Key Takeaways:
- Knitwear works three ways in your wardrobe: as an underpinning piece replacing shirts, as a layering element over other garments, or as a standalone piece
- The over-shoulders rule: a sweater draped over your shoulders should actually fit underneath your jacket, otherwise it looks contrived
- Fine gauge knitwear under unstructured blazers creates a cleaner, more modern look than open-neck shirts in business casual settings
- A chunky cashmere roll neck sweater creates a complete outfit with just four pieces: sweater, trousers, shoes, and overcoat
- Classic V-neck sweaters look more contemporary when proportioned at waistcoat height rather than with deep modern cuts
- Zip collar polo knits offer a fresh alternative to traditional three-button polo shirts in smart casual wardrobes
- Merino roll necks serve as excellent layering pieces under bold sports jackets, letting the jacket be the focal point
- Knitted blazer jackets bridge the gap between knitwear and tailoring, offering the comfort of knitwear with the structure of a blazer
- Knitwear now extends into outerwear with substantial shearling-lined pieces that function as serious cold-weather jackets
- Knitwear serves as a better color vehicle than traditional shirting, allowing for more seasonal and creative color choices
Men's Knitwear Style: Understanding This Wardrobe Category
Men's knitwear style has changed dramatically over the past few years. What was once limited to V-necks, crew necks, and cardigans in a corner department now dominates menswear wardrobes. The question isn't whether you should own knitwear—it's how you should wear it.
Do you know the three ways knitwear actually works in your wardrobe? Most men don't. They buy a sweater, wear it once or twice, and wonder why it doesn't fit into their daily rotation. The problem isn't the knitwear. It's understanding what it can do.
Think about your current wardrobe. You probably have shirts that never get worn, jackets that don't quite work with anything, and a general sense that your smart casual knitwear options feel limited. That's because traditional thinking treats knitwear as one thing: a jumper you throw on when it's cold.
Modern men's knitwear works differently. Fine gauge knitwear replaces shirts under tailoring. Chunky roll neck sweaters create complete outfits with just three other pieces. Knitted blazer jackets blur the line between knitwear and formal tailoring. And knitwear outerwear now rivals traditional overcoats in substance and warmth.
How to wear knitwear isn't about following rules from thirty years ago. V-neck vs crew neck sweater debates miss the point entirely. The real question is: are you using knitwear as an underpinning piece, a layering element, or a standalone garment? Each approach requires different types of knitwear and creates entirely different looks.
This isn't about buying more. It's about understanding what you already own and what gaps actually exist in your wardrobe. Stylish men's sweaters work because they're chosen for a specific purpose, not because they're expensive or trendy.
Are you ready to see how knitwear actually functions in a wardrobe? Let's start with the foundations most men already own but don't know how to use properly.
Traditional V-Neck vs Crew Neck Sweater Options
The V-neck and crew neck debate dominated menswear for decades. Walk into any department store thirty years ago and you'd find entire sections dedicated to these two styles. Lamb's Wool and cashmere in every color. The assumption was simple: V-necks for shirts and ties, crew necks for everything else.
That thinking still influences how men buy knitwear today. But it's outdated. The proportions have changed, the way we wear tailoring has changed, and what we expect from knitwear has changed.
V-necks can look old-fashioned. Not because of the style itself, but because of how they're cut. Modern V-necks tend to go one of two directions: extremely deep or cricket-jumper high. The deep V became trendy in the 1990s and refuses to disappear. Some brands cut them so low they look like waistcoats. That's not classic. That's a trend that aged badly.
The better V-neck sits at waistcoat height. Classic proportions. It leaves enough room for a tie without exposing half your chest. This cut actually looks more contemporary than the deep versions because it's less contrived. You're not trying to make a statement. You're just wearing a sweater that works.
Crew necks have their own issues. For men who grew up in England, crew neck jumpers trigger school uniform memories. That's a hard association to shake. But crew necks have one significant advantage: they're more versatile. You can wear them alone, under jackets, or even with a shirt and tie if you don't mind the more casual look.
