Long gone are the days when cardigans were the preserve of grandparents. To see how far the humble cardie has evolved, look no further than some of the bright colours and eye-catching patterns out there. All show how adaptable a cardigan can be, and how it can be an essential layering piece for the months ahead. A good cardigan works just as well thrown over a T-shirt on a warm day as it does underneath a coat or jacket when the temperature takes a tumble.

Considering how useful they are for layering also means that cardigans offer a chance to inject some details or colour into your outfit. Don’t feel constrained by the old, sober rules of knitwear – instead, take this as a chance to introduce something fun. Try signature knitwear from AMI PARIS or Acne Studios, a collared option from Our Legacy or a classic take from the likes of Boglioli. Just stick to lighter materials for maximum breeziness.

Worn in the summer, a knitted polo can transport you to the Italian Riviera (figuratively),with big The Talented Mr Ripley energy. And while we’re not quite there yet – at least, outside our heads – this versatile piece is perfectly suited to spring, too. Sitting somewhere between a shirt and a sweater, it can be dressed up or down and works just as well hanging open over a tee or tank top as when it’s buttoned all the way up. What we’re trying to say is: a knitted polo can be worn pretty much whenever and however you want.

Should you be feeling very optimistic, there are short-sleeved options available. For a more seasonally appropriate swing at the style, a lightweight cashmere offering from Guest In Residence would elevate any look. Valentino Garavani’s take taps into the rugby-shirt trend, while Casablanca goes one further with crystal embellishments.

Invest in a vest. It’s an all-season essential when it comes to layering, but spring is perhaps the best time for one to really come into its own. And the sheer number of ways to wear it make it a key piece. Sport yours on its own or over a short-sleeved tee and feel the sun on your exposed skin. It could be thrown over a shirt or under a blazer or blouson jacket. In short, it’s an all-rounder.

Examples of the knitted vest are as diverse as uses for it. A cable-knit piece by Mr P., for example, is an easy device for bringing texture to an outfit. (Also familiarise yourself with Mr P.’s newly launched SS25 collection, which offers a range of styles.) A V-neck in white with a contrast trim, such as this cricket-inspired item by CELINE HOMME, taps into its sporting pedigree. And while you could embrace the vest as a mechanism for a pep of pattern, a lightweight button-up number in an off-white by Corridor or a fuzzy Oliver Spencer classic in a deep grey can give you the freedom to be more experimental with other pieces.

From philosophers via beatniks to tech visionaries, the rollneck sweater has forever been the uniform of the outsider. Fittingly, this sense of the outside is woven into its history. Entire generations have turned to the rollneck for its utilitarian purposes, offering protection to fishermen and sailors as they face the unpredictable weather at sea. Chances are you’re not coming up against anything that extreme. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still consider the rollneck a menswear classic and a wardrobe essential.

Yes, one will offer maximum protection from the cold, should the temperature dip. But don’t discount its other strengths. It can be a key player in layering, while also elevating a look. A cashmere piece by Saman Amel or Mr P. will certainly help with the latter, as will TOM FORD’s merino take or ZEGNA’s cashmere-and-silk blend. It pays to look towards premium fabrics, since this will be an item to keep close to you – and your neck.

Sitting in a Goldilocks zone of never being too hot nor too cold, cashmere has the bonus quality of its silky-soft feel. What’s more, it is both lightweight and durable, hence its exalted status within the field of knitwear. Limited global supplies of the raw fibre, obtained from cashmere or pashmina goats, only bumps up its desirability. Factoring all this in, it’s no wonder you can expect to pay a premium for cashmere textiles.

Despite the age gap between PIACENZA 1733 and The Elder Statesman – some 274 years – both labels have established themselves as go-tos for cashmere. Likewise, Saman Amel and CELINE HOMME are two names you can trust with this rarified material, each with their distinctive take on knitwear.