Fashion: Knits together

Knitwear is proving to be the standout statement look for autumn/winter. Stephanie Smith has knit advice.
Autograph jumper tunic with pockets, £59.Autograph jumper tunic with pockets, £59.
Autograph jumper tunic with pockets, £59.

The fashion world has fallen in love with knitwear grand style for autumn/winter, as attention-seeking knits of all shapes, sizes and textures combine to bring drama and opulence.

Actually, it’s not all over the top shapes and extravagant detailing, far from it, because there are oodles of perfectly wearable, traditional knitwear pieces to snap up and wear quite readily, but it’s the sculptural inspirations that are grabbing all the headlines this season, starting of course with the catwalks of Paris, Milan, New York and London.

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There’s quite a lot of deconstructing going on, for a start, as if knitwear pieces have been unpicked at their seams, turned into panels of knit, and then sewn back up with other knit garments of different textures, shades and types of stitch, so a chunky ribbed knit meets a fine knit, their varying weights making the garments move with an unusual life of their own.

Stella McCartney layers a chunky grey ribbed cowl neck one-sleeve tunic dress over a grey wool furling skirt, teamed with beautiful conker brown below-the-knee boots (snap these up as soon as you see them, as they will go with everything this season).

Meanwhile, Delpozo takes an oversize super-chunky cable knit sweater in pale grey and adds a ribbed oversize loose roll-neck, bulbous honeycomb knit sleeves and then decorates with an extravagant attached scarf of twirling knits and fringing in grey, black and red. The word is striking and this is of course a runway showstopping piece , but it does illustrate how clashing textures and standout applique effects are adding drama to knitwear for autumn/winter. You can achieve the same sort of effect yourself by layering furled hem and fringed knitted scarves over chunky knits (just take care you don’t keep getting caught on door handles – always a danger with opulent oversized knitwear).

Simple fluffy jumpers make a great new season investment, in all colours, although cream and white work well with autumn tweeds and woollen tailoring, for a soft but smart take on separates.

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The knitted dress is having a major revival this season, with lots of different shapes and textures to choose from, so you don’t have to opt for a simple ribbed tunic shape, although this is definitely the most versatile and wearable type of knitted dress.

Again if you spot any, snap them up, but be aware that chunky and fluffy knits do add centimetres to your circumferences, while finer knits will drape and be far more forgiving.

The cocktail knit is offering a useful alternative to silk tops for a rich evening effect. There are plenty with beaded embellishment, quite exquisite, but there’s no denying the understated elegance of the simple cashmere polo or round neck fitted sweater.

Invest in a black one and team with a satin prom skirt for ultimate classic evening wear luxe.