Texan Magazine
By Lisa Dante
Bring a touch of Alpine charm to your wardrobe this holiday season. A Fair Isle patterned sweater is the physical embodiment of cozy weekends in the country. It’s the clothing equivalent of hot cocoa.
In today’s fashion world, the term Fair Isle sweater not only refers to the authentic knit garments originating in Europe, but it’s also used as a general fashion term indicating a certain woven pattern.
There’s no need to plan a ski vacation in order to wear a Fair Isle sweater. You can put away your ugly Christmas sweaters now.
The fact is, these traditional, classic knits really do look good on everyone, and I mean everyone…. no matter your size, age or gender. How many articles of clothing can you say that about? I know you’ve seen them a million times before, but you might not have known the style has a name.
Fair Isle sweaters are a type of knitwear that features a traditional color work technique characterized by the use of multiple colors in small, repeating patterns. Originally created on a small island in Scotland, the knitted craft has been around for centuries. In the 1920s the Prince Of Wales started wearing Fair Isle sweaters in public. The rest of the world embraced the look as a timeless favorite, and here we are a hundred years later and the look is as popular and classic as ever.
The distinctive feature of Fair Isle patterns is that only two colors are used in any given row, with the unused color stranded along the back of the work in small floats. This technique creates a warm and durable fabric while maintaining a relatively smooth surface on the front.
These sweaters are traditionally knit with wool or other natural fibers, but you can find the “Fair Isle” pattern in other sweaters that mimic the design. While traditional Fair Isle patterns have been popular since the beginning of time, modern designers often incorporate contemporary colors and motifs into Fair Isle sweaters creating a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles.
How To Style
Casual chic with jeans or skirted elegance with knee-high boots works great! A cohesive color scene is always stylish. Create a monochromatic look by choosing a Fair Isle sweater in colors that match your pants or skirt. Complete the outfit with neutral accessories and footwear. A cropped sweater looks good with high-waisted jeans to balance the shorter length.
Accessories such as gloves, hats, scarves and socks are also a stylish way to embrace this pattern. The trend is being seen in styles ranging from classic, heritage-inspired knits to contemporary versions with bold colors and updated silhouettes. This fusion creates a nostalgic, cozy and highly individualistic look that has moved from the homey to the high-fashion runway just in time for all of your holiday celebrations and beyond!