Would you wear a crew neck with a shirt and tie? Most styling guides say no. The reasoning is sound—the crew neck covers where a tie naturally sits, creating visual awkwardness. But real life doesn't always follow styling rules. On a changeable day, you might throw a crew neck sweater over your shoulders. If it gets cold, you put it on. The look isn't styled. It's practical. And that's exactly why it works.
The key difference isn't which style you choose. It's understanding that both have become underpinning pieces in modern wardrobes rather than statement items. Fine gauge versions of both styles now compete directly with shirts. Heavier versions work as standalone pieces. The neckline matters less than the weight and texture of the knit.
Crew necks edge ahead for most men because they're less associated with formal dressing. They look intentional when worn without a shirt underneath. V-necks still carry that "I'm wearing this because I have to wear a tie" association, even when you're not wearing a tie at all.
The Over-Shoulders Rule: Does Your Knitwear Actually Fit?
Sweaters draped over shoulders look good. Until they don't. The line between considered and contrived is thinner than most men realize. And it comes down to one simple question: would that sweater actually fit under the jacket?
This matters because knitwear over shoulders only works when it's uncontrived. The look should suggest you wore the sweater earlier, got warm, and casually draped it over your shoulders. Not that you spent twenty minutes positioning it for maximum effect.
Here's the test: if you can't physically wear the sweater under the jacket, you shouldn't be draping it over the jacket. A chunky six-ply cable knit over a slim-fitting lightweight suit fails this test immediately. The sweater wouldn't fit under the jacket even if you wanted it to. The sleeves would bunch. The shoulders would strain. You'd look ridiculous.
That's the tell. When someone wears a sweater over their shoulders that clearly wouldn't fit underneath, they're posing. They want the look without understanding why the look works. Challenge anyone you see doing this. Ask them to put the sweater on. If it doesn't fit under the jacket, they've failed the knitwear over shoulders rule.
The sweater must work with what you're wearing. Proportions matter. A lightweight merino crew neck over a relaxed unstructured blazer works because both pieces share the same design philosophy. They're cut for comfort and movement. The sweater slides on and off without disrupting the jacket.
Fabric weight creates problems faster than anything else. Heavy knitwear demands space. If your jacket is tailored close to the body, heavy knitwear won't fit. Not comfortably. Not properly. The solution isn't to drape it anyway. It's to choose knitwear that matches your tailoring.
This applies to styling too. When you're putting outfits together and you want to add a sweater over the shoulders, think about the scenario. Did this person leave home wearing the sweater? Did the temperature rise ten degrees? Did they take it off and drape it because it made sense in the moment?
Or did they grab a sweater from the wardrobe that coordinates with their outfit, regardless of whether they'd ever actually wear it? That's the difference. One tells a story. The other just looks styled.
The over-shoulders approach works best with shirt-and-tie combinations. You went out in your shirt and tie. The weather changed. You grabbed a sweater. That's believable. That's why the look doesn't feel forced. It could actually happen.
So before you drape that sweater over your shoulders, ask yourself: does this actually fit under my jacket? If the answer is no, leave it in the wardrobe. If the answer is yes, you're doing it right.
Fine Gauge Knitwear Under Tailoring: Wearing Knitwear Instead of Shirts
Fine gauge knitwear changes how tailoring works. It's not a layering piece anymore. It's the underpinning piece. The thing you wear instead of a shirt.
This shift matters because it solves a problem most men don't realize they have. Open-neck shirts under jackets look messy. The placket creates visual clutter. Buttons sit awkwardly. The collar either cooperates or it doesn't, and most of the time it doesn't. You end up fussing with it throughout the day.
A plain crew neck in fine gauge knitwear eliminates all of that. Clean front. No placket. No buttons. No collar to manage. You get a smooth, considered look that reads as more intentional than an open-neck shirt ever could.
The key is pairing it with the right jacket. Unstructured blazers work best because they share the same relaxed philosophy. Soft shoulders, minimal padding, fabrics that move with you. When you combine fine gauge knitwear with this type of tailoring, the entire outfit feels cohesive. Nothing fights for attention.
