Knitwear is everywhere at the moment, especially in menswear. From the rise of all-season knits to statement sweaters, the Fall/Winter 2022 runways were filled with experimental trends. A host of luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Burberry, Zegna, Balmain, Dior, Jacquemus, and others showcased their take on these woollen fabrics in their own way.
Over the years, knitwear has evolved — what first started out as ugly sweaters that are worn on Christmas Day eventually upgraded to becoming a red-carpet look. Think Harry Styles’ grandpa-chic sweater vest, or the time his JW Anderson multi-coloured cardigan went viral, and fans started knitting their own versions of it. Similarly, Kanye West built an entire fashion empire with Yeezy, where knits were a major highlight.
A winter staple, the key knitwear piece that is a must-have for men is a lightweight crew neck jumper, which remains classic and is extremely versatile in terms of styling. “The Indian audience not only keeps up with trends, but has also started focusing on the functionality of garments — this is especially pertinent to winter wear,” explains a spokesperson of Jack & Jones, India.
Worn with basics such as denim jackets, overcoats, bomber jackets, and other outerwear, the knits are versatile and easy to style. Independent labels, as well as fast fashion labels are some of the other options to shop your knits from. “In keeping with the season, super fine yarns with unique textures offer a directional update for a premium sports-luxe feel. Flat-knit patterns take a cue from retro designs to cater to Gen Z appetites that are hooked to social media. We also have a refreshed familiar, collegiate theme with up-trending online aesthetics of pop punk. A trend that is not going away is pairing knitwear with a patterned sports shirt under a solid colour knit. One can also pair knitted turtlenecks with jackets and blazers along with denim or chinos,” adds Jack & Jones.
Another way to wear knits is by layering. Layer a crewneck with a shirt, or opt for a cardigan as a way to layer basics, which are some of the few ways to enhance your everyday look without compromising on style. “The texture is imperative when choosing knits. Men can include cashmere, extra fine merino, souffle yarn, and premium lambswool in their winter wardrobe. Knit can be easily styled with pieces including flannel shirts, EZY jeans, and overshirt jackets, amongst others. From bright fresh colours to subdued neutral tones, our line-up allows the opportunity to create distinct and unique style statements,” opines a spokesperson from Uniqlo India.
United Colors Of Benetton believes that the brand’s rich heritage and legacy of knitwear is the first point of inspiration. “As a global brand, we draw inspiration from global street trends, and lifestyle trends; not just what people are wearing, but also what people are eating, what kind of their content are they consuming, and more to then derive directions and imbibe it best with how it sits with Benetton,” CEO & MD, Ramprasad Sridharan of United Colors Of Benetton shares.
To style some of the key knitwear pieces, Sridharan recommends, “Weather-suited elevated basics that can classify as wardrobe staples are some of the transitional styles. Cable-knit structures and jacquard crewneck styles in classic colours can be coordinated well with any pieces from your wardrobe. Colour block or exploded graphics look great paired up with khaki chinos for a smart look, or with faded denim for an uber cool relaxed style. With varsity jackets, wool blend sweaters, structured knits, fleece sweatsuits with faux leather patches and winter shackets, the brand’s collection is revisited with a retro flavour. This collection features deep winter tones with accents of bright tones. Good balance between neutrals and deep colours sets a tone for the upcoming weather.
Go ahead, get that sweater on, and make it look cool.
Images: Jack & Jones, United Colors Of Benetton, Uniqlo
