Layer Up: 5 Ways to Wear Vintage Knitwear

The best cold-weather outfits are built one layer at a time. Start with a piece you love, add something with a different texture or shape and finish with a cosy layer you can wrap yourself in. Here are five easy ways to make vintage knitwear your own.

1. Shirt first, spencer second

Button up a designer shirt and pull a spencer over the top. Let the collar and cuffs show, then add chinos for a relaxed preppy feel. Swap them for flares to give the look a little more seventies.

2. Mix fine knits with chunky ones

Begin with a lightweight lambswool sweater, then layer a roomier cable knit over it. The finer layer keeps you warm without adding too much bulk, while the cable knit brings texture and a lovely lived-in feel.

3. Keep the silhouette in balance

Wearing a generous, oversized knit? Pair it with a flare for an easy shape that feels considered but never too polished. If your knit is more fitted, try it with looser jeans. A small tuck at the front can help bring the outfit together.

4. Let color peek through

Layer a bright or patterned designer shirt under a simple vintage knit. A flash of colour at the collar, cuffs or hem adds interest without taking over the outfit. Or start with a colourful knit and keep the rest of your look understated.

5. Finish with a wrap

Drape a thick scarf over your shoulders as your final layer. It adds another texture to the mix and is easy to wrap around when the temperature drops. Think of it as the piece you'll reach for on the way out and keep close when you get home.

Remember: there's no need to match every layer perfectly. Combine the knits, shirts, shapes and colors you love, let a detail or two show and make the outfit feel like yours. Find these pieces in our stores, try on a few combinations and let our team help you create a layered look that feels entirely your own.