Homespun fun for knits
WITTY EMBELLISHMENT and the reworking of traditional patterns and stitches bring a fresh vibe and a new sensibility to knits and elevate them from coldweather staples to fashion stars in A/W 21 wardrobes.
Important details this season include decorative collars, fringing, chains, slogans, cut-outs, spots, asymmetry, crochet and stripes of all kinds. The oversized silhouette continues and a “Christmas sweater” aesthetic comes through occasionally in crayon colours and “amusing” graphics.
With their innovative use of colour, pattern and texture, designers such as The Elder Statesman, Rose Carmine and British trio Molly Goddard, Matty Bovan and JW Anderson have played a role in making knits stratospherically covetable. Plus, of course, Chloe’s new creative director Gabriela Hearst, whose impossibly glamorous pieces in scrunchy-textured recycled cashmere endowed knits with must-have status while simultaneously reigniting the jumper-dress trend (and probably sending sales of shapewear soaring, too)
As well as the super-hot (in both senses) jumper dress, the waistcoat is the important new knit. A real wardrobe hero, a waistcoat (AKA tank top or knitted vest) instantly updates an autumn wardrobe while adding a cosy layer in changeable temperatures. Later on, it will provide warmth without bulk to keep blazers in play, as well as making a filmy blouse or midi dress wearable all winter.
Nail two trends at once with a knitted waistcoat in Fair Isle (Molly Goddard, £410 at Matches; Aspiga, £99; Boden, £80), as the traditional Shetland knit is itself an important trend. Other top stitches include Aran, cable, intarsia or anything that looks hand-knitted; granddad cardis; open-front cardis; slouchy V-neck boyfriend sweaters; ponchos, tunics and tabards.