There are classic jumpers, cool sweaters, and then there’s the Fair Isle jumper – the sort of knitwear that evokes an apres-ski, moneyed vibe that never goes out of style. In my book, that’s one sort of jumper I need to own - and it's all over thehigh street.
From Claudia Winkleman having them in her wardrobe to Princess Kate's cosy Christmas concert Fair Isle sweater, it's the perfect jumper for this cold snap.
- Kate lookalike: Joules Alba Jumper, £69 / $133
- Trending knit: M&S Cable Knit Fair Isle Jumper, £38 / $84.99
- Traditional fair isle jumper: H&M Jacquard Knit, £37.99 / $49.99
- Fair isle cardigan: Hush Brushed Cardigan with Mohair, £112 / $280
- Red fair isle knit: Boden Mario Merino High Neck Jumper, £95.20 / $143.20
It's become the knit du jour on Insta, with influencers styling the M&S Cable Fair Isle Knit with wide leg jeans, layered with plaid shirts and blazers, and sequin skirts - at the last look, it had been added to over 100 shoppers' baskets in the last 48 hours. Not just for Christmas or skiing, see?
© Marks and SpencerOf course, the Fair Isle sweater is nothing new. It isn’t reinventing the fashion wheel, although its more recent iterations include trend-led elements like pops of colour, puffed sleeves, cropped lengths and touches of sparkle if you're that way inclined. But the way in which it’s worn now, is new.
How I chose the best Fair Isle jumpers
- Design: Staying as true to the traditional Fair Isle pattern as possible, I’ve picked sweaters that are on the same track as the Scottish design.
- Style: The majority of products are jumpers, but I’ve found a few other knitted designs to include – all with a Fair Isle pattern – to show how versatile this trend is.
- Fabric: Even though many of those included are made from polyester or less-natural fabrics, I’ve highlighted the ones made from wool, cotton or cashmere.
- Price: You can spend upwards of £200 on a Fair Isle jumper, less than £20. Since budgets differ, you’ll find prices across the spectrum in this edit.
- Trusted brands: As always, I try to include brands I personally shop from, wear and trust. And if it isn’t a brand I’ve tried, it’s one that gets consistently positive, and verified, reviews from shoppers.
Shop the best Fair Isle jumpers for women
1/11
Joules Alba Fair Isle Jumper
© JoulesEditor's note:
"This is so like Princess Kate's, I did a double take. Crafted from a soft and warming cotton-blend, it's a classic version of the timeless knit."
2/11
M&S Cable Knit Fair Isle Jumper
© M&SEditor's note:
"In this season's hottest hue, brown, M&S' cable knit fair isle has a traditional, classic feel with its black, cream and brown yoke design."
3/11
H&M Jacquard Jumper
© H&MEditor's note:
"This is such a traditional design, perfect for the slopes or wearing to the shops."
4/11
Hush Fair Isle Mohair Cardigan
© HushEditor's note:
"I'm so close to pressing the buy button on this stunning fair isle cardigan. I love the tactile, mohair finish, it'll look great with leather trousers or even a sequin skirt."
5/11
Boden Merino Fair Isle Jumper
© BodenEditor's note:
"Boden has an abundance of fair isle jumpers, but it's the classic red fair isle jumper that caught for my eye. Plus its made from 100% premium merino wool, making it warm without the bulk."
6/11
The White Company Blurred Fair Isle Jumper With Alpaca
© The White CompanyEditor's note:
"If you're craving a soft, brushed knit, head to The White Company for this gorgeous fair isle knit, with a super soft, fuzzy feel."
7/11
ASOS Fair Isle Jumper
© ASOSEditor's note:
"I'm all for a pink knit, and ASOS' gloriously pink sweater is hitting the notes of super girly and super practical - it's warm, cosy and oh-so-feminine."
8/11
Brora Lambswool Fair Isle Yoke Polo
© BroraEditor's note:
"This soft, seamless polo neck has been knitted in Scotland using superfine lambswool fibres on a zero-waste whole-garment machine."
9/11
Mint Velvet Fair Isle Sequin Cardigan
© Mint VelvetEditor's note:
"Mint Velvet has added sequins to this fair isle cardigan, in the most gorgeously soft pink tones."
10/11
Nothing Ordinary Blue Check Fair Isle Zip Through Jumper
© NextEditor's note:
"Adding a bit of colour to a winter knit is always welcome, like on this frosty blue fair isle mix. It's an on-trend alternative to a cardigan or jumper, with a zip closure."
11/11
& Other Stories Oversized Fair Isle Jumper
© & Other StoriesEditor's note:
"Wear this oversized fair isle jumper with silk trousers and slim heels or over a silk midi skirt for a laissez-faire look."
How to style a Fair Isle sweater
The multi-coloured knit style knit has been a long time favourite of the royals, from portraits to apres-ski parties, and the classic pattern has stood the test of time to become a classic winter piece that works from the ski lodge to the streets.
© Leanne BayleyFashion stylist and influencer Helen Canning rates the timeless trend: "Fair Isle knitted jumpers have a timeless appeal that transcends fashion trends and generations, giving a homespun heritage feel that we go back to every winter. These often colourful sweaters give a nod to the festive aesthetic without going all-out in a Christmas jumper, which you may only wear once or twice a year."
© InstagramI’m all for wearing a fair isle jumper with your classic jeans, but it’s this season’s embellished denim that I think they look incredible with, especially a charcoal or black fair isle knit. Taking it from the ski lodge to the streets is easy – one would be a more interesting stablemate to a leather skirt, sequin skirt or leather trousers too. Naomi Ross is my absolute inspiration.
Right now, the street style way is to wear a fair isle sweater with classic blue jeans like stylist Gayle Rinkoff and influencer Palina Vii. Another cute way is to wear one layered over a turtleneck or with a pleated midi skit and you can of course save yours to wear with a sequin skirt for those festive holiday parties - it looks so chic, in a nostalgic way. Hallie Abrams is the poster woman for that ensemble, below.
© InstagramThe high street has an abundance of them in the traditional fair isle sweater colours of white, nudes and browns but has also incorporated the pattern on punchy pinks, bold reds and greens, oranges and yellows while using the design on cardigans and zip-up knits.
Royals wearing Fair Isle jumpers
From Princess Diana, who wore her neon pink and lime green incarnation sportingly so with neutral cord trousers, to the modern-day Princess of Wales, Kate, who is no stranger to falling back on a Fair Isle jumper for winter engagements and festive appearances. Proving once again that the fair isle pattern (named after an island in Shetland, northern Scotland, home to the knitting technique) lends itself not just to the slopes – or the apres-ski bar – but the pub, brunch or even for your kids' play date.
We love it when Princess Kate wears something more casual, and like the festive fashion pro she is, a Fair Isle jumper is something she wears year upon year. Kate wore a Holland Cooper Fair Isle sweater in a surprise TV appearance, to read a story on CBeebies’ Bedtime Stories TV show and last Christmastime, to promote a carol concert.
And she also has one from knitwear brand Brora, pictured above, that she falls back on for chilly royal engagements.
Not forgetting Princess Diana, a big fan of the traditional Scottish design.
Plus celebrities love them too. Cat Deeley recently caused a stampede by wearing The White Company's Fair Isle Knit on This Morning, and on the other end of the spectrum, the ever-glam Jennifer Lopez styled a fair isle sweater with a flowing black maxi skirt. That’s a lesson in how to make one into eveningwear, right there.
