It’s goodbye to the quarter-zip, says Aislinn Coffey …
We are calling time on the quarter-zip – it’s high time to go back to wearing a proper sweater. A crew or v-neck classic, preferably in refined lambswool or smooth merino, the nattier the better.
Brave types will emulate the generations of style setters – from Steve McQueen to Paul Mescal – who have donned statement knits and look for an “on the pulse” piece. They won’t have to search for long: quirky knits dominated the SS25 runways, from JW Anderson’s retro Guinness logos and Dior’s Flora and fauna illustrations (also starring designer Kim Jones’ beloved dog, Dexter).
For those who prefer something a little quieter, the focus should be on cut and quality. A subtle change in texture can also make a big difference to your look (bouclé is on trend). Knitted polo shirts in a soft-handle cotton or fine-gauge wool (short or long-sleeved) look polished, whether you style them with tailoring or denims, but sweaters are best served up with straight-leg trousers and loafers.
For work meetings, ideally keep it tonal: grey suit, grey knit polo shirt. Having lost their only-for-librarians status years ago, cardigans are a great off-duty option. Choose a textured or marl button-through cardi and wear open or closed over a collared cotton shirt. Look to labels like Marni and Cos for contemporary styling and choose wearable colours like navy, camel and tones of rust that go with pretty much everything.
Take good care: wash all knitwear at a low temperature and a low spin or hand wash in Woolite. Roll tightly in a towel to remove excess water, then dry flat.
Turquoise textured-knit cotton cardigan, €79, at Cos, 6-8 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2.
Blue and brown argyle wool sweater, Ami Paris, €452.02; www.cettire.com.
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