Acrylic vs Polyester Jumpers: The Pros and Cons vs Natural Fibres

The short answer? Acrylic mimics wool beautifully and offers excellent warmth at a fraction of the cost, whilst polyester is incredibly durable and crease-resistant but can feel less breathable. Both synthetic fibres have their place in a well-curated wardrobe, though natural fibres like wool, cashmere, and cotton typically offer superior breathability, temperature regulation, and longevity—though they come with a higher price tag and more demanding care requirements.

Understanding Your Jumper Fabrics

I've been styling women for over fifteen years, and the fabric conversation always comes up when we're building a capsule knitwear collection. The truth is, there's no "bad" fabric—only fabrics that work better for different lifestyles, budgets, and wearing occasions. Let me break down what you really need to know.

Acrylic Jumpers: The Wool Impersonator

Acrylic is the clever synthetic that was specifically developed to replicate wool's softness and warmth. It's a petroleum-based fibre, yes, but it's come a remarkably long way since the scratchy jumpers of the 1970s.

The Pros of Acrylic

• Budget-friendly brilliance – You can build an entire jumper collection for the price of one cashmere piece

• Hypoallergenic – Perfect if wool makes you itch or you have sensitive skin

• Holds colour beautifully – Those vibrant jewel tones and deep navies stay true wash after wash

• Lightweight warmth – Genuinely cosy without the bulk

• Easy care – Machine washable, quick drying, and generally fuss-free

• Moth-proof – No holes appearing mysteriously in your wardrobe

The Cons of Acrylic

• Pilling – Those annoying little bobbles appear relatively quickly, especially under arms and where bags rub

• Less breathable – Can feel clammy if you overheat or layer too heavily

• Static electricity – Hair-raising moments are real, particularly in winter

• Not as long-lasting – Loses shape and softness faster than natural fibres

• Environmental concerns – Sheds microplastics when washed

Polyester Jumpers: The Practical Performer

Polyester often gets unfairly dismissed in the knitwear world, but modern polyester blends can be remarkably sophisticated. It's the workhorse fibre—resilient, practical, and increasingly refined.

The Pros of Polyester

• Exceptional durability – These jumpers last and last without losing shape

• Wrinkle-resistant – Pack it, scrunch it, it bounces back

• Quick-drying – Ideal for travel or active lifestyles

• Holds pleats and structure – Modern textured knits rely on this property

• Affordable – Often the most budget-friendly option

• Colour-fast – Won't fade or bleed in the wash

The Cons of Polyester

• Can feel synthetic – That telltale "plasticky" texture in lower-quality versions

• Retains odours – Body odour clings more stubbornly than with natural fibres

• Less temperature regulating – You'll feel properly hot when it's warm

• Not particularly breathable – Not ideal if you run warm or experience hot flushes

• Environmental impact – Microplastic shedding is a genuine concern

Natural Fibres: The Gold Standard

Wool, cashmere, merino, cotton, and alpaca remain the benchmark for quality knitwear. They're breathable, naturally temperature-regulating, and develop a beautiful patina over time. Wool actively wicks moisture whilst keeping you warm—it's genuinely clever stuff. The downsides? Higher prices, more delicate care (dry cleaning or hand washing), and vulnerability to moths. But a well-made wool jumper will outlast five acrylic versions if you treat it properly.

My Styling Verdict

Here's what I tell every client: build a layered approach. Invest in two or three natural fibre pieces—a classic crew neck merino, a cashmere V-neck, perhaps a chunky wool cardigan. These are your "forever" pieces. Then supplement with well-chosen acrylic or acrylic-blend jumpers for variety, trend-led colours, and situations where practicality trumps luxury (dog walks, school runs, casual Fridays).

Look for blends—cotton-acrylic, wool-polyester mixes—which often give you the best of both worlds. A 70% wool, 30% acrylic blend offers wool's breathability with added durability and easier care.

Where to Shop: My Brand Recommendations

High Street Heroes

M&S – Their autograph merino and cashmere-blend collections punch well above their price point, with excellent colour ranges and reliable sizing. The pure merino crew necks are wardrobe workhorses.

Cos – Minimalist perfection with a focus on quality fabrications. Their wool-blend jumpers have clean lines and subtle details that look far more expensive than they are. Beautiful weight and drape.

