some materials peel and stretch after the first wash, while others retain the original shape of the product and the smoothness of the front side.
This happens because cotton jersey is knitted from threads obtained by spinning cotton fibers. Initially, all fibers have different lengths - from 20 to 70 mm - the unequal quality of knitwear depends on these indicators.
Peñe is a type of cotton knitwear made from the longest cotton fibers (35-70 mm). Threads based on such cotton are extremely durable, uniform in structure, free of lint and fluff, and lack porosity. Threads of “penye” quality also undergo a special treatment that eliminates defects, so that things made from penye do not peel off in the future, do not deform or stretch when washed, and the seams on them do not move.
There is also the Peñe Compact category, which is the best way to process long-staple cotton today. This knitwear practically does not wrinkle and is very resistant to wear.
Ring/carde is a common and economical cotton knitwear made from looser threads based on medium-length fibers (25-35 mm). The quality of the finished canvas is quite good; it can be determined visually by the presence of a specific “gun” on the surface of the material.
O/ E ( Open End) - knitwear made from the most affordable short cotton fibers (20-30 mm), which are not durable. It has all the traditional advantages of cotton - hygroscopicity, breathability, hygiene, but it also has a drawback - after several washes it can stretch out and pellets appear on the surface. To improve its consumer properties, special proteins are often used - enzymes that make the surface more resistant to rolling.
The final quality of the fabric also depends on the place where the raw materials are grown - Egyptian, Uzbek, and Turkish cotton are common.
At the same time, the footer is also made with the addition of synthetic fibers to give the material additional properties. But the intended effect does not always come on its own. For example, nylon is often added to cotton for strength, but when washed in the wrong mode, such fabric can become covered with pellets. Cotton and elastane footer or viscose knitwear also cannot be washed in violation of the temperature regime. Inclusions of elastane, wool, polyester and spandex are not uncommon in the manufacture of footer, because pure cotton is not highly resistant to deformation.
Application
3-thread footer is valued for its insulating properties, soft texture and comfort, therefore it is used for sewing a variety of clothing items:
- insulated tracksuits;
- fitness uniform;
- pants, overalls;
- sweatshirts, bomber jackets, sweatshirts;
- outerwear for the off-season;
- children's suits, overalls, pants, hats;
- home clothes: dressing gowns, dresses, pajamas, suits.
Three-thread fleece items are perfect for lovers of active recreation, walking, extreme tourism, as well as those who spend a long time outdoors. Clothing does not restrict movement and does not create inconvenience during physical activity.
