The best argument for vintage knitwear is simple: modern fast-fashion sweaters are thinner, scratchier and fall apart within a few winters. A 1990s merino or lambswool knit was made to be worn for thirty years — and it shows, in the best way. The question is how to wear it so it looks current, not nostalgic.
1. Tucked into tailored trousers
A fine-gauge merino sweater half-tucked into wool trousers is the easiest route to looking put-together. Add loafers and you're done. Our Polo Ralph Lauren merino sweater was made for exactly this.
2. Over a collared shirt, cuffs out
The classic preppy move still works. Let the shirt collar and a centimetre of cuff peek out from a crewneck. Works with everything from Barbour oxford shirts to a plain white poplin.
3. Under a blazer or coat
A thin wool knit layers far better than a hoodie under tailoring. Try a dark crewneck under a single-breasted coat — our Max Mara black wool coat over any knit in the catalogue is an instant outfit.
4. With denim, obviously
Cable knits and straight-leg jeans are a pairing that never left. Roll the sleeves, add boots. The Ralph Lauren wool and cashmere cable knit is the benchmark.
5. Lagenlook: loose over loose
German and Japanese styling has spent decades proving that oversized-on-oversized works. A boxy lagenlook sweater over wide-leg trousers, finished with chunky shoes. The OSKA pink wool lagenlook sweater is a textbook example.
6. As the statement piece
Let the sweater be the only interesting thing in the outfit: plain black trousers, plain boots, one incredible knit. Fair Isle patterns were built for this — see our short history of the Fair Isle sweater and the Nordstrikk Fair Isle ski sweater.
Every knit in our Knitwear & Sweaters collection is one-of-a-kind and photographed as found — check the measurements on each listing before ordering, and see our vintage sizing guide if you're unsure.