Worn under jackets, coats, puffers, or otherwise, knitwear is a versatile piece of clothing that, if styled right, goes well with everything. Here’s what you need to know about putting knitwear to good use this season.
If your new year resolution is to dress a little nicer in 2022, and you are looking for some inspiration, good quality knitwear is a great place to start. For men, knitwear helps bridge the gap between jeans and T-shirts, and suits and ties. It elevates your look without requiring a full wardrobe revamp. Thanks to work-from-home, we have reached a point where cosy knitwear serves more purpose than the usual workwear. You can easily throw on a crew neck sweater and call it a day, but it is also necessary to style knitwear a bit more thoughtfully.
Be it sweater vests, V-neck sweaters, rolled-up turtlenecks, these pieces can be paired individually or paired with other layering options. A good set of knitwear is one that will be worth its material used in construction and also in its overall durability—a timeless offering that extends a great fit.
Celebrity stylist Isha Bhansali feels knitwear is an underrated fashion element, especially in menswear. “It is important to get your look right. There are a lot of kinds of knitwear that we know of, like chunky cable-knit sort of knitwear and the other is the fine one. It is really important for a guy to know his knits really well because depending on the city and the weather, he can choose the kind of knitwear accordingly.”
The Fall/Winter 2021-2022 collections saw a range of knitwear strutting down the runway. From neon shades at Versace to oversized sweaters at Etro, the options to choose from are vast. Bhansali continues, “There are brands like Ermenegildo Zegna who have done fine knits, summer knits, which can be worn in Mumbai winter. So, the main thing about knitwear is its thickness. Chunky knits are also cool, given the really retro feel if you are in a cold country.”
Homegrown brand Margn, founded by designers Ranjit Yadav and Saurabh Maurya, focuses mainly on knitwear, offering options suitable for the transitional seasons. “Knitwear is an essential part of our collections, and we approach it with the intent to create something new. Over the past few years, we have developed a deep bond with our team of artisans based in Kullu, and work with them to explore and create knitwear techniques based on our concepts. With each step of garment construction, we look for novel ideas in terms of silhouettes and pattern making. Uneven-sleeved vests, a sleeve stitched at the waist of a shirt, heartbeat ikat patterns; even the ones that are as unusual are given form. We call them Alien Knits,” the duo explains.
This season, the highlight of knitwear has to be the shades it is offered in. Apart from regular earthy hues, the colour palette ranges from cobalt blues, salmon pinks, acid-pop neons, and many others. “What I currently like about knitwear is the colour palette. I feel that a lot of pop colours and stripes give a whole retro look. Rishi Kapoor would wear these in the movies that he used to do, we used to call them sweaters but they were actually knitwear. So, those kinds of references are inspiring. You can pair it with dad jeans along with sneakers and it will look really cool,” suggests Bhansali.
Speaking of the key pieces that every man should own in his wardrobe, Yadav and Maurya opine, “I think a man’s wardrobe should have a relaxed V-neck or high neck vest, a high neck knit in a solid colour, and a statement jacket or a trouser. Such versatile pieces are easy to incorporate in everyday wear, and can also be used to elevate a basic look. There was almost a taboo around V-Necks where I grew up, so you wouldn’t see many men in them. We revisited that and made V-Necks a prominent part of our current collection.”
Coming to simple tips on how to wear your favourite knitwear piece, the duo suggests, “Our favourite part of winter fashion is the layers. There’s functionality to fashion. For quick layering, a vest is a versatile staple to have. It can be worn as an outer layer if it is of a relaxed fit, while a fitted vest would pair well under a jacket or a trench coat. Something different to try this winter is knitted pants, particularly woollen trousers. These trousers flaunt a specific texture that can elevate your entire look, even when paired with plain solids. Snoods, dickies, or long hand-knitted gloves make an excellent accessory for winters. They add depth to the look, especially with minimal outfits. But most importantly, have fun and experiment to find your own style.”
Pranav Mishra, co-founder of Heumn explains, “The key knitwear pieces that one should own are cardigans and turtlenecks. Turtlenecks can be easily paired with the ’70s flared bell bottoms, another way to style would be an oversized T-shirt layered with an oversized chequered shirt, styled with straight cut oversized denim. Lastly, a comfort-fit sweater styled with well-cut and straight-fit trousers. He suggests that these delicate pieces should be washed with warm water and dried flat.
