15 knitwear pieces to keep you warm in style this winter

I dipped my toes into winter this week. Scratch that. I dipped my EVERYTHING into winter for two days on a work trip to Melbourne.

I treated myself to a new knit. I got to wear the new cape I bought in Melbourne in March and I was rewarded with an opportunity to layer.

I know, I know. Cray-Cray Queenslander.

But this crazy Queenslander gets very tired of a long, hot, humid summer. I never feel my best when the humidity is on.

That’s not to say that I’d cope with months of arctic weather either but any opportunity to dip in and out of a taste of winter always has me super excited.

The funny thing is, for someone who lives where true winter is represented by about three days on the calendar, I have an inordinate amount of coats and knitwear.

Remember CRAY-CRAY.

We covered off on coats recently, so this post is offering you tips, tricks and buying suggestions for knitwear pieces to keep you warm in style.

Yes, knitwear has a necessary warming function but a knit is an outfit piece that can also add excitement and interest to your outfit.

8 knitwear styling tips

1. Choose a knit fabric to best suit the climate where you live. In cold parts of Australia and New Zealand, merino or cashmere pieces are ideal. In northern parts of Australia, a cotton or acrylic knit may work better. Having said that, quality merino and cashmere does breathe and adapt to the climate you’re in so I do get wear out of those pieces too.
2. Knitwear need not add bulk to create warmth. Some of the finest merino and cashmere creates a lot of warmth but in styles that are streamlined and suitable for wearing under other items of clothing.
3. When you layer knitwear in an outfit, make sure that the bottom layer looks great as well. I talked about that here. This means that you won’t find yourself sweltering under a knit if the temperature warms up throughout the day.
4. Jumper styles need not be boring. When we typically think of a jumper or sweater we might think plain and unembellished. Not me. I think sequins, sleeve details, hi-lo hems, pops of colour.
5. The longline cardi helps create interesting proportions in an outfit. I love that this style continues to be strong. A shorter-style cardi is great and has its place in a knit-robe but a longer style adds effortless elegance to an outfit. Even a jeans and tee outfit is lifted up several notches with the addition of a longline cardi. When wearing a longline cardi with a dress and tights, ensure the cardi is longer than the dress and that the dress is streamlined for the full effect of this look.
6. Ponchos, wraps, capes and shrugs are your winter layering friends. I love that it’s totally acceptable to essentially be seen outside of your home wearing a small blanket around your neck. Love it. This is the style of knit I mostly wear for a Queensland winter because they are easy to pop on and layer over a foundation outfit of jeans or leggings and a top. Conversely, they are easily removed when the temperature climbs during the day. If I’m going out in the afternoon or evening, I take one with me to pop on when the sun disappears and the chill sets in. Do make sure the knit fabric you opt for in these pieces feels luxe on.
7. When it comes to accessorising your knitwear, scarves are an obvious choice – for both warmth and style. For work or evenings out, consider jewellery pieces to complement your knit style. For a poncho or shrug, a statement earring could work; for a jumper style, a short statement necklace; for a long cardi style, consider a long necklace or choker/lariat style with a leather that fall down across the chest.
8. If you’re getting your knitwear out of storage from last winter, consider re-washing in gentle wool wash (or drycleaning) before wear. I find my hayfever can be triggered because of the dust collected in them while stored away

15 knitwear pieces to keep you warm in style

Below you’ll find shopping suggestions for 15 different knitwear pieces available right now. I’ve broken down the knitwear categories to include on-trend longline cardis, ponchos/wraps and jumpers.

Now is the time to pick up your knitwear pieces for the season ahead, with stores dropping these high-winter pieces now.

Ponchos, wraps and shrugs

 1. Katies poncho $29.97 (on sale) | 2. Clarity by Threadz poncho $109.95 @ Birdsnest | 3. Everyday Cashmere poncho $380 @ Birdsnest | 4. Moda Imagine poncho $159 @ Birdsnest | 5. Vigorella cape $169.95 @ Birdsnest

If you don’t want to be concerned about a wrap falling off your shoulders, opt for a poncho or shrug. A poncho doesn’t need to be worn straight up at the front. Play with moving it around your neck for the hemline to fall in different positions. Sometimes they can also be folded in on each other to make a scarf.

Longline cardis

 1. Katies coatigan $35.97 (on sale) | 2. Lazybones cardigan $149 @ Birdsnest | 3. Foil cardigan $119 @ Birdnest | 4. Clarity by Threadz cardigan $139.95 | 5. UNIQLO cardigan $59.90

Play with the proportions in your outfit when wearing a longline cardi. Contrast the long cardi with a half-tucked top into jeans or a streamlined dress that is shorter than the cardi.

Jumpers

1. Country Road knit $199 | 2. Elm knit $139.95 @ Birdsnest | 3. Witchery knit $129.95 | 4. Katies knit $29.97 (on sale) | 5. French Connection knit $129.95

Bell or fluted sleeves are a key look this season in just about every garment. In a knit they add fabulous drama to an outfit. These sleeves should come with a warning sign (for me at least) when eating out. I still love and wear them though.

So tell me, what does your knit-robe look like? Have you added any new pieces this season? Like any that you see above?

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