I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so invested in combinations of knitwear as I was last week when faced with this town’s new arctic mood. Layers — when negotiating overheated offices, freezing external forays and chilly chez Moss — were the only way forward.
Eyeing up the menswear collections (yes, more fashion shows have started; this week it’s Paris haute couture, then the month-long womenswear carnival will kick into gear — gird yourselves), I was seduced by a new Prada moment.
Mrs P has always been partial to a twin set, but here were the boys in delicious colour combinations of mis-matched bright knits. With their baker boy caps it was very lads of the manor, I also liked the white-belt punctuation and tempering with a grey trouser. These are useful style notes for us all.
There is something going on with menswear. I’ve spent a lot of my career feeling quite allergic to it, but recent seasons have piqued my antennae. For one, the boring sportswear assault where everything was a giant hoodie or trainer seems to have dissipated. Considered clothes with proper shoes are back. Also skirts, giant man-bags and 20-denier tights, but let’s leave those to one Instagram-catnip side for now.
The easiest thing about the TTTS (twotone-twin-set) is that it might very well be sitting in your wardrobe already — you just need to reconsider which piece fits with which. I would say you want a round-neck top — either in a light crew-neck knit or vest — with round-neck cardigan, but I think you can also flex with a V-neck cardy if that’s in your arsenal. I concocted a successful combination from a very old Reformation cardy with a new Marks & Spencer sleeveless knit and felt quite canny. I also don’t think it really matters if your knits are different textures. Why be fussy?
If you’ve struck moths, and need to stock up, then do try M&S — it’s on a fashion-sales high for good reason. The Autograph collection has numerous jolly-hued cardigans, I love the minty light green; there’s also a plethora of sweet sleeveless knit vests, the crew-neck pink one is a cute and reasonable £25.
Uniqlo is another stalwart here for mix-and-match colour knits — the blue merino crew-neck I would say you want a round-neck top with a round-neck cardigan, but you can flex with a V-neck cardigan will work beautifully with its orange cashmere crew-neck (both currently on sale). For something posher, look at Gobi for cashmere or &Daughter. Prada did a blue and-red combination which both have options for.
Aethel is a new find for me, with knits spun in Finsbury Park from Loro Piana cashmere yarn (it’s not cheap, but is a lot less than its Italian fabric source), I’m very into its short sleeve sweaters in tangy yellow and red. It’s also got every style combination of cardigan and sweater you could want, and all in tempting, flattering colours.
Victoria Moss's Wish List
Blue extra fine merino crew neck cardigan, £24.90 (uniqlo.com); orange cashmere crew neck jumper, £39.90 (uniqlo.com); Pink ribbed crew neck knitted vest, £25 (marksandspencer.com); Fresh mint cashmere crew neck cardigan, £89 (marksandspencer.com); red crew neck cashmere cardigan, £179 (gobicashmere.com); blue cashmere crew neck jumper, £134.10 (gobicashmere.com)
