Why a Knitted Vest is a Layering Essential
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In round and V-neck cuts, soft cashmere and insulating merino wool, knitted vests are a key player in autumn and winter wardrobes and the secret to bulk-free layering.

Nothing heralds autumn’s arrival and winter’s approach like layering. A decidedly different affair to spring and summer’s lightweight fabrics and minimal styling, layering in bulk-free fashion is notoriously difficult to navigate. Not so when a knitted vest is in your sartorial arsenal. A year-round stalwart, the piece comes into its own the moment the mercury drops, slotting in alongside dramatic balloon-sleeve blouses and ruffle-trimmed necklines with effortless elan.

While those that call the other side of the Pond home or binge-watched a certain award-winning 90s sitcom, the sweater vest might have had a certain grandad, less-than-cool reputation, but in recent years it’s shaken off these associations, favouring instead directional looks with a preppy twist while garnering designer knitwear status.

Discover why we’re dubbing this women’s knitwear staple a layering essential and cold-weather hero.

Boldly Coloured Ones Instantly Uplift and Brighten an Autumnal Look

Proving that autumn and a bold colour palette are anything but mutually exclusive, a knitted sweater vest in an eye-catching hue instantly uplifts and brightens your seasonal looks, layered over long-sleeved shirts, printed blouses, or sleeveless, ruffle-trimmed camis.

Our Cashmere Clean Edge V-Neck Vest (Oct 2/Autumn) is spun from a midweight blend of 7gg cashmere knitted in a classic plain stitch. Breathable by nature, the yarn is dyed with a bold pop-purple shade that complements other pieces from our Autumn collection while brightening classic cold-weather pairings - think dark-wash denim, cotton shirts, tailored trousers and silk blouses.

Topped with the same neat V-neckline but accompanied by a line of buttons working their way through the centre, our Merino Cashmere Button Through Vest (Nov) brings a feminine softness to edgier pieces like leather trousers or dramatic shearling jackets.

They Keep Dramatic Sleeves on Display

A knitted vest ensures an attention-commanding silhouette or ornate detailing stays on display.

Crafted from a combination of merino wool for warmth and structure and luxurious cashmere, our swing vests (Oct 2 / Autumn) are the definition of luxury knitwear and celebrate a classic black colourway and a deep, autumn-leaning Bordeaux one, the latter introducing a rich, bold shade to this season’s outfitting. Their sleeveless cut is precisely designed to line up with the shoulder seams of our blouses and layering tops.

With the same effect, our Merino Cashmere Mouline Vest + Snood (Nov) celebrates a soft lemon shade that speaks to spring and summer’s colour palettes while locking in heat and complementing statement sleeves.

They strike the perfect casual-yet-considered balance

Combine the structure of a tailored suit with the tactility of a knitted vest and the result is a look that relaxes the former while elevating the latter. 

Sitting in the sartorial sweet spot, our Merino Cashmere Button Through Vest (Nov) in a soft creamy hue could be styled layered over long-sleeved tops, but for this approach, we’re favouring sleeveless vests or camis to form the base and hero the neat V-neck cut. Opt for a monochromatic outfit by teaming with a dark-grey trouser suit for an easier, more laid-back result or turn to tailoring in whites and soft creams to build an ensemble around a subtle tonal look.

They’re a trans-seasonal stalwart

A woollen or cashmere vest doesn’t have to be the reserve of winter layering. As temperatures shift throughout the year, adapt our Cashmere Silk Lace Stitch Vest + Snood (Oct 2/Autumn) to match. A sleeveless silhouette topped with a round neckline is accompanied by a detachable snood that locks in extra warmth when needed. When temperatures are milder, remove the snood and wear as a standalone piece for a look that speaks to that tricky time in between seasons. 

Our Merino Cashmere Colour Block Vest + Snood (Nov) features the same detachable snood but celebrates an array of hues that complement your changing palette throughout the year. Complement autumn and winter neutrals and ground bright colours by layering it under a cord blazer throughout autumn. Swap it for a cosy shearling coat when winter takes its hold.

They Pull Together Simple Styling

A knitted vest instantly transforms classic pairings, resulting in a look that appears perfectly pieced together and considered. They upgrade everyday looks such as a round-neck T-shirt tucked into a pair of jeans, and ground trousers in a classic pattern when teamed with a ruffle-trimmed blouse.

The reserve of your working and daytime outfitting, our Merino Cashmere Clean Edge V Neck Vest (Nov) in a deep, treacle-like hue adds an edge to feminine ruffle trims. The piece also complements the colours inflected throughout our check tailoring to build a cohesive look that’s suited to office-ready outfitting and finds a country-to-city balance. 

Introducing subtle shimmer to your ensembles, our Metallic Colour Block Vest + Snood (Oct 2/Autumn) has the same effect when it comes to more evening-leaning pieces. Layer it over a silk shirt paired with trousers in a deep colour-pop shade or slip it on as is with a maxi skirt and heels.