Cozy and Warm Winter Style with Knitwear

The chilly air you feel when you wake up in the morning.

Today, I'll wear that warm, favorite knit of mine.

I think most people decide what to wear each day based on

the weather and temperature, but on cold winter days, knitwear

is something we reach for more often.

That soft, fluffy touch, and the feeling of being wrapped up when you wear it.

After all, without a favorite knit, you can't fully enjoy winter fashion.

That said, when we say "knit," it covers materials like wool and yak,

compact silhouettes that fit neatly or oversized silhouettes,

colors, patterns, knit stitches—the variety is endless.

Have you found your favorite knit for this winter yet?

From the many knit items featured on ZUTTO,

we'll show you some cozy, warm winter looks. 

First, let's clarify the definition of "knit."

Regardless of material or shape, "knit" is a general term for "knitted fabric."

In other words, knitting refers to fabric created by forming loops with a single thread.

The sweaters and cardigans we often wear in winter are knits,

and mufflers and hats made by knitting are also "knits."

Furthermore, cut-and-sew items like T-shirts worn in summer, made by knitting cotton thread,

are still knits at their core. 

That said, when we hear "knit," we naturally think of winter clothing.

Winter knits are often distinguished by material,

such as wool knits made from sheep's wool,

alpaca knits made from alpaca down, and cashmere knits.

Among these various materials, you can choose a knit

with a texture and feel that suits you. 

Now, let's consider the pros and cons of knitwear.

Pro: Stretch

As mentioned earlier, knits are made by continuously knitting looped threads

into fabric. Since loops exist both vertically and horizontally,

and they possess stretch, knit garments expand and contract along with the body,

giving them a comfortably fitted quality.

This also creates soft, gentle lines that influence the wearer's overall impression. 

Con: Stretching Out and Losing Shape

The "stretch" that is a pro can sometimes become a con.

If a knit stretches too much, it can't maintain its original shape and loses its form.

The neckline, which loosens from repeated putting on and taking off,

and the cuffs, which get stretched from casually rolling up sleeves, are spots prone to stretching.

Also, heavy or loosely knit items can stretch out

under their own weight, so hanging them on hangers to dry or store is not recommended. 

Why Is Knitwear Warm?

The reason knitwear is warm lies in the "loops" that characterize the fabric.

The connected loops trap air, and further hold a layer of air inside,

which is said to make knit items warmer compared to woven fabrics.

On top of that, the heat retention and moisture absorption properties

of materials like wool and cashmere come into play, and combined with differences

in origin and grade, even the same type of knit product can have different levels of warmth and texture. 

Now that we've deepened our understanding of the knitwear we casually wear every day,

let's put together some coordinated outfits using the knit items featured on ZUTTO, organized by characteristic. 

Model's Height: 157cm

Knit: NORMAN TULLOCH / Crewneck Pullover, Accent Color Red

Bag: ZUTTO / 2-Way Square Bag, Black

Sneakers: pras / SHELLCAP HIGH, KURO/OFF 

This NORMAN TULLOCH knit has beautifully vivid coloring.

Since the top is so vibrant, we kept the skirt, bag, and shoes

in more muted tones for balance.

Since the knit has plenty of room around the width and arms,

we tucked the hem slightly into the bottoms for better balance. 

NORMAN TULLOCH is renowned as a home of sweaters and wool accessories,

spinning thread from raw wool of sheep raised on the Shetland Islands,

and insisting on manufacturing everything—from thread to finished product—in Shetland.

The surface of the knit has been brushed to create a soft, fluffy texture with a feminine quality.

Shetland wool is thicker and more substantial than typical wool,

yet it feels surprisingly light to wear.

Its resilience when held is remarkable, which also makes it resistant to wrinkling. 

Model's Height: 157cm

Knit: Kanata / Shetland Wool Zip-Up Vest

Inner: M.B.L / Drop Shoulder Basque Shirt (MARINE/ECRU) 

This chunky knit vest is paired with borders and denim

for a fully casual look.

With a crossbody bag, this becomes an outfit perfect

for moving around freely even on a trip.

Even though it's a vest, you'll feel plenty warm wearing it,

and the secret is that it's made from Shetland wool.

The tall collar is another point that helps guard against the cold,

It's as warm as wrapping yourself in a muffler.  

KANATA's knitwear is characterized by its plush, chunky-knit stitching.

Carrying on the design of the Cowichan sweater, said to have traditionally been knitted by Canada's indigenous peoples,

KANATA has built its reputation as a brand synonymous with Cowichan sweaters.

Using sturdy wool yarn strong enough to repel water, it blocks cold air and keeps your body warm.

KANATA's knitwear covers all the essentials you want in winter clothing,

and it's packed with the kind of appeal that only comes from items made in a cold region.  

Model height: 157cm

Knit: JOHN SMEDLEY / Men's A3834 Long-Sleeve V-Neck Pullover (RACING GREEN)

Pants: FOB / Slim Straight Denim Pants (sales scheduled to begin in 2017)

Necklace: TO LABO / SECTION PENDANT

Bag: PATRICK STEPHAN / [Special Order] 3-Way Leather Pochette 'enveloppe' BROWN

Shoes: chausser / MUKAVA Inner Wedge Heel Shoes BR  

When a woman wears a size S men's knit slightly oversized,

the result comes out looking lovely.

The shoulder line drops a little and the sleeves run a bit long, giving it a relaxed silhouette.

When wearing a men's-size piece,

it seems best to pull together the accessories, bag, and shoes with more feminine pieces.  

