Perfect pairing: Johnstons of Elgin

Johnstons of Elgin cashmere socks

My unexpected best buys of last year were these Scottish woollens and cashmeres from Johnstons of Elgin.

A bonus perk from visiting the Johnstons of Elgin weaving facilities in Scotland, they were scooped up rather too gleefully from the factory shop. The irony is that the day we visited was bonny and sunny, rather than dour and damp as expected. But I knew these purchases would be a sensible buy and I was right.

The woollen knitwear is perfect, in unfussy menswear cuts, classic proportions and beautifully made (in Hawick, up in the Scottish Borders). I’m extremely choosy about my sweaters and don’t like a ‘feminine’ cut where the silhouette is fitted and the ribbing is too narrow. I surprised myself by resisting grey and navy in lieu of tan and bubblegum pink, but I’ve worn these loads.

And to go with, I lucked out on these Johnstons of Elgin cashmere socks – wonderfully warm, in gentle colours that are such a good match for the jumpers. Worn with my uniform of 501s and Church’s grained brogues, they’re a subtle but elevating detail. (Heads-up: Prada just showed girls in chunky knitted legwear with velvet sandals on the AW16-17 menswear runway so you can get a head start here…)

You can buy Johnstons of Elgin knitwear here, and the socks from here and here.