Some clothes provide practicality, others fantasy, while some evoke a whole mood. A Fair Isle sweater is the latter. It’s the physical embodiment of cozy weekends in farm houses and chalets; the clothing equivalent of hot cocoa – totally familiar and never too sweet.
These cozy knits rose to fame under an earlier Prince of Wales (the late Edward VIII) in the 1920s, and have remained a favorite of the historically sporty British royal family ever since. The late Princess Diana was seen in a perfectly 1980s version in bold neon pink and green, which she paired with neutral corduroy trousers, and later in a classic Christmas-y reindeer Fair Isle knit, proving that this style should not be stashed away.
Named for an island in Shetland, in northern Scotland, Fair Isle refers to a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns using multiple colors at once. London-based designer Molly Goddard has made this style a brand staple, offering a new spin each season, with a particularly cool cropped sweater set moment for fall 2023.
Catherine Holstein of Khaite didn’t send any Fair Isle knits down the catwalk, but her fall catwalk collection includes multiple versions of her printed knit, from a more traditional turtleneck sweater to a moody minimal hoodie. Of course, Ralph Lauren always features some of these cozy knits. Layered with heat tech or worn solo, or paired with barn jackets or long wool coats, a Fair Isle sweater will always be a wardrobe essential.
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Aqua Fair Isle Sweater available at Bloomingdale’s, $53
Splendid Vail Alpaca Wool-Blend Sweater available at Neiman Marcus, $198
Fair Isle Wide Sleeve Mock Neck Sweater available at Loft, $45
Joelle Fair Isle Sweater available at French Connection, $138
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