Uniqlo – The extra-fine merino collection is exceptional value. Japanese attention to detail means minimal pilling and excellent shape retention. Their cashmere, whilst blended, is surprisingly soft.

Arket – Scandinavian simplicity meets conscious design. They're transparent about fabric content and their wool blends are thoughtfully constructed. Relaxed, contemporary fits that actually suit real bodies.

Jigsaw – Slightly more investment but worth it for their interesting textures and premium-feel blends. They do particularly good funnel necks and boyfriend-fit cardigans in wool-cotton mixes.

Boden – Don't dismiss them as frumpy! Their cashmere is genuinely lovely—thick, soft, and available in brilliant colours. The relaxed boyfriend fit is endlessly versatile.

Whistles – Contemporary cuts with a fashion edge. Their knits in alpaca and merino blends are investment pieces that work year after year. Particularly good if you prefer a more structured, tailored silhouette.

Toast – Independent British brand with a cult following for good reason. Their organic cotton and linen knits are breathable and beautifully made, whilst their wool jumpers are chunky, characterful, and long-lasting. Relaxed, artistic aesthetic.

Brora – Scottish luxury knitwear specialists offering exceptional cashmere at more accessible prices than pure luxury brands. Their signature cashmere is thick, cosy, and comes in gorgeous heritage colours. An investment, but one that lasts decades.

Premium Picks

Me+Em – Modern, flattering cuts in premium fabrications. Their cashmere is exceptionally soft and their colour palette is sophisticated and wearable.

Reiss – Fashion-forward knitwear with attention to detail. Good for statement pieces and contemporary silhouettes in quality wool blends.

Luxury Investment

Max Mara – Italian excellence. Their camel and wool knits are iconic, and the quality is genuinely heirloom-level. These are pieces you'll pass down.

Loro Piana – If budget allows, their baby cashmere is the pinnacle of luxury knitwear. Whisper-soft, beautifully constructed, and worth every penny.

Never Buy the Wrong Size Again with Tellar.co.uk

Here's the frustrating truth about jumper shopping: a size 12 in Cos fits nothing like a size 12 in Boden, and don't even get me started on the difference between Whistles and Uniqlo. I've watched countless women buy beautiful jumpers online only to face the sizing lottery—too tight across the bust, too short in the body, sleeves that dangle past your fingertips.

Tellar.co.uk solves this maddening problem completely. It's the UK's leading sizing tool, and honestly, it's transformed how I help clients shop online.

How Tellar Works

1. Measure Once – Simply input your bust, waist, and hip measurements, or use your existing size in a brand you know fits well. Takes about two minutes, maximum.

2. Use the Store Size Lookup Tool – Get your precise size in over 1,500 brands instantly. Planning to buy that gorgeous merino from Arket? Tellar tells you exactly which size will fit your body. Eyeing a cashmere cardigan from Toast? You'll know your size before you click "add to basket."

3. Always Free – No app downloads, no subscription fees, no nonsense. It works straight in your browser and takes the guesswork out of online shopping completely.

The Tellar Fashion Hub

Beyond sizing, Tellar has built an incredible Fashion Hub—a library stacked with free posts from experienced stylists covering literally every fashion query you can imagine. Honest opinions, unbiased recommendations, and genuinely useful advice. Always free, always independent.

Some posts you might find helpful:

• The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide – Everything you need to know about measurements and fit

• Jeans Trends 2026 – What's in and what's out for denim

• Ultimate Guide to Dresses & Best Buys – Comprehensive dress advice for every body shape

• Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Best Buys – Find your perfect jacket style and fit

Stop wasting money on returns. Stop guessing your size. Start shopping with confidence at Tellar.co.uk—your body, exactly matched to 1,500+ brands, instantly.

Final Thoughts

The acrylic versus polyester versus natural fibre debate doesn't have a single winner—it depends entirely on your lifestyle, values, and budget. What I can tell you after years of styling women is this: quality matters more than fibre content alone. A beautifully constructed acrylic-blend jumper from Cos will serve you better than a poorly made "100% cashmere" from a fast-fashion brand.

Build thoughtfully, buy less, choose well. Your wardrobe—and the planet—will thank you.