Jumpers and Cardigans for Women and Men: How to Wear Knitwear This Autumn

In September the jumpers come back out of the wardrobe, and by October they are doing half the work. Knitwear can say two very different things: a lazy Sunday on the sofa, or an autumn outfit you have clearly thought about. The difference is rarely in the jumper or the cardigan itself. It is almost always in what you wear with it.

In this guide you will find the one rule that makes knitwear look like an outfit, the jumpers, cardigans and dresses women will wear most this autumn, and then the same for men.

The rule: every knit needs something smooth

Every outfit with knitwear needs at least one piece with a smooth surface.

Knit is soft, textured and matt. Worn on its own, or with a lot more knit, it quickly looks like loungewear. Next to a smooth surface, the same cardigan instantly looks intentional, for example next to a satin skirt or a pair of wide-leg trousers.

The only exception is the knitted set, where the top and the trousers or skirt are made from the same knit. Because that look is deliberately tonal, your shoes and your bag provide the smooth surface instead.

The long cardigan and the oversized cardigan for women

The cardigan is the most versatile piece of women's knitwear this autumn, because it is a jacket and a jumper at once.

The long cardigan with buttons falls past the hips. Wear it open over a light knitted jumper or a top with skinny jeans, or buttoned over a knitted dress. A long cardigan with a hood and pockets is the relaxed version for the weekend. The oversized cardigan with an open front is roomier and chunkier, and on mild autumn days it simply replaces your jacket.

The V-neck cardigan with buttons is the classic shape. Buttoned up, it becomes a top: leave the top button undone and tuck the front loosely into your trousers or skirt. That creates a waist, and the cardigan looks like an elegant jumper. You will find the long cardigans in women's jackets and the shorter cardigans in women's tops.

The roll-neck jumper and the oversized jumper for women

Among women's jumpers, two shapes do most of the work this autumn: the roll neck and the oversized jumper.

The cable-knit roll neck needs no company. Wear it on its own with wide-leg trousers or a satin skirt, or under a roomy coat. The oversized roll neck falls even looser and is the softer version for the weekend. Black and beige are the most versatile colours, while light blue and pink make autumn a little softer.

The oversized jumper is all about contrast. Wide on top and slim below is the simplest formula. If you wear it with wide trousers, tuck the front of the jumper loosely into the waistband so that your waist stays visible. A striped jumper or a Scandinavian-style jumper is then the only pattern in your outfit. You will find roll necks and oversized jumpers in women's tops.

The knitted dress: one piece, a complete outfit

The knitted dress is the easiest dress of the autumn, because one piece makes a whole outfit. There are three shapes, and each one wears differently.

The roll-neck jumper dress is short, slim and high at the neck. It looks best with a closed shoe, such as a loafer with a chunky sole. The ribbed jumper dress fits closely and follows your shape, so it needs no extra details. The long knitted maxi dress falls more loosely and is the comfortable choice for cold days, with a short jacket on top.

For the warmer days of September, there is the knitted polo dress with short sleeves. You will find all knitted dresses in dresses and jumpsuits.

The knitted set: knit from head to toe

The knitted set is the exception to the rule. It works precisely because it looks so clearly intentional: the top and the trousers or skirt share the same colour and the same knit, which makes the look calm and polished.

There are two directions. The set with a jumper and a mini skirt is the smart version for an evening out or a weekend in town, with loafers and a structured bag. The set with a jumper and trousers is the comfortable version, and with a coat on top and closed shoes it also works outside the house. You will find the mini-skirt set in women's tops and the trouser sets in sets.

Jumpers for men: crew neck, V-neck and the half-zip

For men, a second rule comes in: the neckline decides what goes underneath, and the weight of the knit decides what goes on top.

The crew-neck jumper is the basic piece, because it goes with almost everything: jeans, chinos and a blazer. If you wear a shirt underneath, let the collar come neatly out of the neckline and the cuffs show a finger's width below the sleeves. The V-neck jumper shows the collar and placket of the shirt on its own, which makes it the smarter choice for the office.

The half-zip jumper is the most practical men's piece this autumn, because you adjust it to the temperature in one move. Over a T-shirt with the zip half open, it is a weekend outfit with jeans. Over a polo shirt or a shirt, it becomes an office piece with chinos. The polo jumper with a collar and long sleeves does something similar: it has the look of a shirt and the comfort of a jumper. You will find men's jumpers in men's tops.

The roll neck and the knitted cardigan for men

The men's roll neck is best worn on its own. Pair a chunky roll neck with jeans or chinos, with at most an open jacket on top. Under a roomy coat, it even replaces the scarf on cold days.

The men's knitted cardigan with a zip and a stand-up collar is worn like a light jacket over a T-shirt, with jeans or chinos. The classic V-neck cardigan with buttons is the smarter version and works over a shirt like a soft blazer. The sleeveless wool gilet with a zip is the extra layer for cold mornings, over a shirt or under a jacket. You will find these cardigans in men's tops too.

Colours and patterns for autumn

Knitwear looks its best in warm, muted colours. Beige, brown and grey make a calm base, and black makes any knitted piece look smarter. For an accent, deep green, burgundy and a warm khaki work well.

With patterns, the rule is one pattern per outfit. A striped jumper goes with plain trousers and a plain cardigan, but not with a checked shirt.

The most common mistakes

Too much knit at once. A cardigan over a knitted jumper with knitted trousers gives you three textures that cancel each other out. The knitted set is the only exception.

Oversized on top and below. A roomy jumper with wide trousers and no front tuck makes any figure disappear. One clear line in the outfit is enough: at the waist, at the legs or at the wrists, by pushing the sleeves up a little.

A chunky knit under a slim coat. The coat pulls at the arms, and the knit gets flattened. Wear a chunky knit on its own or under a roomy coat.

Knitwear on a hanger. Jumpers and cardigans stretch on a hanger and get bumps at the shoulders. Fold them instead, and dry them flat after washing.

Starting with a single piece? For women, that is a long cardigan; for men, a half-zip jumper. Both go with what is already in your wardrobe. See all jumpers and cardigans for women in women's tops and for men in men's tops.