Would you wear this with a business suit? That depends on how you define business. Traditional banking and law environments still expect shirts and ties. But creative industries, tech companies, and modern workplaces have moved past those requirements. Fine gauge knitwear under a suit works perfectly well in those settings. It looks smarter than an open-neck shirt. More put together. More considered.
The styling choice also opens up color options. Shirts typically come in white, blue, or cream. Safe. Predictable. Boring. Knitwear gives you access to seasonal colors. Deeper blues. Rich burgundies. Olive greens. Colors that would look forced in a shirt suddenly work because knitwear as an underpinning piece functions as a color vehicle.
This approach looks modern without trying too hard. You're not making a statement. You're just wearing knitwear the way it's meant to be worn now. As a replacement for shirting, not as an addition to it.
The gauge matters more than you'd think. Fine gauge knitwear sits close to the body without adding bulk. It slides under a jacket the same way a shirt does. Heavier gauges create problems. They bunch. They add volume where you don't want it. They make the jacket fit differently.
When you wear fine gauge knitwear instead of a shirt, you could still layer a shirt underneath if you wanted to. But that defeats the purpose. The whole point is simplification. Fewer layers. Cleaner lines. Less to think about in the morning.
This look also solves the eternal problem of what to wear when you don't want formality but need to look professional. A fine gauge crew neck under an unstructured blazer hits that balance perfectly. You're dressed up enough for meetings. Dressed down enough for everything else.
The open-neck white shirt has become lazy. Everyone defaults to it because it's safe. Fine gauge knitwear takes more thought, but not much more. And the result looks significantly better.
Zip Collar Polo Knit: A Different Take on Polo Shirts
Zip collar polo knits sit somewhere between traditional polo shirts and quarter-zip sweaters. They're not trying to be either. They're their own thing.
The style started appearing more in summer versions with short sleeves. Long sleeve versions took longer to catch on, but they work better. The zip adds a design detail that three-button polos lack. It's subtle. It's functional. And it gives the piece enough visual interest to stand on its own.
This isn't a layering piece. You wouldn't wear a shirt underneath it. The collar sits too close to the neck. It's designed to be worn directly against the skin. That's the point. It's a standalone piece that doesn't need anything else.
Quarter-zip sweaters try to do something similar, but they've become too common. Everyone owns one. They've lost their impact. The zip collar polo knit offers the same functionality without the same associations. It feels fresher because fewer people are wearing it.
The styling works best when you keep it simple. Slim fit trousers. Simple black loafers. Maybe a colored sock if you want to add personality. But nothing too complicated. The zip detail already creates a focal point. You don't need to compete with it.
Grey works particularly well for this style. The zip hardware stands out against the fabric. It catches light. It draws the eye without being obvious about it. When someone sees you dressed like this, they register that you've made considered choices. You're not just throwing clothes on.
Would you wear this in a business setting? That depends on your workplace. Conservative offices probably aren't ready for it. But creative industries, tech companies, and modern workplaces would see this as entirely appropriate. It's business casual without being boring.
The fit matters more than with traditional polos. A zip collar polo knit needs to sit close to the body without being tight. Too loose and it looks sloppy. Too tight and the zip pulls awkwardly. The right fit creates clean lines that work with tailored trousers.
This style updates the 1990s knit-and-slim-suit look without copying it. That era had the right idea but pushed proportions too far. Everything was too tight. Too styled. Too deliberate. The modern version relaxes the fit slightly while keeping the same silhouette.
The zip collar polo knit proves that small design changes make significant differences. Take a traditional polo shirt. Add a zip. Change the collar construction slightly. Suddenly you have something that feels current without being trendy.
It's not for everyone. Some men prefer the simplicity of a crew neck. Others want the tradition of a button polo. But if you're looking for something different that still works within smart casual parameters, this style delivers.
Chunky Roll Neck Sweater: A Simple Four-Piece Outfit
Chunky roll neck sweaters do something most knitwear can't. They create a complete outfit by themselves. No shirt needed. No tie. No layers. Just the sweater, and suddenly you look put together.
