THE KNITWEAR EDIT

It might have taken a hot minute (pun very much intended), but temperatures have finally dropped. And the nights are drawing in, too. That might put some people in a funk, but not us. In fact, we've been quietly anticipating the change of season so we can reach for something soft. Something cosy. That's right: knitwear season has arrived. There might be a chill in the air, and the weather might be unpredictable, but we're pulling on our favourite jumper with a smile.

Knitwear makes sense, especially now we're in our comfort-first era. Looking good is one thing, but now we're placing just as much emphasis on feeling good. Our favourite pieces might have started out as practical necessities, but now they're becoming a more considered part of how we dress. Think softer finishes and pieces designed to layer with the rest of our seasonal rotation.

Usually, we're not ones to wish away a year. But after seeing the autumn/winter '26 runways this past spring, we had to make an exception. This season, our favourite designers aren’t starting a knitwear revolution. Instead, we’re seeing an evolution. They've found drama in the details. Heritage patterns and techniques have been reworked. Necklines and textures have entered the chat. And best of all: colour is everywhere. Just because the skies are grey, it doesn't mean your wardrobe has to match.

AW26 isn't about completely overhauling your wardrobe. It's about rediscovering old favourites and finding new ways to wear them. Looking for something to see you through the season and well into the next? There's a knit for that. Or are you in the mood for something more playful? There's a knit for that, too.

From Prada and Uma Wang to GANNI and Polo Ralph Lauren, these are the 'It Knits' to know about this season.

Heritage knits are firmly back on our radar this season. Once consigned to stuffy golf courses and our grandparents’ wardrobes, they’re being reevaluated. Why? Partly because fashion’s been in a preppy mood lately, inspired by all things Ivy League. But also because the major houses are looking beyond seasonal trends. Now they’re going for timeless. And what could be more timeless than heritage?

Of course, don’t expect faithful recreations of what came before. This season, heritage knits are being reworked and restyled.

In womenswear, Scotland is in focus: argyle knits are making moves. Prada’s take might read traditional at first glance. But woven into a cropped cardigan and paired with jeans and this season's footwear MVP, the slipper, it feels brand new all over again. Of course, Vivienne Westwood was going to get involved. The house has had a love affair with all things Scottish for as long as we can remember. Their approach keeps the cropped length, but oversizes the pattern and slims down the proportions. This is the one you’ll reach for when you’ve got brunch in the diary. Team it with high-waisted trousers and your favourite kitten heels, and finish with your go-to shoulder bag.

And one for the office, GANNI brings the colour, layering yellow and red diamonds over black. And instead of going for an all-over effect, they’ve reimagined the knit in striped rows. Simple? Maybe. Effective? Damn right.

Elsewhere, menswear is rediscovering its own heritage favourites. Two, to be exact. To start with: cable knits. Valentino got our attention by dialling it right back. The slender rope braids keep things understated but still deliver that hit of texture all good cables do. It’s the ideal layering piece. Wear it over a shirt for work, or under a bomber if you’re catching up with friends. Fred Perry  switches it up with geometry, opting for an all-over diamond pattern. Add in the sporty stripes on the sleeves and you’ve got a staple that will become part of your regular rotation. This is the one that we’ll be pulling on solo for a chilled night in or under a puffer for the terraces when it’s match day.

And don’t overlook rib knits either. Fendi  certainly hasn’t. Its ribbed jumper borrows from classic military designs, right down to the shoulder patches and stencilled numbers. It’s cut slim, so it’ll layer under your favourite coat with no problem. It’ll see you through those unpredictable transseasonal days and right into next spring.

Like we said up top, we’re deep in our cosy era. It’s not enough to throw on any old scratchy jumper and head out. Now, how something feels is just as important as how it looks. Softness has always been part of knitwear’s appeal. But for AW26, designers are finally giving texture just as much attention as colour and silhouette. And judging from the brushed knits we’ve seen lately, they’re making it impossible to ignore.

