THE JOURNAL
This moment in time has you in a bind. We’re now in spring – not just meteorologically but also astronomically. Everywhere you look, plants are going gangbusters, with exploding blooms, vivid chlorophyl greens – and the air thick with pesky pollen. The world seems to have shifted from sepia to glorious technicolour and so the temptation with your wardrobe is to follow suit. Only, as bright as it appears in the sky, the sun isn’t at full tilt just yet. Which is where knitted layers come in.
Sweaters, cardigans and vests aren’t just easy to pull on or off – they can lift an outfit, offering texture and colour. They can be a statement piece or a pop peeking out from under a coat or jacket. And when woven from natural materials such as wools and silks, they boast temperature-regulating properties, ensuring you feel warm when you need it, but not too much so when you don’t.
A change of season calls for not just a change of clothing, but a change of tone. Here are eight bright knitwear ideas for your spring rotation.
01. The Polo Ralph Lauren Fair Isle vest
There’s a folksy, 1970s feel to this V-neck vest by Polo Ralph Lauren. More Open University lecturer than The Wicker Man, mind. Fair Isle, not the fictional Summerisle. That said, the lightweight cotton-linen blend and jolly yellow motifs nod to the cycle of nature cranking into life and the spring awakening of pagan lore.
02. The BODE Merton cotton and wool-blend sweater
03. The PIACENZA 1733 cotton and silk-blend sweater
As the date suggests, PIACENZA 1733 has seen many a spring in its time – more than most Italian makers, certainly. And being constructed from a blend of cotton and silk, the handle of this piece is a soft as this shade of pink.
04. The Versace Mouliné zip-up cardigan
A cardigan is about the most versatile layer you could grab at this time of the year. A zip only ups the utility. Only, since this is Versace, practicality isn’t the chief concern. The colour is a rich navy with contrasting yellow detailing, including the signature Meander pattern. The material itself is a blend of wool, silk, linen and cotton.
05. The Jil Sander dégradé wool sweater
For a more subdued approach to colour, try Jil Sander. This tone-on-tone dégradé is about as elaborate a feature as you will get from the minimalist brand. A clean, slightly relaxed piece, knitted in Italy from 100 per cent wool.
06. The TOM FORD silk sweater
07. The Auralee Summer cashmere sweater
This breezy sweater from Auralee has the brighter days ahead firmly in its sights. Not just the cheery yellow stripe, but also the fine-gauge cashmere construction, with its soft handle and fluid drape.
08. The Human Made intarsia wool-blend sweater
What does this sweater think it’s playing at? A soft wool-blend raglan sweater from Human Made, jacked up – as it were – with motifs drawn from a deck of cards. Take a punt and go all-in on it.