Mastering Knitwear: Your Ultimate Winter Style Guide

Winter is here, and it’s time to embrace the cozy charm of knitwear. From sweaters and turtlenecks to knitted skirts, cardigans, and warm blankets, knitwear is the ultimate winter staple. As someone who may not be a rap star but certainly knows a thing or two about staying warm in style, I’m thrilled that designers have finally catered to the needs of those braving the Russian winter by making knitwear fashionable. So, let’s dive into how to build a stylish knitwear wardrobe without falling victim to shapeless, low-quality sweaters.

Understanding Knitwear

First, a brief dive into fabric theory, because modern style is all about knowledge, not just eye-catching outfits. The word ‘knitwear’ is a beautiful French term that refers to knitted garments. If you’re familiar with French beyond the wine list, you know that ‘tricoter’ means ‘to knit,’ and that’s where we begin.

By default, knitwear is soft, elastic, warm, and pleasant to the touch, making it perfect for winter. Knit fabric consists of loops, so it’s not quite a fabric in the traditional sense. It typically includes wool, silk, cotton, elastin, down, and synthetic fibers in cheaper alternatives.

You, Me, and Geometry

All stylish girls have already learned an important rule of a chic look: mixing different prints. This season, designers are teaching us geometry and encouraging us to mix clothing with different patterns. Céline loves such experiments, making them almost a signature of the fashion house in 2018.

The more graphics in your outfit, the better. A striped skirt and a diamond-patterned sweater? Yes, please! Stripes, checks, tic-tac-toe, intricate patterns—all are welcome. The only rule: if you prefer a monochrome outfit, don’t forget to add a bright accessory.

Country Style

The spring-summer 2018 collections from fashion giants like Dior and Chloé have brought country style into the spotlight, giving us a great reason to wear knitwear differently. This look wasn’t inspired by glossy magazines but by a wonderful sweater I found at Zara with colorful patterns that would beautifully diversify my monotonous wardrobe.

If you, like me, dream of breaking free from the all-consuming black color, try the country style. You’re sure to have a pair of blue jeans lying around. Dior’s creative director approves.

Cosmic Total-White

The cosmic total-white trend wasn’t my invention but Rag & Bone’s, who released a collection inspired by ‘Star Wars.’ This hype has made the trend a must-have for the cold season. While we all dream of white, I personally recommend trying this cosmic odyssey this winter to step out of your comfort zone.

Elegant Look

A feminine look with an angora sweater gracefully slid onto me from the pages of Harper’s Bazaar. It’s simple: a short-sleeved sweater, a midi skirt, noble colors, and Chanel jewelry as accessories. This is the kind of knitwear piece you should add to your wardrobe because it’s at least elegant.

A few words about angora: someone in your family probably had a soft, fluffy sweater that constantly shed. If this rings a bell, you know angora. This material includes knitwear and rabbit fur, but that’s if we’re talking about natural and expensive clothing. In reality, this luxury is often mixed with cheaper fibers to make it more accessible. Keeping it in good condition is harder, but visually, it’s almost indistinguishable from natural angora.

Oversized for Any Budget

When building your knitwear collection, don’t overlook the oversized sweater. It can help your summer dress stay relevant even in winter. It’s a useful piece—warm, cozy, but you’ll need to work on the style. For example, a summer dress might not be original, but a Prada-style checked midi skirt is a hit. Zara has plenty of such skirts, and you can even knit the sweater yourself.

Your New Boyfriend

If you’re going to have a boyfriend, it might as well be for his clothes. This type of homo sapiens isn’t used to skimping on warm clothes, so the cashmere content in a man’s sweater is much higher than the chance of a happy ending for the relationship itself. But if you don’t have a boyfriend, definitely get a boyfriend sweater, which, by the way, looks great with bright skirts, silk dresses, and unusual boots.

For more inspiration, check out this authoritative source.