Maison Margiela  is showing up for the guys this season. Look no further than their Fused Knit Sweater. It comes with an oh-so-soft fuzzy finish that makes you never want to take it off. Plus, it’s got that faux-layered effect and a vintage, worn-in finish that still feels fresh. We rate it for casual Fridays at work and long weekends in the city. That said, if we could sleep in ours, we would.

Going Scandinavian for a moment, we’re big fans of Our Legacy. Especially their Night Woods Hoodie. Made in part from virgin wool, it's already got your comfort covered. And as if that wasn't enough, it's finished with a fuzzy texture that feels great against the skin. And the boxy fit makes it a natural to team with the baggiest denim you can find. So good.

Ladies: start with Chloé. We always trust Chemena Kamali’s vision, especially when it comes to knits. And her Knit Polo is the stand-out this season. It's made from alpaca wool, so you already know it's soft. Add a brushed finish and it's too good to resist. There are a few colourways to choose from, but we rate it in lilac, bringing a fresh burst of colour to disrupt the gloomy weather.

And then there’s Magda Butrym. We’ve not been able to stop thinking about her Brushed Cape since we saw it on the AW26 runway this spring. It’s got volume. It’s got structure. It's got that soft, plush finish. It’s got our attention. This is the perfect investment piece if you’ve RSVP’d to a wedding or there’s a Christmas party in the offing.

Every season, there’s an unexpected new detail or silhouette that dials up the drama. This past summer, jelly shoes were the breakout hit that nobody saw coming. And back in 2025, Conner Ives debuted his ‘Protect the Dolls’ t-shirt and the internet (and Pedro Pascal) went wild for it. So, what’s it to be for autumn/winter ’26? Surprisingly enough: necklines.

This time around, designers are experimenting with the necklines of our favourite knits, reworking details that we’ve probably taken for granted. First up: after years of crewneck dominance, V-necks are back in the conversation. And this time they’re lower than before. Much lower. Prada proved the point perfectly with its women’s navel-grazing jumper. It makes sense worn over shirts, t-shirts and even vests (weather permitting, obviously) as well as under a trench or a softshell. It might look unconventional now, but come next spring you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

And for men? It’s got to be Fendi. Okay, so the length might not be all that dramatic. But that contrasting pink trim? And the oversized collar? Not to mention that striking open-weave rib-knit? Pure Harry Styles. This’ll look the part with tailored trousers if you’re heading for a night out. And keep it around when spring hits. It works with shorts too.

And if V-necks are getting lower this season, it feels correct that funnel-necks (or turtlenecks, depending on who you ask) are getting higher.

Uma Wang clearly got the memo. Her asymmetrical, wrap-effect jumper comes with a towering funnel neck that’ll skim the chin. And if you feel like mixing trends, it’s got a brushed finish for extra cosiness and comes in the shade of the season, brown.

Over in menswear, Saint Laurent have got you covered. Their wool turtleneck is a great base layer when temperatures dip, especially under a quarter-zip (more on them later). And when spring arrives? It’ll hold its own as a standalone piece. And that Bordeaux red shade? Yes, please.

As painful as it is to admit, we’re breaking up with polka dots. We’ve enjoyed our love affair with them, but it’s run its course. Probably because our heads have been turned by the return of our first crush: stripes. They were all over the runway this season, and knitwear was where they made the biggest impression. But like every first love, they’re not the same as they used to be. Traditional Breton stripes are taking a back seat. And in their place, a riot of colour and texture for women and a retro-tinged, preppy twist for men.

All good things start with Versace. Their Patchwork Vest caught our eye immediately with a combo we never knew we needed: wool and suede. And the materials are half the story. Vertical stripes of navy, camel, chocolate, and heather grey. They’re not in your face, but they bring a quiet sophistication that’s hard to ignore. It’s an easy pick for layering, too. Wear with a crisp poplin shirt (untucked, obviously) and leather trousers for your 9-to-5 rotation. Or pull it on over a knitted top for the weekend, finished with indigo jeans and your go-to slim trainers.

