THE KNITWEAR REPORT

As if it never happened, summer is in the rearview mirror. Long, warm evenings have been immediately replaced by knitwear and jackets; we couldn’t be happier. If you ask us, summer gets too much attention. Autumn is the best season of the year and we’re treating it with the respect it deserves. Making the most of the next few months relies almost entirely on what your wardrobe has in it, so we’re introducing The Fall Report. Each week, we’re hitting a different pillar of the autumn wardrobe and picking it apart bit by bit until all that remains is what matters: the actual brands and products you should know.

On the heels of the inaugural Brand Report, it’s high time to dive into the world of wool. For the Knitwear Report, we’re going granular on the knitwear styles that are taking up space in the wardrobes and collections that have caught our eye this season. Good knits often cost, so making sure you’re investing in the right places is important. That starts with quality, but silhouette matters too. Below, we’ve put together a selection of knitwear that ticks the boxes on both fronts.

The Knit Polo

Knit polos are a dream for styling. It’s possible to find heavier iterations, but generally, knit polos are lightweight and therefore ideal for layering. Soft merino and cashmere styles can be worn against the skin for a nod towards a formal aesthetic without feeling stuffy. More rugged versions sit comfortably on top of tees, or if you’re feeling adventurous, take a note out of Auralee's PFW F/W26 show and double up on collars with a shirt underneath.

The Knit Hoodie

Hoodies get a bad rap. Seen as the pinnacle of ‘off-duty style’, they’ve become the mark of laziness only because they’re so wearable. They’re victims of their own success. This year, though, we’ve seen a move towards wool hoodies which are rewriting a bad reputation. The knit hoodie offers a more mature angle on everyone’s favourite comfort piece, with brands like Dunst or new-arrival Beach Brains offering up monochrome versions that pair with everything from tailored trousers to sweats.

The Quarter Zip

Most of the best clothing can trace its roots back to sportswear. When the novel invention of the zip reached the world of clothing in the ‘30s, the quarter zip quickly followed, allowing athletes to adjust their temperature without needing to remove the garment completely. From sportswear to prep, to finance uniform, the wardrobe staple, the quarter zip has been through it all. This season, it’s landed in a nice spot, with knit editions from Jil Sander, A.P.C., and more promising serious layering possibilities backed by sportswear utility.

The Cardigan

No major introductions needed here. The cardigan is arguably the best-known and best-loved piece of knitwear, particularly by older gents and if we’ve learned anything in recent seasons, it’s that older gents have been showing us how to dress well since time immemorial. FrizmWORKS is a good place to start for cardigans, with a Cowichan silhouette topping our list of solid knitwear for autumn and winter.

The Statement Knit

From the technical knits made possible by modern production techniques to the bold visuals from brands like Story mfg. or Dries Van Noten, statement knitwear comes in many forms this season. If you take one thing away from The Knitwear Report, make it this: Have fun with your knitwear, it’s good for you and it’s good for your wardrobe.