The V-neck knit from JOHN SMEDLEY is

an item synonymous with the brand.

The exquisite degree of its shallow V-neck opening, and

its instantly recognizable high-quality feel, are so distinctive that it's referred to as "SMEDLEY's shallow V."

The finely knitted fabric is known as fine-gauge knit,

and its appeal lies in how the soft, thin yarn is beautifully knitted into shape.

Because the knit is so fine, it has a distinctive sheen and creates a beautiful silhouette.

Model height: 157cm

Knit: C.T.plage / YAK V-Neck Pullover (BLACK)

Inner: twine / Long-Sleeve U-Neck Cut-and-Sew, unbleached

Pants: ZUTTO / Cotton Wool Denim Wide Pants (navy)

Necklace:  I.Ronni Kappos / Necklace 1479

Shoes: chausser / plus by chausser Lace-Up Shoes BL  

A deep V-neck

can take on many different expressions depending on the inner layer you pair with it.

When pairing it with a simple U-neck inner layer,

add impact with a larger necklace.

This knit has a wide, relaxed silhouette, but

even paired with wide pants like this, it doesn't look bulky.

That's because the shoulder area of this knit falls straight down

in a clean line, so it doesn't appear to spread out sideways.

In addition, the hemline is designed to draw an arch rather than a straight line,

which gives it a refined impression.  

This knit, made of 90% yak wool, is characterized by being very warm and not itchy at all.

The plush, thick knit feels wonderful to wear.

Despite being wide and using plenty of yarn, when worn it creates a trim

silhouette, with a beautiful three-dimensional shape even when viewed from the side.

The sleeves are designed a bit long, making it that much warmer.

Design, texture, and comfort — every aspect is outstanding, making this a knit

you'll want to keep wearing carefully for years to come.  

Model height: 157cm

Knit: JOHN SMEDLEY / A3837 Long-Sleeve Crew Neck Cardigan

Pants: ZUTTO / Shetland Wool Linen Gaucho Pants (grayish mocha)

Scarf: angelo stanganini / [Special Order] Scarf 43×43 (orange)

Bag: Zatchels / Satchel Bag 14.5/Navy

Shoes: chausser / plus by chausser Lace-Up Shoes BL

We also recommend the wonderfully indulgent style of layering a cardigan over another cardigan.

For the cardigan underneath, button it all the way up as if it were an inner layer,

and if the cardigan worn on top is one size up, it comes together neatly without looking bulky.

In the image above, both pieces are JOHN SMEDLEY long-sleeve crew neck cardigans

paired together — precisely because the fabric texture and thickness match,

there's a sense of unity even though the colors differ.  

The texture of JOHN SMEDLEY's knits is truly smooth to the touch.

Even though it's wool, there's no need to worry about itchiness, and parts like the cuffs, hem,

and the seams where the body meets the sleeves are all carefully knitted,

so once you put your arms through, it fits your body naturally.

Since it has the classic cardigan silhouette, people of any generation

can wear it without feeling out of place.  

Model height: 163cm

Knit: Letroyes / Collarless Jacket (Latte x Marine)

Pants: ZUTTO / Double Jacquard Tapered Pants (black)

Muffler: CARRAIG DONN／stole

Bag: TRICOTÉ／Pineapple Bag (39 NAVY)

A jacket-style cardigan is quite a rare item in itself,

and it gives off an elegant air even when paired with casual accessories.

Since the knit is white with navy piping,

we styled it here with a striped top underneath for a wintery marine look.

Although it's cut like a jacket, it's knitted, so the wearing feel is soft,

and it's nice that the shoulders don't feel stiff, allowing for relaxed styling. 

Blended with alpaca and wool, its warmth is guaranteed.

The fluffy, curly texture of the fibers gives it a lovely impression,

and of course it pairs elegantly with a skirt,

but you can also enjoy it casually paired with denim.

LETROYES is a knit and cut-and-sew brand that debuted in 2009,

born out of a long-established factory in the Champagne region of France.

This jacket is produced at a skilled partner factory in China,

but it retains the quality materials and refined fit that only a French brand can offer,

carrying a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere along with its freshness. 

Give your knitwear a day off too

A knit item that's been worn for a day has had its fibers roughened up by

friction from coats and bags, disrupting the direction of the fibers.

Also, people sweat even in winter, so moisture builds up in knitwear as well.

If you keep wearing a sweater or other knit item in this state day after day,

it can lead to pilling or become a source of odor.

Make sure to follow a rotation where you rest the garment for a few days after wearing it for one day. 

The basic care for wool is brushing

Brushing helps smooth out fibers that have been disturbed by friction.

Using a brush made of natural fibers such as boar or horse hair,

brush gently with a snap of the wrist.

If you brush too forcefully, you'll end up pulling out the fibers and damaging the texture,

so please be careful. 

Use a steam iron to restore stretched-out areas

Stretching around the neckline or cuffs can be corrected to some extent using a steam iron.

1. Apply the iron's steam to the stretched-out area of your sweater or

cardigan. (Hold the iron slightly above the fabric without touching it directly.)

2. Hold the steamed area of fabric in your hands and gently gather it, as if pulling the stretched part back into shape.

The idea is that the heat from the steam loosens the knit fibers, allowing the shape to be restored.

(Please be careful not to burn yourself.)

3. Lightly iron the areas where the fabric has been gathered by hand.

Check the shape as you go, and once it looks right, you're done.

※Please try this at your own risk. 

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