Buying Guide: Knitwear

As autumn turns to winter, knitwear swiftly becomes one of the most important parts of your wardrobe. Not only does it provide warmth and comfort to keep those chilly blues at bay, but it also adds an excellent opportunity to show off your style with unique textures and designs.

Here, we’ll explore the ins and outs of knitwear styles to help you make the best choice for your wardrobe this winter.

SHOP LADIES KNITWEAR

Buying knitwear – the important questions

Shopping for knitwear can feel overwhelming with so much variety on offer – but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to narrow down your choices by thinking about what you’d really like, and a great way to do that can be to look at the pieces in your wardrobe you already love and try to look for similar items.

Below, we explore three simple areas you can think about when narrowing down your knitwear search.

Part One: Choose your fabric

It might seem like knitwear is all the same, but the materials used in your jumpers and cardigans can have a big impact on how you care for them, how comfortable they feel to wear and how much they’ll cost you to buy.

Acrylic

A synthetic fibre designed to have similar properties to wool, acrylic is a low-cost alternative that retains heat well in order to keep you snug all winter long. Acrylic is resistant to damage from sunlight and microorganisms such as mould and mildew, as well as being quick to dry and slow to crease.

Blends

If you’ve investigated knitwear materials before, you’ll probably know that a lot of knitwear uses a mix of natural and synthetic fabrics. This helps to achieve a ‘best of both worlds’ effect, using varying quantities of different fibres in order to provide the best properties for your comfort. Usually, these blends aim to balance practicality (for example, durability and ease of garment care) with comfort.

Polyester

Another synthetic fibre, polyester is a common feature in today’s clothing. This is because it’s a very resilient material that will help your knitwear to last longer, meaning you can enjoy it winter after winter. It also dries quickly and is resistant to creasing, making it easier to care for than some alternatives.

Wool

Wool is a classic in knitwear for a reason – it’s what all the synthetic fibres aspire to. Used in cold weather clothing for hundreds of years, wool is a great insulator and wicks moisture away from your skin to keep you feeling fresh even on a long winter walk. With many different types of wool available from sheep’s wool to alpaca wool, it’s a very environmentally friendly material – but with a higher price point, woollen knitwear can be more of an investment piece.

Cashmere

Utter the phrase ‘luxury knitwear’ and cashmere is sure to be the first thing that comes to mind. Made from goat’s hair, it’s incredibly durable and astonishingly soft – but those opulent qualities do come with a hefty price tag. Cashmere pieces are generally best reserved for special occasions like weddings or big birthdays – perfect for adding that extra touch of elegance to your ensemble.

Part Two: Choose your format

Knitwear can come in a number of different styles, each of which can look vastly different in an outfit. Sometimes, knitwear isn’t even designed to be a visible part of your outfit, instead acting as an insulating under layer to keep you snug in colder conditions.

Jumpers

Ladies’ jumpers are a classic choice to add a comfy, insulating layer to your winter outfit. Usually put on over the head without any fastenings, they have fewer openings to allow the escape of heat, meaning they’ll keep you snug and cosy all day long.

Cardigans

If you prefer a form of knitwear that’s easy to take off and put on depending on how warm you feel, then cardigans are an excellent choice. Typically featuring a zip or button closure, they’re the perfect cosy favourite for those days when you find yourself too hot one minute and too cold the next.

Hats, Scarves and Gloves

Heading out into the cool air? Bring your favourite knitted accessories with you. Hats, scarves and gloves are ideal for colder weather – helping to keep you warm when you’re out and about, but easy to take off when you come in from the cold.

Knitted Underwear

Last but not least, don’t underestimate the power of the knitted underwear. From thermal tops and vests to insulating leggings, knitted underwear is designed to be worn below your everyday clothes to keep you warmer in winter. This can be particularly helpful if your outfit of choice isn’t naturally very insulating – for example, a thin dress or skirt for a special occasion such as a festive dinner with friends.

Part Three: Choose your knit

Not all knitwear is created equal, and there are different kinds to choose from even within a given style of garment. We’re talking about the knit and gauge of the item – knit referring to the style, and gauge referring to the size of the stitch.

Here are some examples…

Fine Gauge Knit

This refers to knitwear that has a tight stitch, often so much so that you can’t easily see the stitching when you look at the garment. This leads to a streamlined, stylish look that can accentuate almost any outfit so you can look great and feel comfortable.

Star Jumper – Purple 

Also available in Blue. 

FROM £22

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Chunky Knit

As the name suggests, a chunky knit garment has a larger, more visible knit than its fine knit counterpart. This can give the item a cosier, more casual look and feel – ideal for cuddling up on cold winter nights.

Scallop Edge Cable Cardigan – Violet 

Also available in Denim Blue. 

FROM £30

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Ribbed Knit

Ribbed knit refers to a style of knitwear that features close, vertical textured stripes – also known as ‘ribs’. As well as adding texture and visual interest to the garment, these ribs actually give the piece elasticity and stretch.

Roll Neck Jumper – Grey Marl 

Also available in Lavender and Teal. 

FROM £20

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Cable Knit

Possibly one of the most well-known knit patterns on the market, cable knit is a style reminiscent of old seafaring voyages, with stitches crossed over one another to create braid-like textures. Just as the design kept fishermen snug and warm while at sea, cable knit jumpers are sure to keep you cosy – and you’ll be in good company wearing them, as they were initially popularised by greats like Elvis Presley and Steve McQueen.

 Also available in Pink. 

 FROM £25 

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Caring for your knitwear

Once you’ve got your hands on a new knitted favourite, it’s time to find out what you can do to keep it in that great just-bought condition.

Washing knitwear

The first step to washing any clothing correctly is to check the garment care label. In jumpers and cardigans, this is typically found on the inside left seam, and it’ll tell you all the specifics of how best to look after your particular garment. This is important because different materials, knits and fabric blends can require slightly different care.

As a rule, though, you’ll want to choose your most delicate cycle (or wash by hand!) and choose a low temperature wash. This helps to prevent damage and shrinkage. Turn your garment inside out before washing if possible and remember to fasten any zips and buttons to reduce the risk of them catching and pulling on the fabric.

Drying knitwear

The garment care label will also give you guidance on how best to dry your knitwear, so remember to check what it recommends. If in doubt, though, it’s best to lay your knitwear flat to dry, preferably on an absorbent surface such as a towel. Only use your tumble dryer if the garment care label advises you to, and never hang your knitwear to dry, as this can cause the fibres to stretch and lengthen.

Storing knitwear

Although hanging cardigans and jumpers in wardrobes is a popular choice, the best way to store your knitwear is to fold it and lay it flat on a shelf or in a drawer. This helps to protect them from snagging on other items or hangers and maintains their shape for longer.

KNITWEAR CARE

Ladies’ knitwear at Chums

Here at Chums, we have a wide range of stylish knitwear to keep you snug and cosy all winter long. Browse our ladies’ knitwear today – you might find your next favourite piece!