SPOTLIGHT ON

The patterned jumpers you need now

14 November 2018

The carefree summer days of Hawaiian shirts, bold printed T-shirts and weightless linen suits are over, and moments of hibernation, layering and bulky knitwear are here to stay (for now, at least). But that’s the beauty of winter: it’s a good season for the waistline but an even better season for the wardrobe. And a key rule for every winter outfit? To inject colour and a bit of excitement into what’s likely to be a palette of dark greys and blues with plenty of blacks mixed in there for good measure. The best way to do that? A patterned jumper. This staple has been a fail-safe for men all over the world, no matter how sartorially serious they are, for decades – and for good reason. Plus, it’s never too early to stock up on Christmas jumpers, is it? Here’s how to make yours count:

SHOP ALL JUMPERS

The simple zip up

Not only is the half-zip jumper one of the more classic looks a man can adopt, it’s also one of the easiest to wear. Whether you’re chucking this on top of your shirt and underneath a suit for your workday commute or wearing it with jeans and a T-shirt at the weekend, it’s a fail-safe piece that always looks good. This modern take on a Fair Isle is perfect for men looking to elevate their winter wardrobes without going to the extreme: the simple but effective combination of navy and green makes it perfect for any Christmas occasion, and be sure to pair it with lighter colours to draw in just the right amount of attention.

The bold round neck

If you take to colour and pattern like a duck to water, this is the one for you. Bold, bright and the perfect shade of head-turning red, this jumper has everything you need in a winter print. Best worn with muted, darker tones, a piece like this is perfect for occasions from Christmas morning to brisk winter walk or a trip to the pub. If you’re going to add like colours, make sure you only do so with a hat or a scarf – you don’t want to detract from the jumper’s brilliance by clashing it with too many similar tones.

The classic roll neck

All winter long you’ll hearing us waxing lyrical about the fondness we have for a classic roll neck, and a simple but eye-catching iteration like this one is perfect for gentlemen looking to mix things up for the festive season. Classic enough to wear everyday, but still with enough personality to stand out from the crowd, a piece like this is best worn with darker tailored trousers or lightweight chinos or jeans. It’s bulky, so make sure the rest of your outfit is as streamlined as possible, and don’t be afraid to add a bold accessory to really help it stand out.