Festive Patterns & Seasonal Knits
Wintry Fair Isle and Nordic jumpers are perfect for the festive season without compromising on style. They work particularly well for smart-casual occasions throughout December, such as work parties and family get-togethers.
What is a Fair Isle Jumper?
Fair Isle jumpers are traditionally made using the Fair Isle knitting technique, whereby two colours per row, and no more than five colours in total, are knitted 'in the round' to create a distinctive pattern. The method originated in the Fair Isle, an island located between Shetland and Orkney, to the north of Scotland. Nowadays, 'Fair Isle' is used to refer to a wider variety of patterns and knits but is typically characterised by dual-tone rows of repeated patterns. Their association with winter has made them a popular choice of Christmas jumper for men, especially in festive colours like red, blue and white.
What is a Nordic jumper?
Nordic or Scandinavian jumpers are styles of knitwear associated with these cold northern-European regions, most notably the countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland. They are similar to Fair Isle jumpers but, generally, only two colours are used across the design.
What to wear with a Nordic jumper?
Nordic jumpers tend to incorporate just two colours and have more simplistic patterns, so you can be more adventurous than with Fair Isle when it comes to the rest of your outfit. Try pairing yours with a Tattersall check shirt and corduroy trousers. A pair of brogues will finish off your ensemble perfectly.
What to wear with a Fair Isle jumper?
Fair Isle jumpers tend to be colourful and heavily patterned, so it's a good idea to keep the rest of your look simple. Wear over a long-sleeved casual shirt, picking out one of the colours from your sweater, and team with chinos. You can also try this look with one of our Fair Isle slip-overs. For a more casual look, try pairing one of our Fair Isle half-zip jumpers with a plain T-shirt and jeans.
All of our Fair Isle and Nordic jumpers are made from 100% lambswool. This wool has more elasticity and strength than other kinds, making it hardwearing and comfortable. And, while it's lightweight, it offers plenty of insulation — perfect for those chilly winter days. Just make sure you wash yours by hand and dry it flat, so it keeps its shape.