Sweaters and jumpers: how to choose

How to choose sweaters and jumpers

Start with the neckline, because it shapes both the face and the way a knit sits under outerwear. A round neck is the calmest choice: it stays neat under a jacket and works with tailored trousers or denim. A V neck opens the collarbone and gives you room for a collared shirt underneath. A square neck frames the collarbone with a more considered line, while a high collar or turtleneck holds warmth at the throat and looks sharp with a blazer. A hood adds a relaxed finish and is useful on cool mornings.

Think about the cut next. Slim knits follow the shoulders and sleeves without bulk, so they are easy under a coat or blazer. Loose and relaxed cuts leave room through the body for a tee or a fine roll neck, and they suit weekends, desk days and layering. A roomy hooded shape is the most casual of the group, while a cable knit or openwork surface brings texture without changing the line. If you want one knit to do several jobs, choose a plain shape and let the neckline or colour carry the look.

Our size notes ask you to take your usual size, or size up if you fall between sizes: the knits are listed as running one to two sizes smaller than EU and US sizing, with a small measurement difference between sizes. If you are choosing between two, take the larger one. The round neck cotton knit is offered in one size and runs small, so read its notes with particular care. For a layer over a shirt, favour the looser cuts; for a layer under a coat, favour the closer ones.

Materials, details and fit

Materials change how a knit feels and how you wear it. Cotton gives a clean, breathable surface, as in the cotton pullover hoodie and the 100% cotton round neck knit. Acrylic brings warmth and texture to the loose cable knit and the square neck button knit. Polyester appears in the thick knit pullover and the core spun yarn pullover, where it supports shape and a smooth face. Modal gives the hooded sweater a fluid drape, and mohair brings a soft halo to the leopard print knit. A little spandex in the round neck knit and the high-collar cotton blend lets those pieces move with you.

Look at the details that affect daily wear. Hoods add warmth at the neck and suit easy weekends. Long sleeves that finish at the wrist keep the line tidy under a coat. A button detail can draw the eye without fuss, and spliced panels or openwork stitching add quiet interest. Weight matters too: a 500 g cotton hoodie feels substantial, a medium-weight turtleneck drapes cleanly, and a lightweight knit layers easily under outerwear. Use these clues to match the piece to the way you plan to wear it.

Fit is not only about size. A slim fit sits close through the body and works best as a base layer. A loose cut leaves room for a tee or shirt, while a relaxed cut with dropped shoulders reads more casual. Check the length as well: a hip-length knit works with high-waisted trousers, and a shorter 50 cm length sits neatly with midi skirts or wide-leg denim. If you fall between sizes across our knits, take the larger size, as the size notes advise.

How to style them

For city days, keep the palette grounded and let the knit do the textural work. Wear the round neck knit over tailored trousers or denim, with a coat that follows the same clean line. The high-collar cotton blend sits close under a blazer and works with straight-leg trousers. The fleece turtleneck is warm enough for a commute and neat enough for the office, especially in a solid tone. Add a simple pendant or small hoops if you want a little shine at the neck.

For weekends, lean into the looser shapes. The cotton pullover hoodie works with denim, joggers or relaxed trousers, and the modal hooded sweater layers easily over a cotton tee with denim. The hooded plush sweater sits well beside denim, cream or charcoal. The thick knit round neck pullover leaves room for a tee or a fine roll neck underneath, so it is useful for autumn errands and weekend walks. The cable knit V neck can go over a collared shirt with jeans and ankle boots for a weekend lunch.

For a softer or more polished outfit, try the square neck button knit with a slip skirt or tailored trousers; the square collar opens the neck and balances the relaxed body. The leopard print knit brings pattern to jeans, tailoring or a slip skirt, and its roomy cut keeps the line easy. The core spun yarn pullover falls straight from the shoulder to the hip, so it works over a shirt on a cold morning and under a coat when you go out. Keep the rest of the outfit quiet when the knit is textured or printed.

Care and storage

Always follow the care label on the piece, because the fibres and the knit structure decide what it needs. As a general habit, wash knits less often than you wash T-shirts, and air them between wears. Turn cotton and polyester pieces inside out before washing, use a cool or gentle cycle where the label allows, and avoid wringing or twisting the fabric. Reshape the knit while it is damp and dry it flat, away from direct heat.

Fold knits rather than hanging them, so the shoulders keep their shape. Store them clean and fully dry in a dry place, and keep rough fastenings or hooks away from openwork and soft surfaces. For hooded pieces, smooth the hood and pockets before folding so they do not press creases into the knit. If a piece has a button detail, check the buttons before storage and fasten them lightly so the front sits flat.

Give textured knits a little more room in the drawer or on the shelf, and do not stack heavy pieces on top of soft mohair or openwork. A fabric shaver can remove small pills from a smooth knit, but use it gently and only on a flat surface. If you are unsure about a stain or a fibre, ask a professional cleaner rather than experimenting at home. Good care keeps the neckline, cuffs and hem looking tidy for longer.

Standout pieces

• Round Neck Knit Sweater: A clean round neckline, four shades and spandex listed in the main composition make this a measured layer over tailored trousers or denim.
• Loose Cable Knit V-Neck Sweater: Cable knit texture, a V neckline and long sleeves give this acrylic sweater its character, with a loose cut for layering over a tee or collared shirt.
• Modal Hooded Sweater: Modal gives this hooded sweater a smooth, fluid hand, and the roomy hood adds a relaxed finish at the neckline.
• Thick Knit Round Neck Pullover: A thick polyester knit in a loose line, with macaron tones in light gray, dark green, brown and pink and a 50 cm length.
• Leopard Print Knit Sweater: A leopard print worked in a soft mohair knit with a gentle halo, openwork stitching and a roomy cut through the bust.