Knitwear Tips, Plus The Best To Shop

I’m going to be real for a minute — most jumpers have the potential to look either completely daggy or effortlessly cool. It all comes down to styling and accessorising. Take a highly praised Uniqlo knit, for example: if you judge it solely by its hanger appeal, shape, or detailing, it’s honestly nothing groundbreaking. What makes it look modern and chic is how you wear it. This applies to most knitwear — because even the most luxurious, expensive jumper can look uninspiring when styled poorly. There, I said it. Now let’s move on to the good stuff.

Over the years, I’ve developed a few basic rules I swear by when buying new knits, and they’ve never steered me wrong.

First, choose natural fibres over synthetics. Wool, cotton, or cashmere will always look, feel, and wear better than acrylic or polyester. Blends are okay, as long as the primary fabric is natural.

Second, a knit is only as good as how you care for it. Always fold, never hang. Hand wash when possible, or use a gentle cycle, and lay flat to dry. I also keep wardrobe moisture absorbers on hand to prevent musty smells.

Third, don’t get hung up on your usual size. Depending on the fabric, style, and silhouette, you may need to size up or down. Personally, I often size up in basic knitwear — for instance, I buy a size M at Uniqlo, even though I’m usually an XS. But if I’m going for a more fitted merino knit that I want to tuck into a skirt or pants, I’ll choose my regular size. The key is to experiment with sizing.

Coming back to my original point: knitwear really comes to life through styling. I don’t just mean jewellery (although that helps too), but how you put an outfit together. Think: a belt for a half-tucked jumper, a white crew neck tee peeking out from under a cardigan or V-neck, a slouchy sleeve that shows off a bracelet or watch, baggy denim to modernise a basic wool jumper, a structured coat over a slim-fit knit, or even something unexpected like track pants or leggings with a chunky jumper. The idea is to play — because, let’s face it, on its own, a jumper can be pretty dull.

This season I’m loving the Cos cashmere chunky crew-neck knit, which is pretty faultless in terms of fit, feel and fabric. I also stand by the Uniqlo lambswool knits for ease-of-wear and price, although sizing up is key, and both Witchery and & Other Stories, who make reliably good and affordable knitwear every season — this jumper and this cardigan are must-buys for me.

Now, to shop!