Knitwear is “an unpleasant name for a very pleasing category of garment,” wrote Sir Hardy Amies, in his 1964 style manualABC of Men’s Fashion. The Savile Row luminary found particular joy in the sweater, of which “no one ever thinks he has too many in his wardrobe.”
More than five decades on, Sir Hardy’s words continue to ring true. As we head into winter proper, the benefits of a warm, woollen jumper or cardigan cannot be overstated, nor can its variety be overlooked. A fine-gauge Italian-spun cashmere crew is an elegant, understated thing, whereas a tactile roll-neck from the Aran Isles is all-encompassing in its heritage style. Same garment, different styles, but both these and myriad other knitwear styles warrant a place in the wardrobe of every man. Practically speaking, most of us only have so much closet space (and only so much cash to spend), which is why we’ve narrowed it down to just five knitwear essentials, which you’ll find below.
The cashmere sweater
When people talk of making sartorial investments, cashmere is often the type of thing they mean. Obtained from the fleece of the cashmere goat, cashmere is finer and softer than sheep’s wool, but makes up less than one percent of the world’s wool production. This scarcity and premium feel is what warrants cashmere’s elevated price tag, but as with most things in life, you get exactly what you pay for. Cifonelli, the Parisian tailoring house, offers a typically exacting take on the cashmere crew neck. Knitted with a basket-weave front and a plain back and sleeves, it’s precisely the sort of garment to slip on underneath one of the brand’s lovingly-crafted jackets – you know, the ones withthatshoulder. For more everyday wear, Johnstons of Elgin offers a stand-out line of 2-ply cashmeres in earthy, autumnal tones, which work well with denim or a pair of flannel trousers.
