Outfit Post: A Fairisle Dress and Jumpers Without Wool

It’s been windy, wet and wild for the last two days here in the UK, so it seems timely to start my annual search for wool-less (as opposed to woolly) jumpers. Very few things irritate me, in any sense of the word, but wool of every description does (cashmere, alpaca, Merino, angora etc). So, I spend a lot of time squinting at garment labels to see the fabric composition.

I’ve been caught unawares before and have unknowingly worn jumpers containing wool. Undoubtedly, warmer than cotton, but rather useless if  I’m immediately desperate to rip it off. Years ago, before I got wise to stealth wool, I remember Christmas shopping, an activity high up on my favourite activities list, yet feeling inexplicably out of sorts. It transpired there was 5% wool in my sweater, leaving me with “no choice” but to buy a new top into which I changed immediately.

I like to be able to wear a coat or jacket over mine for the many hours I spend pitch side, so I look for slim fitting styles that aren’t too bulky. It means that they can be worn comfortably indoors too.

I started this year’s search at Fat Face, from where I got some gems last year. I wore and wore them and in common with most knitted items, they became bobbly so now need replacing.
As expected there is a good selection.

This one has a dipped hem and comes in phantom (a dark grey) and navy as shown here.

Fairisle Hem Jumper £38

And how gorgeous is this (100% cotton) Fairisle jumper? Also in berry.
I’m almost wishing for snow to go and out and trample in, arm in arm with…
Um, I digress.

Florrie Fairisle Yoke Jumper £40

Florrie Fairisle Yoke Jumper £40

I love Fairisle, but I know it’s not for everyone, so plainer options include this cable pointelle jumper in a choice of colours.

Ayla Pointelle Jumper £45

My favourite is this blue. No surprises there though. I think one could wear a shirt under this. I’m not ordinarily a denim shirt type of girl, but I think, in this case, a soft denim or chambray would look perfect.

Ayla Pointelle Jumper £45

Plenty more to choose from at Fat Face and worth noting that for a limited time, purchases of over £70 will receive a £20 voucher to use in November or December. Perfect for stocking fillers such as socks, tights or jewellery perhaps?

Fever also have some that caught my eye.

I adore this soft duck-egg blue cable sweater.

Utah Cable Jumper £44.99

This monochrome mix is a contemporary way in which to wear tweed. This one would be perhaps suitable for work too?

Metz Monochrome Jumper £39.99

Onto John Lewis, where there are, literally hundreds. 

I love the shape of this one by Wishbone.

Martha Jumper, by Wishbone at John Lewis £85

And this quirky fox design (also in grey and also available with a badger design) is gorgeous, from Sugarhill Boutiqe. It’s very reminiscent of the Joules Marsha jumpers which have a low wool content. I had one of the Joules ones actually, with a stag on it which I loved, but even with a long-sleeved tee underneath, irritated after a while so off it went to Oxfam.

Sugarhill Boutique at John Lewis, £45

Another intarsia jumper is this bear, which is quite cute for the festive season.

Louche Bear Knit. John Lewis, £45

Between various meetings and phone calls with solicitors/estate agents/mortgage brokers, I popped into Fat Face to take a look at the jumpers and came out with this Fairisle Knitted Dress which I changed into as soon as I got home.
It is a nice to wear something other than skinnies.

It’s football training tonight, but in an indoor sports hall. The boys play 9-a -side and it’s pacy. The ball comes off the wall. A lot. It’s too dangerous to spectate from the side, so I find myself watching from the P.E. store cupboard. With the rest of the parents, who on training nights, all happen to be dads.
Negates the need for layers somewhat.

Love Liz x


Outfit Details

Current Season, October 2014
Fairisle Knitted Dress, Fat Face £48
*Marta Griffin in midnight suede, Clarks