Wrap yourself up in knitwear
by SUSANNAH CONWAY, femail.co.uk
One of the best things about the return to autumn dressing after months
spent in flip flops and vests is the chance to wrap yourself up in something
warm and cosy.
At this time of year it's not cold enough to dust off your
winter coat yet, but a denim jacket just won¿t cut it either.
This weekend take a stroll down your local high street and check out this
season's fantastic new knitwear.
Whether you fancy a cable knit poloneck, a
long belted cardigan or a cropped boxy sweater to wear over jeans there's
something for everyone.
Click on the picture gallery link in the blue box below to see our pick
of the best of the new knits.
The big trends for autumn 2003 can be seen translated into knitwear -
monochrome stripes look bold and 60s, slouchy batwing jumpers fit with the
80s revival, while hounds check and tweed look great made into chunky
cover-ups.
A long-line cardigan worn as a coat is indispensable when you're inside but there's a chill
in the air. when
Likewise, a beaded cardigan can be dressed down with jeans for a weekend lunch or
dressed up with a tweed skirt for the office or a night out.
Humans have been wearing wool for centuries as nothing can match its ability
to keep you warm while letting the skin breath.
The type of wool you choose
depends on how sensitive your skin is. Cashmere is the most tolerated wool
as the fibres are soft and silky, lambswool and merino wool are fairly comfortable and angora and mohair is the most difficult to wear.
Luckily, cashmere knits are no longer the preserve of ladies who lunch and
Chelsea girls - stores such as Marks & Spencer and Jigsaw are now selling
cashmere at much more affordable price while pashminas have become a fashion
classic.
Be sure to get your cashmere professionally dry cleaned to add
years to the garment's life.
However, if you find even the most minimal inclusion of wool in your woolly
jumper leaves you itching, try a fine knit made out of cotton or silk.
Stores such as Warehouse, Oasis and Zara can always be relied upon to have
classic V-necks and crew necks.
When investing in knitwear that you want to wear for more than one season
stick to neutral colours such as ivory, camel and cream, classic black or
rich autumnal colours such as chocolate, olive green and burgundy.
Finally, a word about storage: never hang knits on coat hangers as they will
quickly become misshapen. Instead, fold them up as they do in Benetton and
store them on shelves with cedar blocks to prevent moths.
And no matter how
much you love that old jumper, if the fabric has begun to pill and the shape
is saggy, get rid of it and treat yourself to a new jumper to fall in love
with all over again.
