Why a hot knit is your staycation essential
THE words ‘summer knit’ are on the spectrum with ‘comfy slacks’ and ‘waterproof trousers’; they don’t inspire. i can’t say i’ve ever owned a summer knit that i can remember, let alone one that’s made a difference to my wardrobe.
We’re talking about a knitted cotton top (occasionally fine wool), usually short-sleeved, sometimes patterned, which you might wear with trousers, or a skirt, or shorts. Though why you’d want to has escaped me … until last month, when i tried on a zig-zag striped variation on a Breton top by Me+Em (£125, meandem.com).
i had to be coaxed, and now i’m coaxing you to give knits a chance.
i’d recommend this particular summer knit to anyone (although, realistically, maybe you need to be medium to small-chested) who is looking for a top that isn’t a shirt (too worky) or a poufy blouse (too dressy) or a buttonless decorative top (too party).
The unexpected virtues of it include puffed sleeves and lightly padded shoulders, which give you instant excellent deportment; a wobbledisguising midway-betweenarmpit-and-elbow short sleeve; and a wide, fitted hem that creates the illusion of a narrow waist and sits perfectly above a mid-to-high waistband.
it’s a little bit 1940s and a little bit 1970s (the zig-zag pattern helps), super flattering and, above all, useful.
NOW it’s my favourite thing to wear when the weather is warmish but not hot — so most of the time.
it’s perfect for summer days with khaki trousers, and for summer evenings with black wide-leg trousers and a bit of a heel. it looks good with a
narrow A-line skirt, and really good with silk palazzos, a narrow denim skirt or a sloppy long skirt with pockets.
Maybe that’s too much information about one modest top, but if summer knits have a frumpy reputation, and i think they do, i’m determined it ends here.
This particular top might not be your thing but, fortunately, there’s an almost endless supply to choose from.
Could designers have known we’d be spending summer holiday evenings in a breezy garden in the UK rather than poolside? & Other Stories does a ruffle-neck, puff-sleeved navy cardigan (£55, stories.com) that, kept buttoned up, works in a similar way to my magic Me+Em top.
Cos has something similar — an off-white short-sleeved cotton cardigan (£59, cosstores. com) with semi-sheer fine-knit panels and a flat collar.
And La redoute’s textured ivory and navy Breton-striped jumper (£42, laredoute.co.uk) is the perfect compromise if you want three-quarter sleeves. it comes with a pretty ruffle, too. Texture and/or pattern are what makes the difference between a pretty, sexy knit and a passion killer.
For a great range of ultrafeminine cotton knits (Bardot would have worn the lot), try Sezane. The French label appreciates that a well-fitted, textured cardigan, such as its Lola style in sky blue (£90, sezane.com) or the Philippe jumper in ecru (£90), worn buttoned up just enough, is a summer sizzler.
On the whole, you’re better off with a shorter sleeve, but some of Sezane’s long-sleeved styles are crying out to be worn now, with a floaty skirt and big earrings.
it might be worth giving the fine-knit polo shirt another chance; it’s more casual, but in ice pink and a neat cut (£65, broraonline.com), it’s nothing like the cardboard-stiff one your husband wears.
Me+Em does a cream and biscuit striped polo shirt with pearl buttons (£125, meandem. com) that would work well with navy tailoring. The key is to wear it fairly fitted and just overlapping your waistband.
if you don’t mind wool against your skin, there’s even more choice. Hush does an ecru open-knit top (£50, hushuk.com), which is more casual but looks good with jeans.
if you’re spending the summer here — and who isn’t? — a summer knit could make life a whole lot easier.