And if there’s one label that knows about stripes, it’s Missoni . They’ve made them their thing, after all. We rate their Crochet-Knit Cardigan, and it’s easy to see why. The graphic peacock-like stripes. That shade of pistachio. The metallic threads. It’s versatile, too. Team it with a polo and high-waisted midi skirt for lunch, or throw it on over a cami and shorts if you’re escaping the winter blues for somewhere warmer.

For men, Gucci is keeping it simple. They've reached into the archives, putting their signature Web stripe front and centre (literally). There’s an accompanying stripe down the back, too. It’s true what they say: less is more. And that equestrian-themed design plays into the preppy mood that has defined 2026. Another layering staple, wear it solo or team with a cosy cardigan. However you style it, it looks slick with black jeans and a pair of loafers. Gigs, dinners, nights out: you’ll be wearing this one everywhere.

Don’t forget about Dolce & Gabbana, either. Sicily’s finest exports go for the collegiate style as well, but update it with a naval edge. Well, a navy edge. Slashed with contrasting white stripes, their Marina crewneck puts us in mind of sunny afternoons in Palermo. It’s the perfect tonic to leaden clouds and unexpected downpours. We're not usually ones for tucked-in jumpers, but with this one, it just works. Especially with beige chinos and your go-to kicks.

Layering is easily our favourite thing about our autumn/winter wardrobes. Spending hours mixing and matching our knits into our regular rotation brings us a lot of joy. It’s just like when we played dress-up as kids. Only this time with bank accounts. And for AW26, two key silhouettes are fighting for a place in our dressing-up boxes. One is a returning knitwear favourite that shows no sign of slowing down. The other? It’s about to become your new favourite go-to.

Gents, we’ll start with the comeback kid. We’re talking about quarter-zips. Long gone are the days when these were seen as belonging in fusty offices or on the fairways. This time last year, they made the move from functional to fashionable. And that’s not changing for AW26.

Our pick is Casablanca’s quarter-zip. It's got that all-important waffle-knit texture. And a gold-toned zip that brings a little understated luxury. And it’s finished with brown trims and the label’s signature monogram. Loud? No. Sophisticated? Absolutely. Layering-wise, dress it up underneath a blazer and over a sleek black funnel neck that’s Christmas party-ready. Or dress it down under an anorak with your favourite jeans when the forecast can't make up its mind.

Talking of the weather, Canada Goose should also be in the conversation. We always rate the label when temperatures plummet. Go for their McKinney Quarter-Zip in Anchor Grey. It's made from merino wool, so you know it'll bring the warmth. And that traditional fisherman's rib adds plenty of texture. This is the one you’ll need for those frosty commutes and winter walks with friends. It’ll work over everything from an Oxford shirt to your favourite hoodie. And its neutral colour means it’ll team with jeans, joggers, chinos… you name it. What are you waiting for?

Ladies, get ready for the sweater vest renaissance. Once dismissed as Ivy League nonsense, they're back. And it's those preppy associations that make them so appealing. Except that this season, our favourite labels have been reworking proportions and fabric choices to create something that’s both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

We can’t talk preppy without mentioning Polo Ralph Lauren. Their Wimbledon Sweater Vest might be named for the tennis court, but the look is all Harvard. The cable-knit braids. The two-tone stripes around the V-neck. The slim fit. Wear it on top of an oversized shirt or a baggy jumper for laid-back weekend plans and even casual Fridays. And as we come out of winter and into warmer temperatures, take a chance and wear it solo.

Maison Margiela’s Fuse Knitted Vest is worth a look as well. It’s got the same fuzzy finish as the men’s sweater, as well as that worn-in faded look that we’ve been living in all year. The dropped hem adds an unexpected 3D effect, extending over the top of your favourite blue jeans. The dropped hem adds an unexpected 3D effect, extending over your favourite blue jeans. Throw an open trench coat over the top and you're good to go. This is the one you want when you want to make a statement.