Winter Sweater Essentials

Since it started to get cold, there’s been little variation in my outfits. Keeping cosy and warm has been my top priority, so I’ve been reaching for the one thing I know I can rely on during winter: an oversized knit sweater. Given it’s the one thing you can guarantee I’ve been wearing non-stop for the past six weeks (at least), I wanted to give a run down of my winter sweater essentials.

Wearing MLM label sweater (product loan / also available here), Dr Denim skinny jeans (old but love these and these are also a good option), Stuart Weitzman OTK boots, Cuyana half moon bag (affordable here), Mejuri earrings, Linjer watch

a classic crew neck

If you’re looking for a good place to start, you can’t go wrong with a classic crew neck sweater. These form the bulk of my knitwear collection, though it’s the details that make some feel more special than others. I’ve worn mine as layering pieces over blouses for the office, or on their own tucked into denim for a smart-casual look (when paired with heels).

a roll neck sweater

The ultimate cosy piece is a roll neck sweater, and in my eyes, the more oversized, the better. My personal favourite is one I bought from Joseph at the start of last year; it’s 100% wool, has the softest hand feel, with a subtle ribbed design. My favourite aspect of this winter basic is the rollneck. I love that this acts a bit like a built-in scarf, and depending on the style, you can usually prop this up around your chin in it’s extra cold. If you aren’t a fan of oversized knits, there are plenty of slim-fitting silhouette options out there too.

the v-neck sweater

I’m narrow-shouldered so I find it a little tricky to come across the perfect v-neck sweater for me, but I do think that this is a handy winter sweater essential to have on hand. Again, it’s another great layering piece – it looks so smart when worn with a button down underneath. My preferred look is a boyfriend-style v-neck. A deep low V, with a wide boxy fit through the body.

something in cashmere

Natural fibres reign supreme in my knitwear stash, and I couldn’t run through my winter sweater essentials without mentioning the king of the bunch: cashmere. Ultra soft, cosy, lightweight, but also incredibly warm, there’s a reason why this makes such a good cold weather basic. This is considered more of a luxury fibre, so be prepared to pay a premium for a high quality cashmere piece. Some of my favourites come from Everlane, Mott & Bow, and Grana, and I’ve heard excellent things about Naadam too.

the layering piece

Sometimes one sweater isn’t enough. On days where I want to be extra toasty, I’ll layer up two sweaters for extra warmth. I usually like this layering piece to be thin, almost tissue-weight. Something that I can also throw on underneath a dress to make it winter-appropriate. My favourite is this cotton turtleneck from Everlane, and I have a sheer option from COS in merino wool that I also love reaching for. For something a little more discreet, you could opt for Uniqlo heat tech. On those days, I usually find myself wearing a fitted merino crew from Glassons that I’ve had since I was 15.

the cardigan

The final winter sweater essential I wanted to mention is a good cardigan. Either something cropped and fitted that can be worn like a sweater, or something longline and slouchy, that’ll keep you warm for days when it’s not cool enough for a coat.