Clockwise from bottom left: a model wears the Gray and Willow roll neck slim arm tunic dress and Linea Faye straight leg trousers, from houseof fraser.co.uk; a model wears the Genevieve Sweeney Detta pointelle slouch jumper, from genevievesweeney.com; a m

When it comes to winter woollies, a plain pullover just won’t cut it any more. Katie Wright reveals the yarns to yearn for right now

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but even though the shops are pushing spring trends already, we’ve still got a hefty whack of dreary weather to get through. There is, however, a sartorial cure and it doesn’t involve just throwing on the thickest jumper you can find.

Knitwear has really come into its own this season, with all kinds of woollies being given the fashion-forward treatment.

These are the snuggly but stylish pieces that will make bundling up anything but boring...

THE STAND-OUT SWEATER

Sequins during the day don’t really work this side of Christmas. But textured detailing feels oh-so-right, and takes a simple jumper into much chic-er territory.

Think fringing, fluff, cabling and tapework – pair with simple jeans and boots to let the embellished piece take centre stage.

– Sosandar multi-colour tape cable knit jumper, £59; black leather zip pocket pencil skirt, £139 (www.sosandar. com)

– Lost Ink The Bee embellished grey jumper, £31.50 (Littlewoods.com)

– Designed by Twiggy navy fringe jumper, £49.50, Marks & Spencer (www. marksandspencer.com)

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

Inspired by the innovative shapes seen on recent catwalks, knitwear has been spliced, split, tied and generally rehashed on the high street.

Side splits mean a chunky jumper hangs better on the body, while a loose knot adds interest to an otherwise ordinary knit – it’s all in the details.

– Paisie knitted vest with side splits, £32; checked peg leg trousers, £88 (www.paisie.com)

– Mint Velvet stripe knot tie detail jumper, £69 (www.mintvelvet.co.uk)

– Autograph ribbed tie front jumper, £45, Marks & Spencer (www. marksandspencer.com)

IT’S A LONG STORY

From thigh-skimming tunics to midi dresses, longline knits are gorgeously cosy, and you can style them up.

Pair a tunic with wet-look leggings or ripped jeans, or team a ribbed dress with statement boots.

– Sosandar deep split tunic jumper, £45; leather look front panel leggings, £39; leather snake print knee boots, £120 (www.sosandar.com)

– Gray and Willow roll neck slim arm tunic dress, £30; Linea Faye texture straight leg trousers, £22, House of Fraser (www.houseoffraser.co.uk)

THE COMEBACK KNIT

Cardigans were pretty much cast into the fashion wilderness a few years ago, but now they’re back, and we’re mighty glad about it.

“Long and languid” is the mantra this time round – your cardi should fall at the very least to mid-thigh, while buttons make way for belt ties (or no tie at all).

– Paisie fine knit ribbed long cardigan, £70; wide legged fine knit ribbed trousers with tie belt, £55 (www.paisie. com)

– East stripe edge to edge cardigan, £99 (www.east.co.uk)