knitwear

Buy it now: & Daughter spring knits are here



& Daughter SS22 short sleeve sweater

It’s the season for… half-sleeve sweaters!

I call this in-between season ‘springshine’ – you get a bit of sunshine but there’s still a crisp ‘freshness’ in the air. So while I’m tempted to pull out my short-sleeve knits, I inevitably end up layering a cardigan on top. (Or at least over the shoulders Hooray-style.)

& Daughter has the answer with this Scottish-made lambswool Geelong T-shirt (above) – a looser, half-sleeve knit. (more…)



Shop the post: Twice as nice



double scarf styling

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” So said English walker Alfred Wainwright. (Or Billy Connolly, or lots of Norwegians, according to who you listen to.) If you agree and you’re reading this while sheltering from New York’s brutal winter, you have my sympathy. And a novel suggestion for staying warm; doubling up on neck wear.

This is something I used to do a lot, but I kind of forgot about it over the years. Wearing two scarves gives you double insulation as you’re trapping warmth in between the layers. The wider your scarves, the better as you’re then covering your whole neck as well as your ears.

Styling-wise, it gives you all sorts of options for colour, weight and texture play. For example, twist two complementary colours* together, wear a padded nylon scarf with a similar size wool one (above by Jil Sander* and Khaite*), or for minimal bulk, go for lighter-weight knits* (more…)



Shop the post: Sweaters are the new sweats



The Row AW21

If 2020 was all about sweats, I think autumn 2021 will be all about the return to sweaters. That comfort and cosiness is still our moda operandi but with an additional layer of polish. Here are a few of my recommendations…

ROLLNECKS. Slimfitting rollnecks are used as both a styling device and an extra layer. They look good in a contrasting colour to what’s worn on top, and I particularly love the contrast of a fitted rollneck under an oversized crew neck knit or shirt. Try COS for lightweight merino wool* and Brunello Cucinelli for winter white short sleeves*. (more…)



Shop the post: Where to buy the perfect cardigan



Thakoon cropped wool cardigan

Back when I worked full time on magazines, we had something called an office cardigan. I‘m not sure if that’s solely the domain of ‘fashion cupboards’, where random fashion samples routinely go unclaimed, but the – usually oversized, grandad style – cardigan would be duly summoned whenever the air con was a little over-zealous, or someone was feeling a bit hungover under the weather. Working from home though, my very own ‘office cardigan’ comes into its own. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s the most versatile part of a stay-home wardrobe.

There are so many things you can do with a granddad cardi. Tie it round your waist; Tie the sleeves round your neck like a scarf (or let Le 17 September* do the job for you); wear it school uniform-smart buttoned over a shirt, or layer a plain one over a stripy tee (a very ‘me’ look – I’d opt for Joseph’s camel number*). (more…)