From cashmere jumpers to cardigans, roll neck vest tops and polos, there's a wide range on offer – and the hottest days are yet to come.
An Irish summer is the very definition of a mixed bag: sun, two weeks of grey skies, rain, sun, intermittent rain showers, grey skies, hail and perhaps an extra hot day where temperatures soar past the 20°C mark – and that's all within the same day, never mind the same week.
This frustrating unpredictability can ruin socially distanced picnics, trips to the beach and BBQs like no other but worst of all, it can affect our summer wardrobe. You throw on a floral midi dress with open-toed mules and in the blink of an eye, you go from being bold and summery to ill-advised and poorly-dressed. Sure, you could attempt the impossible task of dressing for all weather scenarios. Just be prepared to carry that jumper, lightweight jacket and umbrella for quite some time.
But there is an easier way to dressing for whatever summer throws at us. It's called knitwear.
One of the key looks of the summer is easy layering, and nothing is as easy to layer as a loose-fitting cardigan that slides delicately off the shoulder, or a cable-knit jumper worn neatly over a peter pan collar blouse and tucked into jeans or a simple ribbed sweater dress paired with mules.
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THE CARDIGAN
While the cardigan scene has been largely dominated by oversized styles, the trend is now taking a more elegant turn with defined belted waistlines.
Wrap Cardigan, €49, & Other Stories
Cashmere Cardigan, €59.99, H&M
Fitted Wrap Cardigan, €59, & Other Stories
THE polo
It may be golfing attire, but the humble polo shirt has been given a fashionable overhaul with sharp collars and elongated fastenings.
the sleeveless knit
A sleeveless knit is one of the most useful layering tools to have in your summer wardrobe. They may remind us of our granddad's wardrobe, but isn't that what's so great about them?
Knit Cropped Waist Coat, €29.95, Zara
Knitted Vest, €19.99, Stradivarious
Buttoned knit gilet-style top, €15.99, Stradivarious
THE DRESS
The humble sweaterdress is back on the fashion scene, thank goodness. Given that they work so excellently with a pair of open-toed mules or a knee high boot when the weather thinks it's really November, it's the perfect timing for a jumper dress comeback. They're so easy to wear and just so stretchy (read: comfortable). A knitted dress will take you from the pub to the park to the office and back again.
STRAPPY KNIT MIDI DRESS, €29.95, ZARA
Rib-knit dress, €49.99, H&M
Cotton Geometric Micro Knit Dress, €79, & Other Stories
the embroided knit
Florals for summer mightn't be groundbreaking but, sweetly embroidered onto jumpers and cardigans, they seamlessly bridge the gap between winter and summer.
Floral Crotchet Sweater, €49.95, Zara
THE CO-ORD
Katie Holmes sent the fashion circuit into a frenzy last year when she stepped out sporting a cashmere knitted bralette and matching cardigan combination. Since then Holmes has soared in sartorial status (some even refer to her as a cardigan influencer now) and just like that, the “Bradigan” became a highly-coveted wardrobe staple. Now knitted co-ords come in all shapes and sizes, from the aforementioned bradigans to matching shorts and jumper - it's time to invest in a knitted set.
Striped Knit Set: Shorts, €19.95, Zara; Cardigan, €39.95, Zara
Pointelle Cardigan & Cami Twin Set, €55, Urban Outfitters
Knit 3 Piece Set: Cropped Cardigan, €25.95, Zara; Knit Top with straps, €19.95, Zara; Midi Skirt, €29.95, Zara
Main image by @amaka.hamelijnck on Instagram
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