This works because of presence. A chunky cashmere cable knit has weight. It has texture. It fills space in a way that fine gauge knitwear doesn't. When you wear it, people see the sweater first. Everything else supports it.
The four-piece outfit formula is simple. Good trousers. Chunky sweater. Nice shoes. Overcoat. That's it. Four pieces. No thinking required. No coordination stress. No wondering if you've made the right choices. You have.
Flannel trousers work particularly well because they match the weight of the sweater. Both pieces have substance. Both feel substantial when you touch them. That creates visual balance. Lightweight trousers with a chunky sweater looks wrong. The proportions don't match.
Chelsea boots or loafers complete the look. The footwear doesn't need to make a statement. It just needs to be clean and well-maintained. The sweater is already doing the heavy lifting. Your shoes just need to not ruin it.
An overcoat turns this into an outfit that works for almost any smart casual occasion. Dinner. Theatre. Meetings. Events. The overcoat adds formality without requiring you to change what's underneath. The chunky sweater holds up. It doesn't disappear under the coat the way lighter knitwear might.
This is why luxury cashmere knitwear in this style makes sense as an investment. You're not buying it to wear occasionally. You're buying it to build entire outfits around. One good piece creates multiple wearing opportunities.
The roll neck eliminates the need for anything around your neck. No scarf required. No neckchief. Nothing. The collar provides enough coverage and visual interest on its own. That's the advantage over crew necks. Crew necks sometimes look bare at the neck. Roll necks never do.
Cable knit textures add another dimension. The pattern creates movement across the fabric. Light catches it differently than plain knits. From a distance, it reads as texture rather than pattern. That's important. Patterns can date. Texture doesn't.
Would you layer this under a jacket? No. That's not what it's for. This is outerwear that replaces a jacket. When you put on a chunky roll neck, you're making a choice. The sweater is the statement piece. Everything else stays simple.
For men looking to upgrade their casual wardrobe without buying dozens of pieces, this is where to start. One excellent chunky roll neck sweater does more work than five mediocre crew necks. It looks expensive even when you're just wearing it with jeans. It looks considered even when you threw it on without thinking.
Simple dressing doesn't mean boring dressing. It means understanding which pieces do the work for you. A chunky roll neck sweater is one of those pieces.
Knitwear Layering with Roll Necks and Sports Jackets
Merino roll necks work differently than chunky versions. They're thinner. Lighter. Designed to sit under other layers rather than stand alone. This makes them one of the most useful pieces in any wardrobe.
The beauty of a simple merino roll neck is versatility. It goes under anything. Sports jackets. Blazers. Unstructured coats. Even suits if the occasion allows. The roll neck provides coverage at the collar without adding bulk. That's the critical difference from crew necks or V-necks.
When you're wearing a bold sports jacket, the roll neck becomes your solution. Patterned jackets create styling challenges. Which shirt works? Which tie? Does the combination look too busy? Too safe? Too boring? A plain roll neck eliminates all of those questions.
The jacket becomes the hero. The roll neck supports it without competing. This matters more than most men realize. When every piece in an outfit tries to make a statement, nothing stands out. When one piece dominates and everything else supports it, the outfit works.
Roll necks also solve the lazy morning problem. You don't want to think about shirt collars, tie knots, or whether your collar stays are doing their job. A roll neck slides on. It looks deliberate. It looks like you made a choice rather than defaulting to whatever was clean.
Flannel suits with roll necks create particularly strong combinations. The textures work together. Flannel has weight. Merino has softness. Both fabrics feel substantial without being heavy. The overall effect reads as considered and seasonal.
Can you wear a roll neck under an overshirt? Yes. The roll neck becomes the base layer. The overshirt adds structure. This creates a smart casual look that's warmer than just wearing the overshirt alone. The layering adds depth without looking bulky.
Color choices matter with knitwear layering more than with standalone pieces. When you're wearing a roll neck under a jacket, the color either complements the jacket or it clashes. Neutral colors work almost always. Navy, grey, black, cream. These create clean combinations that don't require thought.
