Dropping temperatures and cooler weather signify it’s time for sweater weather. Sweaters are a versatile closet staple that are always in fashion. Easily paired with jeans, trousers, or skirts, they can also be used as layering over lightweight shirts, blouses, or dresses. Sweaters are the perfect transitional piece that you can wear season to season—and never go out of style.
Sweaters can be combined with other pieces in your wardrobe and complement a variety of outfits, from luxury to comfortable everyday wear. As designers look to create these functional and comfortable garments, it’s crucial to think about what factors are driving customers’ purchases.
Time and again we hear that quality is highly important to fashion consumers. According to the Eastman Global Marketing Message Study, half of global consumers say that quality is very important to their clothing purchase decisions. But they’re seeking more out of what’s currently offered on the market. The Eastman study found that less than half of global consumers say they are very satisfied with the comfort (47%), ease of care (41%), softness (39%), and moisture management (29%) of the clothing they own.
Knit with Naia™ and BCI cotton
Sustainability has become another important driver of fashion purchases. Today’s consumers are more aware than ever about the individual impact of fashion. They’re interested in how garments are manufactured and what happens to them at end of life. They’re also paying attention to what their clothes are made of. The Eastman U.S. Sustainability Leader Consumer Community found that 7 in 10 sustainably minded U.S. consumers say materials define sustainability in fashion, and more than four out of five (83%) say they would be more loyal to brands offering clothing made from sustainable fibers.
Now, designers can produce sweaters for their collections that meet both quality and sustainability needs with truly sustainable Naia™ fiber. Eastman Naia™ cellulosic fiber is a sustainable fiber made from wood pulp. With full traceability from tree to fiber, Naia™ cellulosic fiber is made in the U.S.A. with the highest safety, social, and environmental standards. Our closed-loop production process allows recycling and safe reuse of solvents and water, resulting in fibers that have a low environmental impact.
Naia™ is produced via sustainable sourcing of wood pulp from certified pine and eucalyptus forests and plantations to ensure no deforestation of protected forests. It is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Product Class I certified and is made with no hazardous chemicals listed on the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List. Naia™ has a third-party reviewed life-cycle assessment compliant with ISO 14044 and is ranked on the Higg Materials Sustainability Index. And Naia™ has received the ‘OK biodegradable’ and ‘OK compost’ conformity marks from TÜV AUSTRIA, certifying that this fiber is biodegradable, compostable, and will return to nature at the end of life.
The Naia™ portfolio of sustainable fibers includes a cellulosic staple fiber and a cellulosic filament yarn, giving designers more choices and versatility to create. With Naia™, you don’t have to compromise on sustainability, quality, or comfort that customers’ expect in sweaters.
AA Global knit with Naia™ and linen
Sweaters made from Naia™ are perfect for staying warm in autumn and winter. Naia™ blends well with other eco-conscious fibers to create supremely soft, comfortable sweaters that consistently reduce pilling.* If you’re seeking a soft and lightweight feel for your garment, Naia™ cellulosic fibers are supremely soft, smooth, and breathable. The natural breathability translates into knitwear that allows moisture to pass through. Naia™ delivers enduring softness and, depending on the blend, feels lightweight for longer-lasting comfort.
With Naia™, you can create sweaters that are comfortable during a busy day on the go and cozy for a warm night on the couch. The incredible soft touch of Naia™ endures wash after wash, providing a sense of ease every time it touches the skin.
Lightweight sweaters are also an excellent layering staple for spring and summer. Luxurious features like luster, beautiful drape, and silky soft hand—coupled with comfort and easy care—make Naia™ an ideal component for sweaters.* Naia™ brings versatility to sweater yarns in lustrous or matte finishes. The diverse denier offering of Naia™ allows sweaters to be used in multiple gauge machines and designs. Sweaters made from Naia™ naturally have a beautiful luster, creating a standout look. For a more subdued appearance and texture, the yarn can also be transformed into a luxurious sweater with a matte finish.
With inherent cool-to-touch properties, Naia™ cellulosic yarn used in knitwear keeps your skin feeling cool. This benefit endures through washing and wearing over time. Depending on the blend, sweaters made of Naia™ can be delicate on skin, ensuring comfort for even the most sensitive skin. In combination with other fibers, Naia™ affords almost unlimited possibilities for textural variety, from bouncy bouclé yarns made with Naia™ filament to subtle yarns made with Naia™ staple blends.
For more information, contact your Naia™ representative or your yarn spinner.
Knit with Naia™, recycled polyester, and linen
*These claims depend on blends, yarn composition, fabric construction, and finishing.
Eastman Naia™ cellulosic fiber - The sustainable choice for sweaters
