Like button-down shirts, jeans, or a leather jacket, good knitwear pieces are the foundation of a chic and complete wardrobe. Best in natural fibres, staple designs like cable knit, Fair Isle and Argyle are (partly thanks to Claudia Winkleman’s The Traitors outfits) decidedly back this winter. Trends like Poetcore and Golf Grandad mean that all things woven, cosy and slightly preppy are top of our wishlists.
Classic styles, like the aforementioned cable knit, Fair Isle and Argyle, give every outfit a sense of heritage, but not all knitwear trends for this winter moving into spring are as traditional, with zip-front, novelty and graphic-print cardigans all being embraced by cool girls.
From British-based brands, through to our well-loved high-street below the Grazia fashion team have tested out the knitwear trends to try now.
Graphic Prints
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Independent British brand Hades is leading the charge with printed knitwear. Beloved by Paul Mescal, Tilda Swinton, and Alexa Chung, Hades’ cardigans and jumpers suggest a level of intelligence and sophistication the wearer may or may not possess (in my case, the latter). Whether referencing Greek mythology or fashion history, these 100% lambswool knits are as edifying as they are aesthetically pleasing.
HadesMuster the beauty of Aphrodite herself with this lambswool cardigan.
Striped Knit
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‘Whether you associate stripes with preppy sailor designs, or consider them a stylish French girl staple, there’s no denying the understated appeal of a striped jumper,’ Grazia‘s Deputy Commerce Editor, Hitanshi Kamdar, says. ‘Despite the print, striped jumpers and cardigans feel minimalist enough to slot seamlessly into any wardrobe. While I largely swear by monochrome designs because of how easy they are to layer over jeans and with tailoring alike, plenty of brands offer brighter iterations that add a perfect pop of colour to neutral winterwear.’
M&SClassics are just that for a reason, and M&S’ striped, cashmere jumper will quickly become a most-worn in your closet.
Zip Cardigan
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‘A zipped funnel neck is a playful way to elevate a cardigan.’ Amber Backhouse, Grazia’s Fashion Assistant, explains. ‘While it looks like an expensive design, my high street heroes, including COS, Arket and M&S, all have iterations I’d add to basket.’
ArketIf your style leans modern and minimalist, a zip-front cardigan is a must-have.
Cable Knit
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‘A classic cable knit jumper is a quiet hero in any winter wardrobe,’ Grazia‘s Fashion Writer, Renee Washington, says. ‘Its woven texture is polished enough to wear solo, yet understated enough to layer effortlessly over a crisp white shirt for a preppy finish. Opt for timeless shades like beige, grey, or navy, and invest in high-quality, natural fibres – these will stand the test of time and can be rotated seamlessly year after year.’
CosCable knits add texture and a sense of craft to every ensemble. This cream version from Cos would work as well with a kilt for work as it would with denim on the weekend.
Novelty Knit
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‘As someone who prefers summer’s colourful dress codes over winter’s pared-back style brief, I’ve long been drawn to embroidered and embellished knits,’ Kamdar explains. ‘While I relish festive novelty knits over Christmas, my usual rotation leans towards elevated yet playful designs. Take, for example, SS Daley’s viral duck cardigans, Bode’s craft-forward designs or House of Sunny’s ode to pets. It’s the perfect way to add a touch of personality to your rotation and look good doing it.’
Net-A-PorterInvesting in Harry Styles-backed fashion brand S.S. Daley is easy when the styles are so adorable.
Fair Isle Knit
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‘I’m honestly so glad to see the return of Fair Isle,’ Gemma Lavers, Grazia‘s Commercial Content Writer, explains. ‘A couple of years ago, people thought Fair Isle was dated, but I think it’s one of those trends that will keep reinventing itself in lots of different colours and modern styles. I like to wear mine as an alternative to a Christmas jumper, as it’s an investment you can wear beyond the day itself and well into the rest of winter by styling it with jeans and a colourful cashmere neck scarf.’
BroraLet’s look to the Queen of Fair Isle knits, Claudia Winkleman’s favourite knit brand, Brora. Knit from a alpaca-merino blend, this jumper is one you can keep forever.
Colourful Cardigans
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A punchy-hued cardigan has become my go-to styling trick almost the entire year through. &Daughter’s Ada Crewneck cardigan comes in poppy red, pickle green and more colours that can be layered ad finitum – I’ve worn mine over cotton dresses in summer and suiting come winter.
&DaughterSpun in Scotland, this lambswool cardigan comes in an array of colours and is beloved by influencers and editors alike.
Argyle Knit
‘If you find yourself in a knitwear rotation of black and grey crew necks, may I suggest considering an Argyle check jumper as an easy alternative that’ll add a little interest to your go-to jeans-and-a-jumper outfit?’ Grazia‘s Shopping Editor, Julia Harvey, says. ‘Plus, Argyle checks have been around forever, so you’re guaranteed to wear your jumper year after year; this is a true investment. Look to Ganni for joyful multi-coloured versions or try Pringle for classic colourways that’ll slip seamlessly into your wardrobe.’
Daisy Murray is Grazia’s Fashion Commerce Editor. Previously ELLE UK’s Fashion Site Editor, Daisy has interviewed fashion icons such as Sarah Jessica Parker, profiled designers like Cecilie Bahnsen, and written features on vintage shopping and hypey trends alike. Find her on Instagram and TikTok here.