Seasonal colors work when the jacket is neutral. A burgundy roll neck under a grey sports jacket makes sense. A mustard roll neck under a navy blazer creates interest. But a green roll neck under a brown tweed jacket might push too far into autumn cliche territory.
The roll neck also works with suits in business environments that have relaxed dress codes. You're not wearing a tie, but you're not wearing an open-neck shirt either. The roll neck splits the difference. It looks intentional rather than casual. Professional rather than sloppy.
Most wardrobes should include at least one plain merino roll neck. It's not exciting. It's not a statement piece. But it's useful in ways that more interesting knitwear isn't. When you need something that just works, this is what you reach for.
Split Neck Designs: Different Neckline Options in Modern Men's Knitwear
Split neck sweaters prove that knitwear design hasn't stopped developing. The style takes a roll neck and adds a crossover detail at the front. It's unexpected. It's fresh. And it shows that necklines don't need to follow established rules.
The crossover creates visual interest without adding complexity. From a distance, it reads as a roll neck. Up close, you notice the detail. That layered effect at the collar adds depth that standard roll necks lack. It makes people look twice.
This works particularly well in melange fabrics. Shetland cashmere blends that mix greys and blues create color depth that plain knits don't have. The more you look at the fabric, the more colors you see. That richness makes the sweater feel more substantial than its weight suggests.
Split necks function as standalone pieces rather than layering elements. The collar detail needs to be visible. Covering it with a jacket defeats the purpose. When you wear this style, you're choosing it as the focal point of your outfit. Everything else stays simple.
Would you wear this with a gilet? Yes. The puffy vest combination works because the gilet doesn't interfere with the neckline. You still see the crossover detail. You still get the visual interest. The vest just adds warmth and another layer of texture.
The styling keeps everything else minimal. Simple trousers. Clean shoes. Maybe a jacket over the shoulders if the temperature drops. But nothing that competes with the modern men's knitwear neckline. That's the star. Everything else supports it.
This style also demonstrates why knitwear has overtaken shirting in terms of design innovation. Shirts are stuck. They've become commodities. Non-iron finishes and online ordering have reduced them to functional basics. Nobody talks about how you wear shirts anymore. They talk about how you wash them.
Knitwear moves in the opposite direction. Designers experiment with necklines, textures, weights, and constructions. Split necks. Zip collars. Exaggerated roll necks. Half-button plackets. The category keeps developing because people actually care about how they look, not just how they wash.
The color options in melange fabrics also expand what's possible. A solid grey sweater is fine. A melange that blends grey, blue, and subtle denim tones creates depth. It works with more colors in your wardrobe because it contains multiple shades within itself.
Later in the season, you can swap the blue tones for charcoals and deeper greys. The same neckline style works year-round. You're just adjusting the color palette to match the weather and your wardrobe rotation.
Split neck designs won't appeal to everyone. Some men prefer simplicity. They want crew necks or roll necks without additional details. But for men who want something different without going too far outside traditional parameters, this delivers. It's interesting without being weird. Distinctive without being attention-seeking.
The market for these styles is growing. More retailers stock them. More brands design them. That suggests men are ready for knitwear that does more than just keep them warm. They want pieces that add something to their wardrobes beyond basic functionality.
Knitted Blazer Jacket: Knitwear in Jacket Form
Knitted blazer jackets blur the line between knitwear and tailoring. The fabric is entirely knitted. One hundred percent wool. But it's cut like a blazer. Structured like a blazer. Worn like a blazer. Except it feels completely different.
This isn't a cardigan pretending to be a jacket. It's a proper blazer that happens to be made from knitted fabric. The sleeves have linings. The construction follows tailoring principles. But wearing it feels closer to putting on a sweater than putting on a suit jacket.
The progression from unstructured jackets makes sense. Tailoring kept getting softer. Less padding. Less structure. Lighter fabrics. The knitted blazer is the logical next step. Why not make the entire thing from knitwear if comfort is the goal?
The collar design adds versatility. You can pop it up for a more casual, officer-jacket look. Or fold it down to create traditional lapels. That flexibility means one piece works in multiple contexts. Folded down with a shirt and tie for work. Popped up with a crew neck for weekends.
