SNOW STYLE REPORT
Neil Barrett’s merino jumper will keep your temperature on a level from chalet to bar and ensure you’re the most stylish man on the slopes
Bring extreme performance to your everyday winter wardrobe
After a hard day’s carving on the black runs, it’s only right to reward yourself with a shot (or three) of the local liquor. But even when facing a Siberian weather front, there are smarter options than hitting the après scene in layers of neon polymers.
For a more stylish source of insulation, look to Neil Barrett, a Milan-based Aussie with a rep for designing slick, sporty attire, which not only looks the part, but is engineered with technical prowess, too. This colourblock jumper – a highlight of his ski line – is a prime example of the brand’s style-meets-function ethos. It’s knitted from silky merino wool, which is rightfully considered a ‘super yarn’.
“Merino’s breathability, insulation, fast drying time, temperature regulation and anti-bacterial properties make it invaluable in winter,” says Patrick Michael Hughes, a professor at Parsons School of Design, New York. “If you’re a cold-weather sportsman, it should be your go-to.” And if your own ‘sport’ happens to resemble a brisk stroll from park to country pub, it should prove similarly adept.
Merino wool fibres also lack the itchiness of more inferior knits, so you won’t be subjected to prickly heat when leaning over a molten fondue pot. “The unique twist in merino gives it a super-soft texture so you can wear it next to your skin without irritation,” says Sarah Gresty, knitwear specialist at Central Saint Martins, London.
This particular pullover’s retro design – reminiscent of kitschy-cool ’ 70s styles – also makes it an infinitely more polished alternative to lurid fluoros. So, if you can’t match your chalet comrades’ piste skills, you’ll at least beat them in the style slalom. £390 neilbarrett.com