The cold weather knit takes many forms, says Aislinn Coffey, these are the new styles to note …
From Ralph Lauren’s preppy cable-knit classic sweaters to the unexpected return of the shawl-collar cardigans, the cold weather knit takes many forms.
A classic POLO-NECK SWEATER works as the basis for so many winter outfits – with jeans or under velvet tuxedo jackets, for evening. At entry level, Uniqlo’s fine merino wool polo-neck, €39.90, is a great buy. CARDIGANS, especially with shawl collars, are in, as seen on Jamie Dornan and Cillian Murphy who layer theirs over a denim shirt and T-shirt. Knitwear royalty like Inis Meáin, Gucci, The Elder Statesman, Loewe and Incotex set the standard.
Once the mercury drops, you just can’t beat a bit of cashmere: for reasonably priced FASHION-FORWARD SHAPES look online at Cos, Arket, Raey (at www.matchesfashion.com) and John Smedley. For value buys, check out Eleventy, N Peal and Johnston’s Of Elgin’s modern classics at Kildare Village (stock up on their crew-neck and V-neck pullovers). KNIT BLAZERS are also a surprise trend: check out the versions at Avoca (Selected Homme, €99), Marks & Spencer and Paul Smith (at Brown Thomas). They will look smart in the office over a button-down shirt.
When the weather gets cold, don’t forget to add finishing touches like a tone-on-tone (or colourful) scarf and nice pair of leather gloves. Finally to ensure longevity, fold, don’t hang your knitwear and machine wash on a low temperature.
Grey slim-fit shawl-collar ribbed wool cardigan, Incotex, €545; www.mrporter.com.
Navy knit cardigan blazer, Autograph, €72, at Marks & Spencer.
Navy wool cardigan blazer, Paul Smith, €470, at Brown Thomas.
Black cashmere polo shirt, €99, at Cos, 6-8 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2.
Dark green cashmere knit polo shirt, Autograph, €175, at Marks & Spencer.
Grey cable-knit wool/cashmere mix sweater, Polo Ralph Lauren, €219, at Brown Thomas.
Pale grey cable-knit cashmere crew-neck sweater, N Peal, from a selection, at Kildare Village.