Styling this with a Bengal striped shirt and navy tie grounds it in tradition. The shirt and tie combination is conservative. Classic. That balance keeps the knitted blazer jacket from looking too experimental. You're pushing boundaries, but not abandoning them entirely.
Grey flannel trousers complete the business casual approach. Not your traditional grey flannels though. These are softer. They have stretch. They're cut from jersey or piano cloth rather than traditional worsted flannel. The texture complements the knitted jacket rather than contrasting with it.
Would you wear this in a traditional office? Probably not yet. Banking, law, and formal corporate environments still expect proper tailoring. But creative industries, tech companies, and modern workplaces would see this as entirely appropriate. It reads as professional without being stuffy.
The footwear matters more than with standard blazers. Traditional Oxford shoes might look too formal. The jacket is too relaxed for that level of formality. Loafers work better. Suede or leather, either works. The key is keeping the shoes elegant without being rigid.
Some men will prefer high-top sneakers. Clean leather high-tops in neutral colors create a contemporary look that still works in professional settings. That's pushing further than most men are comfortable with, but it's not wrong. It's just different.
The knitted blazer proves that knitwear is taking over categories that tailoring used to dominate. First it replaced shirts as underpinning pieces. Now it's replacing jackets. The question isn't whether this trend will continue. It's how far it will go.
Comfort drives this shift. Men want clothes that feel good. Proper tailoring, especially structured tailoring, comes with compromises. It restricts movement. It requires maintenance. It demands attention to fit. Knitted blazers eliminate most of those issues while maintaining professional appearance.
This won't replace traditional blazers. But it doesn't need to. It just needs to offer an alternative for men who want something different. Something that feels better while still looking appropriate. That's exactly what it does.
Knitwear Outerwear: Shearling-Lined Knitted Pieces
Knitwear outerwear represents the final stage of knitwear taking over the wardrobe. It's not a layering piece anymore. It's not something you wear under a coat. It is the coat.
These pieces are substantial. Heavy wool-cashmere knit on the outside. Full shearling lining on the inside. Leather trims at the details. When you pick one up, you feel the weight. This isn't a sweater pretending to be outerwear. It's genuine outerwear that happens to be knitted.
The construction matters. The knit provides flexibility that woven fabrics don't have. It moves with you. It stretches slightly when you need it to. But the shearling lining adds insulation that regular knitwear lacks. You're getting warmth that rivals traditional overcoats.
This solves a problem that chunky sweaters create. Chunky roll necks look great, but they're not warm enough for truly cold weather. You end up layering a coat over them. Knitted outerwear eliminates that need. The piece itself provides enough warmth. Nothing else required.
Leather trims add durability at stress points. Elbows. Shoulders. Pockets. These areas take wear. Leather reinforcement means the piece lasts longer than it would with knit-only construction. It also adds visual interest. The contrast between knit texture and smooth leather creates depth.
Would you wear this in place of a traditional overcoat? That depends on context. Formal occasions still call for proper coats. Business settings might expect traditional outerwear. But for everything else, knitwear outerwear delivers warmth and style without the weight and restriction of structured coats.
The styling options expand when your outerwear is knitted. You can wear it over chunky sweaters without looking bulky. The knit-on-knit combination works because both pieces share texture families. A traditional overcoat over a chunky sweater adds too much volume. Knitted outerwear doesn't.
Color choices in these pieces tend toward neutrals. Charcoal. Navy. Deep brown. That's practical. Outerwear needs to work with everything in your wardrobe. Bold colors limit wearing opportunities. Neutrals expand them.
The shearling lining creates a luxury feel that regular knitwear can't match. When you put it on, you notice the softness against your skin. That tactile quality matters. Clothes that feel good get worn more often. Clothes that feel mediocre stay in the wardrobe.
These pieces also work across seasons better than you'd expect. Early autumn when evenings get cold but days stay warm. Late spring when mornings require layers. Deep winter when you need serious insulation. The knit construction adapts to temperature changes more effectively than rigid fabrics.
Next season might bring knitted overcoats. Full-length. Proper outerwear in entirely knitted construction. The technology exists. The market interest exists. It's just a matter of brands committing to production.
For now, these shearling-lined knitted jackets represent the furthest knitwear has pushed into outerwear territory. They're substantial enough to replace coats in most situations. Warm enough for serious cold. Stylish enough to anchor outfits rather than just complete them.
Knitwear started as an underpinning piece. Then it became a layering element. Then a standalone garment. Now it's outerwear. The progression shows no signs of stopping. If anything, it's accelerating.
Custom Tailored Suits from Westwood Hart
We understand that knitwear has changed how men approach their wardrobes. But tailoring still matters. When you need a suit that actually fits, when you want fabric quality that lasts, when you're tired of off-the-rack compromises, custom tailoring delivers.
At Westwood Hart, we've built our online configurator to make custom suits and sport coats accessible. You choose the fabric. You select the details. You input your measurements. We handle the rest. The result is tailoring that fits your body and your life.
Our fabric selection includes everything from everyday business suits to luxury options. Vitale Barberis Canonico. Loro Piana. Dormeuil. These aren't just names. They're mills that have perfected their craft over generations. The difference in how the fabric feels, how it drapes, how it wears over time—that's real.
The configurator lets you customize everything. Lapel width. Button stance. Pocket styles. Lining choices. Trouser pleats. Even the smallest details that most men never think about until they realize those details change how the suit works.
We're not trying to replace your knitwear. We're giving you options for when knitwear isn't enough. Job interviews. Weddings. Court appearances. Important meetings. These situations still demand proper tailoring. They always will.
Design your suit today. Use our online configurator. Get something that fits properly instead of almost fits. Something that works with your body instead of against it. Something that makes you look like you know what you're doing.
Visit Westwood Hart. Start designing. See what custom tailoring actually means when it's done right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between wearing a V-neck and a crew neck sweater?
V-necks work best with shirts and ties when cut at waistcoat height, while crew necks offer more versatility for wearing alone or under jackets. Crew necks have become more popular because they look intentional without shirts underneath, whereas V-necks still carry formal associations even in casual settings.
Can you wear a sweater over your shoulders with any jacket?
No. The sweater must actually fit underneath the jacket for the look to work. If a chunky cable knit won't fit under your slim-fitting suit jacket, draping it over your shoulders looks contrived. The sweater and jacket need to share similar proportions and fabric weights.
Is it acceptable to wear knitwear instead of a shirt in business settings?
Fine gauge knitwear under blazers works in modern business environments that have moved past strict dress codes. Traditional banking and law offices still expect shirts and ties, but creative industries and tech companies accept knitwear as professional attire. The key is pairing it with proper tailoring.
What makes a chunky roll neck sweater worth the investment?
A quality chunky roll neck creates complete outfits with just four pieces: the sweater, trousers, shoes, and an overcoat. It has enough presence to stand alone without requiring shirts or additional layers. Cashmere versions last for years and work across multiple occasions.
How do you style a knitted blazer for work?
Pair it with conservative elements like Bengal striped shirts and navy ties to balance the casual nature of the knit. Grey flannel trousers with slight stretch complement the relaxed feel. Loafers work better than formal Oxfords. The combination reads as professional without being stuffy.
When should you choose knitwear outerwear over a traditional overcoat?
Shearling-lined knitted outerwear works for most casual and smart casual situations. It provides similar warmth to traditional coats with more flexibility and comfort. Reserve traditional overcoats for formal occasions and strict business environments where proper outerwear is expected.
What colors work best for layering knitwear under jackets?
Neutral colors like navy, grey, black, and cream work with almost any jacket. Seasonal colors like burgundy or mustard work when paired with neutral jackets. Avoid matching strong colors in both the knitwear and jacket, as this creates too much visual competition.
Are split neck sweaters practical or just a style trend?
Split neck designs function as standalone pieces that add visual interest without requiring complex styling. The crossover detail makes them distinctive enough to anchor outfits while remaining wearable across seasons. They work particularly well in melange fabrics that blend multiple color tones.